Sure, nail art can be fun—especially spring nail designs like florals and polka dots—but sometimes it’s nice to keep things simple. Manicure minimalists often stick to single-color looks that pair with nearly everything, but there’s a new way to elevate your manicure without committing to intricate nail art. Enter: blurred nails. This minimalist nail trend is taking over with its soft-focus, filtered finish, and everyone is a fan.
Read on to learn all about blurred nails, including how to prep your hands, the best nail polish colors to use and how to create the look at home.
What Are Blurred Nails?
Blurred nails are a softer, more velvety version of a fully mattified manicure. “Blurred nails are all about softening the look of the natural nail,” says New York and New Jersey celebrity manicurist and salon owner Erica De Los Santos. Similar to makeup trends lately, think of this as a your-nails-but-better effect.
While matte nails tend to be more popular in the winter months and paired with darker, moodier colors, blurred nails are their lighter, fresher counterpart. “Think of a sheer pink or milky base topped with matte to kind of ‘blur out’ anything underneath—like ridges, discoloration or uneven tone,” says De Los Santos. “It gives that clean, smooth, filtered finish without looking heavy or overdone. Just really soft, natural and polished.”
How to Prep Hands for Blurred Nails
Because blurred nails are so natural-looking, proper hand, cuticle and nail prep before the polish even touches your nails is “everything,” says De Los Santos. “Push back the cuticles, clean up any excess and shape the nail so everything looks neat and even.”
Once you’ve done this essential prep, it’s time to move on to polish and top coat. After your manicure, using a good cuticle oil and hand cream to keep your hands moisturized will help your manicure look fresh for longer.
How to Do Blurred Nails At Home
Beyond looking incredibly chic, one of the best parts of the blurred nails trend is how easy it is to recreate at home. Even nail DIY beginners can try this for themselves. “I keep it simple—two thin coats of a sheer pink or milky base, then finish with a matte top coat,” says De Los Santos. And that’s it. “That matte is what really softens everything and gives that blurred, smooth look,” she adds.
As for what shades to use specifically, it’s largely up to you. “Anything sheer, milky or soft pink is going to give you that blurred effect,” says De Los Santos. To help prep your nails for polish, one of her favorites is Essie To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair ($12)—“it gives that look while also helping repair the nail, especially if you’re coming out of gel,” she notes. She also uses Chanel La Base Camélia ($34) and Dior Base Vernis ($34), both of which “give that same soft, diffused finish that makes the nail look really clean and healthy,” she says.
As easy as the trend is, make sure you have the proper materials beforehand. Many people may not have a matte top coat at home, so be sure to pick one up if needed. “For that true blurred effect, the finish matters—use a matte top coat,” says De Los Santos. They’re easy to find, but most people have glossy top coats at home and will need to invest in a matte one for the best results. “You want it to dry really velvety, not shiny at all,” she adds. “That’s what gives that soft, diffused look.”
