beauty

Want to fake glossy, healthier-looking nails? Ask your nail tech for 'rose water nails'.

In breaking manicure news, there's a new nail colour trend you need to try at your next salon appointment.

(Or at home, like, tonight.)

It's called 'rose water nails' and it's the perfect low-effort beauty hack to looking put together and polished.

Maybe you've seen rose water nails on TikTok, Instagram or in the You Beauty Facebook group.

Or perhaps you've clocked Hailey Bieber's now-viral sheer pink manicure. Or Rosé from BLACKPINK (yes, the iconic APT girl) and her signature minimalist beauty aesthetic.

Here's how to get the rose water nails look on your hot little hands, including at-home rose water nail products, plus the exact BIAB shades and gel shades to ask for at your nail appointment.

What are rosewater nails?

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Search for 'rose water nails' or 'rosewater nails' and you'll find sheer pink, healthy, hydrated, glowy nails that basically look like your natural nails, but 100 times better.

This nail colour trend has a fresh, glassy finish that screams "I take my supplements and sleep eight hours a night" (even if you absolutely do not).

It's not as extra as chrome polish, doesn't grow out as obviously as other pinky neutral BIAB or gel manicure shades, yet adds a bit more to your vibe than clear polish.

Celebrity nail artist and Chanel ambassador Betina Goldstein, who regularly works with Rosé, described the look to VOGUE as "like tinted lip gloss for your nails. It adds just a tint of colour but still feels natural."

You'll find this style of manicure all over the feeds of nail artists like Mateja Novakovic and Harriet Westmoreland — open up their profiles if you're ever stuck on what nail shade to try next.

Rose water BIAB and rosewater gel nail shades.

Save this for your next nail appointment! Images: Instagram.

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Rosewater nails are gaining popularity because they're universally flattering.

Your exact BIAB shade or gel/shellac shade will depend on your skin tone, but if your salon stocks Gel Care, there's an actual 'Rose Water' shade.

If they don't, ask for a sheer berry pink with a jelly or glass-like finish. If your nail tech isn't familiar with the term "rosewater nails," screenshot the photos above to show them!

You'll then want to ask your nail tech to build up the polish in thin coats to keep a translucent effect.

How to get rosewater nails, at home.

Want to try rose water nails yourself? It couldn't be easier.

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You really can't mess them up (yep, even if you think you have zero manicure skills to DIY it).

But the best part is they also grow out beautifully, making them the perfect low-effort beauty hack that still looks high-maintenance.

It's low-maintenance without looking lazy, which is a massive tick in our books.

From budget to boujie, here are some of our favourite nail polishes for the rose water nails manicure.

Left to right:

Essie Hard to Resist Nail Strengthener in Pink Tint, $17.95.

Manicurist Active Glow in Blueberry or Cranberry, $27.

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Midnight Dancer, $59.

Dior Vernis Nail Glow, $49.

Canmake Colourful Nails in Natural Pink, $8.80.

OXX Cosmetics Nail Care Base Coat, $2.50.

rose water nailsScreenshot these rose water shade recommendations! Images: Supplied.

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13 manicure trends and 2025 nail art trends to try.

Below, we've rounded up rosewater nails and 13 other manicure trends we're obsessed with right now, so your next nail appointment doesn't end in regret.

Sparkling rosé nails.

Inspired by a chilled glass of your favourite bubbly, sparkling rosé nails are sure to become one of your favourite manis this year.

We especially love it because it levels up the rosewater mani with added sparkle.

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Striped French nails.

Created by nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, this modern twist on the classic French manicure features a nude base and white tips, with the addition of a fine, contrasting stripe along each tip.

You can keep it minimal with neutral shades like white or black, or go bold with bright pops of colour.

Case in point: Dua Lipa recently sported a version with a nude base and vibrant tips in green, pink and orange — each accented by a delicate stripe across the tip for extra flair.

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Opal nails.

Just as the name suggests, opal nails look like the stone they're named after. It's the perfect compromise for those who love milky nails but want something with a little extra shine. In a single nail, you'll see a beautiful balance of nudes, pinks and light blue shades that shimmer as they catch the light.

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Licorice French nails.

Think of this as the little black dress of nail trends — timeless, chic and endlessly wearable. The licorice French mani swaps the classic white tip for black, giving a sleek, modern twist that feels especially right for the cooler months.

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Soap nails.

