How to Get Lip Gloss Nails—This Summer’s Viral Manicure Trend

Are those lip gloss nails you’re wearing? They should be. The high-shine manicure has overtaken the glazed doughnut trend and the chocolate swirl as the go-to style for this summer.

So, what are lip gloss nails exactly? The hint is in the name. Think of it as lipgloss, but for the nails, with high-shine textures in cutesy pastel pink hues. “The purpose of this look is to enhance your natural nails, making them look healthy and glossy with a subtle glowy tint,” says Emilie Sanscartier, nail artist and founder of cult nail brand Gelcare. “Lipgloss nails are created using sheer, translucent colors, either alone or layered with a coat of micro sparkles.” So far, celebrity fans include Selena Gomez and Hailee Steinfeld.

The key to lip gloss nails lies in the wet-look texture and the soft hue, which encompasses anything from rose water to cotton, but can also include nudes and soft lilacs. It’s fun and fresh, which is why it’s ideal for summer. “Because lipgloss nails are sheer and have a high shine effect, they catch and reflect the sun beautifully,” explains Sanscartier. “And because they are pretty neutral, they are easy to match with any fun, colorful summer outfit. You never have to worry at all about matching your nails to your look, as lip gloss nails go with everything.”

Nail artist Penny Barns is a big proponent of the style, too. “It’s a huge trend this summer,” she says. “It is perfect for keeping your nails looking manicured and glossy for days at the beach.”

To create the look, Barns recommends starting with a clear base onto which you can then apply your chosen sheer color—her favorite is The Gel Bottles’s “gloss” polish. One or two coats should suffice, and Barns advises you should “always finish with a high-shine top coat.”

“I always like to build a gel color by layering three thin coats (rather than two thicker ones) to ensure an even application with maximum shine,” adds Sanscartier. “For a sheer look, pick a transparent color. For a look with a little more coverage, which is great for those who want to hide any imperfections on the nail bed, opt for colors with a milky pigment.” Wanting something dressier? Add a layer of shimmer or sparkle for those balmy summer evenings.