Rose Water Nails Are The K-Beauty Trend Of The Moment
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8 hours ago
This glossy pink mani is summer’s biggest hit
Summer’s latest slew of nail trends might be big on bold, bright hues – but there’s something to be said about a high-shine, minimalist mani. Take the latest salon craze (and K-beauty favourite): rose water nails.
What Are Rose Water Nails?
Rose water nails are essentially a sheer pink mani with an elevated, glossy finish – like lip gloss for your nails. ‘A diluted, watery wash of a rosy true-pink colour gives your natural nail colour a tinted manicure finish,’ adds Julita Fagan, a nail artist and educator at 14 Day Mani. ‘Ultra-glossy, pink and delicately glowing, rose water nails are for those who crave a manicure that is a soft-spoken whisper of what girly nail dreams are made of.’
And if the trend looks familiar, it’s because it’s not a new one. Like princess nails and soap nails, a rose water mani plays into the ongoing trend for natural-but-better beauty looks. ‘It leans on the side of “sheer beauty” – shy and barely there, yet always noticed,’ highlights Julita. ‘Understandably, natural nails and manicures that are rosy pink and sheer in their view have continued to rise in popularity this year. There’s no worry of whether your nails will clash with your outfit, or if there’ll be obvious nail growth as the days pass.’
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You may also be familiar with the mani if you’re up to date with K-beauty trends. Like glass skin, that glossy, iridescent glow has proven to be a big hit – especially amongst K-pop idols, who frequently opt for low-maintenance, high-impact manis that can see them through back-to-back schedules. Nail artist and Chanel ambassador Betina Goldstein, for example, recently told Vogue that she ‘loves rosewater nails and does this look on [Blackpink star] Rosé all the time.’
Although it’s not just South Korea enjoying the trend. ‘Rose water nails are also loved by celebrities such as Zendaya, Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez,’ notes Julita. ‘Shiny and moisturised, rose water nails are the thirst quencher your fingers will want to continuously indulge in.’
How To Ask For Rose Water Nails In The Salon
‘When asking your nail tech for rose water nails, describe a minimalistic, sheer tint of your rosy pink polish of choice,’ advises Julita. ‘They’re slightly more sheer than jelly nails, but you can also use that trend as a reference point.
‘For best results,’she continues, ‘the pink polish should be applied on top of a clear base coat or builder gel to ensure the most glassy effect is achieved.’
How To Get The Look At Home
To really, er, nail the look, you’ll need the right polish. ‘When creating rose water nails at home, you will need to use a polish which is jelly-like and very sheer in opacity,’ recommends Julita. ‘You can also try mixing your pink polish with a clear base or top coat to thin the colour pigmentation, allowing you to create layers to achieve the correct finish.’
As for the technique: ‘Apply two to three layers of the polish as is the norm, and complete with a shiny protective top coat.’
What Next?
While rose water nails thrive on pared-back luxury, our nail expert can see some tweaks becoming a popular add-on. ‘Placing a chrome powder on top of sheer-pink, tinted nails has been actively in demand,’ notes Julita. ‘Try an iced chrome on top of your rose water nails for added juiciness, intensifying the glowy finish and pop.’
We may also see a slight colour change over the seasons. ‘I also predict that, while the concept of the trend will remain the same, the tone of pink will shift to that of a more sheer rouge or red-pink tone as we near the Autumn/ Winter season.’
10 Rose Water Nail Ideas To Try Next
1. Rose Water Nails
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2. Almond Shaped
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3. Sheer Glow
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4. Soft Blush
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5. Chrome Finish
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6. Squared Off
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7. Cat Eye
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8. Lilac Glaze
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9. Pink Pearl
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10. Soft Rounds
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Main image: @euphoricbeautyinc on Instagram
