Less is more in the manicure department nowadays. Whether it’s the short, milky nails we saw at Chanel’s Cruise 2024 show, or the shift away from nail art, we’re going naked on our nail beds to start out the new year. There’s no better example of this than manicure icon Jennifer Lopez, whose latest manicure was all about her natural nails–with a shimmering twist.
A new spin on the “lip gloss nails,” the look features a glossy effect, thanks to shimmering particles in the polish that catch the light. Lopez’s longtime manicurist, Tom Bachik, dubbed the look a “New Year’s celestial shimmer nude”. Executed on ballerina-shaped nails, this one is sure to catch on soon.
Here are our favorite elements of the look:
The shape: Ballerina
The ballerina manicure was the most popular short nail shape on the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival last year. It got its name due to the fact that it adopts the same shape as traditional ballet shoes: straight at the tips, oval at the sides. As luxurious as it is discreet, it “fits in perfectly with the quiet luxury aesthetic,” explains Lara Royo, brand manager at Mavala.
The color: Transparent, with shine
“The key to pulling this type of manicure off is to choose a natural but high-shine nail color, and to take care of the cuticles and hands so that they always look perfect,” adds Royo. The result is a barely-there effect which, at first glance, doesn’t appear glazed, simply very well tended to.
