Your favorite face mist might just inspire your next manicure. Embracing a timeless, neutral pink manicure akin to the classic ballerina slipper shade, “rose water nails” have emerged as the must-have style this summer. Spotted on celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Zendaya, the trend showcases the “clean girl aesthetic” popularized on TikTok, combining effortless simplicity with a subtle boldness. Rose water nails redefine the neutral pink for summer, offering a refined twist on this classic color.
This style presents a delicate take on rich, rosy nails, achieved with a glossy, jelly-like finish. While variations like “soft serve” nails and J.Lo’s BB cream nails have made waves, rose water nails stand out with their more concentrated pink hue that accentuates the natural nail color without overshadowing it. Julie Kandalec, a celebrity manicurist, describes the look as “a very sheer, totally see-through, yet intensely pink manicure—akin to a rose water face mist.”
Creating this manicure at home or in a salon is straightforward. The key lies in selecting a polish that delivers a concentrated blush pink shade with a juicy, translucent finish. “Think of it as a tinted sunscreen for your nails,” advises Jacqueline Pham, a renowned manicurist at Color Street. Opt for a sheer, layerable pink polish. If it’s not marketed as “jelly-like,” Kandalec suggests holding the bottle at a 45° angle to see its transparency. “If you can see through a corner, you’ve found the right polish,” she explains.
At the salon, request a sheer but vivid pink color. Kandalec recommends bringing a reference photo to ensure your vision aligns with the manicurist’s execution.
Rose Water: The Trending Nail Color of Summer 2025
