How To Get The ‘Vanilla Glass’ Nail Look

Signalling a shift towards cleaner, more understated manicures, the Vanilla Glass nail trend takes its cues from celebrity-led minimalism. According to manicurist Julia Diogo, it reflects the same desire driving our obsession with glass skin. “People are seeking the ‘no-manicure manicure’ and opting for translucent finishes over bold bursts of colour as a fresh reset for the New Year,” she explains. Julia describes the look as a natural evolution of the glazed and soap nail eras, citing Sofia Richie’s bridal manicure and Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut nails as key tastemaker moments. “While glazed nails have that pearly chrome finish and soap nails are associated with that soft, milky, diffused effect, this trend is all about simplicity, pairing creamy tones with a glassy, reflective finish. No shimmer, no pearlescence – just pure, glossy clarity.” Fellow manicurist Harriet Westmoreland agrees, noting the trend’s timeless appeal. “Right now, so many of my clients are choosing looks that feel soft, classic and wearable,” Harriet says. “This embodies exactly that – refined, elegant, but still modern. It’s designed to look like a subtle extension of your natural nail colour, giving your nails a healthy, polished finish that works perfectly for every day.” 

“The Vanilla Glass trend looks best on short-to-medium lengths. A soft, ‘squoval’ shape helps it feel polished and modern.” – Faye Louise Dennis, manicurist 

“I personally like a short, clean look – the nail naturally sits more rounded – but if you prefer longer nails, you should absolutely go with what you like and makes you feel confident.” – Harriet 

“Buff the nail plate lightly to smooth over any ridges and push back your cuticles with Navy’s Doris tool. When working with sheer shades, tidy prep makes all the difference to the final result.” – Faye 

“This manicure relies on perfect, precise trimming – any damaged or flooded cuticles and you ruin the look before you start. Using a gentle liquid cuticle remover will softly remove any dead keratin left on the nail plate and ensure your gel or polish doesn’t flood the cuticle walls.” – Julia