The ABCs of Clean Nails
Where does the Clean Girl style come from?
Like most trends these days, the clean girl aesthetic shot to fame on social media. If you’re feeling a bit unsure, don’t worry—we’ve got you: the “Clean Girl Aesthetic” is all about an effortless, well-groomed look with a dewy-fresh complexion, make-up that looks barely there, sleek hair, and of course, beautifully polished natural nails. This look pairs perfectly with the "quiet luxury" trend, where quality and simplicity reign supreme. That means no loud colours or over-the-top nail art—instead, it’s all about glossy finishes, translucent shades and pristine nails that feel polished, elegant and oh-so-natural. This chic manicure style works on both short and long nails, making it a go-to look for any season or outfit. It’s simple to achieve, but it all starts with the right prep. Keep scrolling—we’re spilling all the secrets you’ll need 😉
Perfect prep is everything
The secret to clean nails? It’s all in the prep! Yes, we say this for every manicure, but in this case, it’s absolutely essential. Clean nails mean no jagged edges, no scruffy cuticles—just smooth shapes and neat contours. So, let’s dive into the ultimate routine:
- Start by filing your nails using a natural nail file to create a balanced shape (oval, round, square... not sure? Take a peek at our guide to finding the right nail shape for your hands).
- Soften your cuticles with a little Effective Emollient, then gently push them back using a wooden stick or a cuticle pusher.
- Buff the surface of your nails with a buffer sponge for a silky-smooth canvas.
- Finish by cleansing and removing any oils with the Green™ Nail Cleanser or the Green Flash™ Gentle Remover .
And voilà—your natural nails are prepped to perfection, ready for that gorgeous clean girl manicure. Plus, by smoothing out the nail surface, you're helping your polish last longer and look more even. A touch of prep really does go a long way in giving your manicure that salon-fresh feel!
A 100% clean manicure
Embrace the clean trend inside and out—not just in how your nails look, but in the formulas you choose to create your clean girl nails. With Manucurist, you’re opting for non-toxic polish formulas, free from HEMA (a known allergen), endocrine disruptors, and always vegan and cruelty-free. Plus, they’re made from over 80% bio-sourced ingredients. These polishes care for your hands without compromising on performance—think vibrant colour, glossy shine, and long wear. The result? Clean nails that are just as lovely on the inside as they are on the outside.
Clean nails made easy with the Active™ range
Fancy a clean manicure that looks stunning and nourishes your nails? Say hello to your new must-have: Active™ treatment polishes. These clever all-in-one hybrids—part make-up, part nail care—have already wowed top nail artists at couture houses like Chloé, Acne, Courrèges and Schiaparelli. Super easy to use, they go directly onto bare nails—no base or top coat needed—air-dry quickly, and come off effortlessly with a gentle acetone-free remover.
Active Smooth: the ultimate for a flawless manicure
Dreaming of a CC cream for your nails—one that smooths ridges, evens out the surface and adds a natural glow in a single sweep? Your wish is our command with Active Smooth, a CC-effect treatment polish that doubles as a smoothing base. With up to 75.5% bio-sourced ingredients and high-performance actives, it deeply nourishes the nail. Available in four chic shades—rosy, beige, golden and bronze—it flatters every skin tone and delivers an effortlessly polished look. A tailored result that lovers of nude nails and soap nails will absolutely adore!
(@agatm.nails, @nailsbysylvievacca)
Active Layering: mix, match and create your own look!
Want to level up your clean manicure? Try layering with Active™ treatment polishes. Start with Active Smooth as your base, then add one or two coats of other Active™ shades to build your own custom finish. Here are a few of our fave combos:
- Active Smooth + Active Bright for a subtle brightening boost and delicate shine.
- Active Smooth + Active Shine to create luminous pearl nails.
- Active Smooth + Active Glow Raspberry or Grape for a soft rosy mirror-shine—absolutely perfect for chic soap nails.
- Active Smooth + Active Plump , the first treatment polish enriched with natural collagen, for a plumping effect and a delicate baby-pink glow.
Feel free to play around with different Active™ combinations and layer up coats to enhance shades and effects until you’ve nailed your perfect clean look.
What’s your favourite Active™ combo?
The perfect polish shades
Clean girl nails can be created with both classic polish and Gel Polish. The golden rule? Always begin with well-prepped natural nails. After that, it’s all about the shades. Here’s a curated selection of polish colours from our Green™ and Green Flash™ ranges to help you nail that clean, elevated look.
Translucent polish picks
Milky White: the ultimate milky, sheer polish for perfect white nails. Soft and airy, it evokes the purity of sheer tulle—an ideal bridal polish.
Hortencia: a delicate sheer pink that enhances your natural nails—a go-to base for flawless soap nails.
Pale Rose: a translucent pale pink with a hint of beige, perfect for that trendy no-make-up-manicure effect.
Beige: a crystal-clear nude polish that flatters every skin tone and adds visual length to shorter nails.
(@matejanova)
Soft pinks & nude tones
Pastel Pink: an opaque, creamy pastel pink that delivers a chic, Selena-Gomez-worthy manicure.
Dune: a beige polish with pink and peachy undertones, inspired by sunlight dancing on warm sand—ideal for a clean and minimalist vibe.
Shell Beige: a soft, creamy pink-beige, the perfect in-between shade—think latte meets delicate blush.
Minimalist nail art: subtle details that make all the difference
Looking to elevate your clean nails look without going overboard? Go for understated nail art with simple, refined designs. Here are a few minimalist nail art ideas that are easy to recreate:
Mini French: a delicate white tip painted using the nail art liner brush and Snow, over a base of Active Glow Raspberry for soft, structured nails.
Tiny Dots: sweet and simple, these petite white dots are created with the dotting tool and Snow over Milky White for a minimalist graphic touch that beautifully complements your clean nails.
Glazed effect: add a glossy, pearly shimmer to your Hortencia base with Pink Glazed powder for an ultra-glowy finish inspired by Hailey Bieber’s iconic look.
(@look8thenails, @matejanova)
The clean nails trend is more than just a manicure—it’s a whole mindset: simplicity, self-care and elegance. For that effortlessly chic finish, all you need is thoughtful prep, non-toxic polish, and soft, natural shades. It’s time to embrace clean nails, your way!
