Everyone's asking for 'pixie dust' nails. Here's what you need to know.

The year has only just begun, and my social feeds are already overflowing with fresh manicure ideas — enough to take to my salon appointments for the next few years.

From soap nails to nail crowns, Japanese manis, tints and 'old money' looks, choosing which minimal fingertip style to flaunt next has become quite overwhelming, to say the least.

But just when I thought I had settled on my next mani style, the internet delivered another micro-trend — and I am a tad obsessed.

Enter: 'pixie dust' nails.

Here's everything you need to know about pixie dust nails and why they're about to become your new favourite minimal nail look for 2025.

Watch: Kelly McCarren and Leigh Campbell explain how to get the glossy skin look without highlighter or shimmer. Post continues below.

What are 'pixie dust' nails?

If you were a fan of Hailey Bieber's glazed doughnut nails, you're going to fall in love with this new trend.

Pixie dust nails (also referred to as 'fairy dust' nails) are soft, shimmery and slightly iridescent. They fall somewhere between soap nails with added sparkle and a subtle version of chrome or glitter nails.

The goal of a pixie mani is to make your nails look freshly manicured and clean, with an ethereal shimmer.

What's involved in 'pixie dust' nails?

Your nail artist — or you, since pixie dust nails are relatively easy to DIY — should first focus on meticulous nail prep. Just like with soap nails, it's essential to thoroughly clean the nail beds of any previous polish, buff them until they shine, carefully and neatly trim away rough cuticles, and file the tips so they're perfectly symmetrical.

Once your nails are prepped, it's time to apply one or two coats of your chosen pixie dust polish (limiting the layers keeps the mani looking fresh rather than overly glittery). Finally, seal the look with a high-shine top coat.

If you want, you can bedazzle your nails with a few gems or minimal nail art for more glam.

The best 'pixie dust' nail inspiration.

Here's some pixie dust nail inspiration to take to your next salon appointment. 

Image: Instagram: @melly.k.nails.

Image: Instagram: @matejanova.

Image: Instagram: @melly.k.nails.

Image: Instagram/@matejanova.

Image: Instagram/@overglowedit.

Image: Instagram/@matejanova.

Image: Instagram/@ marninails.

What nail polish colours work well with the 'pixie dust' trend?

Pixie nails look especially refined with light pink, translucent, sheer or milky hues with a very subtle glitter. Below are some of our favourite polishes (including base and top coats) to achieve the perfect pixie nail look.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Unicorn Top Coat, $15.99.

DIOR Vernis Topcoat 008 Bluemania, $47.

WAKEMAKE Nail Gun Glitter in No.57, $10.72.

OPI Infinite Shine Base Coat, $24.95.

Barry M Plumpy Top Coat, $9.95.

Have you tried pixie dust nails? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Feature image: Instagram @melly.k.nails/@matejanova/@witchhandnails.