Getting the 'soap nail' look is intended to make your fingers look freshly manicured and clean all the time (like you just pulled your squeaky clean hands out of a soapy bubble bath), not just five minutes after leaving the salon.

This trend isn't just about the nail colour — instead, it's all about the serious prep. Your nail artist — or yourself, if you decide to go in-house — will need to pay close attention to thoroughly cleaning the nails of any previous polish, buffing them until they shine, carefully and neatly trimming away rough cuticles, and filing the tips so they're perfectly symmetrical. To go the extra mile, a light exfoliation of the hands to rid of any dead skin cells (followed by a hand mask) is always a good idea.

Once they look impeccably clean, that's when you can give them a glow-up with a sheer wash of a glossy polish and topcoat.

You can read everything you need to know about soap nails here.

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Milk nails.

A soft, delicate twist on the '90s French manicure trend, 'milk nails' merge the contrast of the classic signature pale pink and white tip, resulting in a sheer milky shade that looks both polished and expensive. 

The best part about 'milk nails' is that the opacity is completely customisable, depending on what kind of look you want to go for, so feel free to lean into a softer shade or something more opaque. 

You can read everything you need to know about milk nails here.

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Candy floss nails.

While neutrals are all the rage this year (hello, soap and milk nails). It doesn't mean you must resort to a boring hue to get the expensive-looking "old money' manicure look. OK, this isn't a cue to go all out with neons, but if you're looking to explore some colour, you mustn't look past a 'candy floss' shade of pink. 

Celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein recently spotlighted the look on Instagram — and it's the perfect blend of soft colour and subtle luxury. In other words, soap nails but elevated. 

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Cat-eye nails.

Cat-eye nail polish contains iron powder or magnetic particles, which can be manipulated using a special magnet. When the magnet is held close to the wet polish, these particles align to create a streak that shifts and changes as you move your hands. This creates a distinctive line or pattern that gives you the illusion of 3D nails.

From cosmic blues and purples to delicate soft pinks, this look works with any colour (head to any good nail salon and they're guaranteed to have a myriad of hues available).

You can read everything you need to know about cat-eye nails here.

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Foggy French nails.

What's the difference between a regular French mani and a foggy one? Well, instead of sealing the tips with a clear topcoat right away, an extra layer of the base shade is applied on top before finishing. This tones down the sharpness of the tip colour, creating a soft, hazy and foggy, effect — hence the name. 

You can read everything you need to know about foggy French nails here.

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Pixie dust nails.

Glazed doughnut nails walked so pixie dust nails could shimmer. These nails are clean, glossy and sprinkled with a fairy-like iridescence. Think soap nails with a subtle sparkle — perfect if you want shine without going full glitter or chrome.

You can read everything you need to know about pixie dust nails here.

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Peach champagne nails.

We can thank Selena Gomez for starting this trend when she was spotted with it on the red carpet at the Oscars earlier this year. 

Unlike a solid, opaque peach shade, peach champagne nails feature subtle hints of peach, pink and gold. The result is a fresh, feminine and effortlessly classy look that works for any season or occasion, whether it's a wedding, a workday or a long lunch. While peach champagne works with any nail shape, we have to admit almond nails make this look a solid 11 out of 10. 

You can read everything you need to know about peach champagne nails here.

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Nail tints.

Nail tints (also known as nail glows) are like the lip gloss of the manicure world — sheer, shiny and natural-looking. These translucent polishes enhance your nails instead of hiding them, making them ideal for anyone with weak or damaged tips. Bonus: most formulas come with nourishing ingredients like AHAs or almond oil to strengthen and heal your nails from within.

You can read everything you need to know about nail tints here.

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Brazilian nails.

Want your regular polish to look next-level? Ask for a Brazilian manicure. This technique removes every bit of cuticle and applies polish beyond the nail bed — yes, onto the skin.

While it looks messy during the process (chaotic, even), it results in ultra-clean lines once the excess is cleaned up with an acetone-soaked stick. The finish is crisp, neat and salon-level stunning — no gels or acrylics required.

You can read everything you need to know about Brazilian nails here.

@taamibarros

Brazilian manicure #unhasdecoradas #unhasnaturais #videodeunhas #unhas #tutorialdeunhas #unhasfofas #unhascoloridas #unhasbrasil #unhasdasemana #unhasfeitas #nails #unhasfortes

♬ som original - ★𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂 𝑳𝒐𝒃𝒂★

Which one is your favourite manicure trend? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Feature image: Instagram/@lemanoir and @matejanova.

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