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    Sabrina Carpenter’s Baby French Manicure Is Convincing Me to Get Short, Square Nails

    The perfect transparent pink does exist.

    Ariel Wilson's avatar
    By Ariel Wilson
    Published 20 October 2025 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Sabrina Carpenter wearing red lipstick and a black and white fur coat
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    Sabrina Carpenter’s latest manicure is minimalist beauty done right. On October 18, the actress was seen in New York City as she arrived at the Saturday Night Live afterparty. She wore a vintage-inspired white skirt set, featuring a peek-a-boo bra detail and strappy sandals. Her hair was styled in her signature fluffy blowout with curtain bangs, and her makeup was her classic: flirty and cute. Despite all of this, I was still most drawn to the singer’s surprisingly minimalist manicure.

    Carpenter’s nails were shaped by cutting and filing into a short square manicure, breaking away from her usual almond extensions. Each nail was then painted with a clear pink polish and topped with a very thin white line. This creates what is known as the baby French manicure, which Carpenter proves is the perfect delicate look to match almost anything in your wardrobe.

    Sabrina Carpenter wearing a baby French manicure. She's also wearing a halter neck vest top and skirt suit.

    Sabrina Carpenter is seen on October 19, 2025 in New York City.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Baby French manicures have been worn by Hollywood it-girls like Lori Harvey and Hailey Bieber, and it’s easy to see the allure of the manicure. While it’s fun to experiment with bold shades like cherry reds or dazzling chrome finishes, French manicures are celebrated for their incredible versatility. Add in the practicality of a short length and a base color that almost matches your nail beds but looks healthier? It’s really a winning combination every time, no matter your wardrobe or the occasion.

    Perfecting a baby French manicure takes some practice, but the right tools can help. If you want a manicure similar to Carpenter’s without the trip to the nail salon, keep reading for the products you’ll need.

    Tweezerman Manicure Kit

    Tweezerman
    Manicure Kit
    $12
    SHOP NOW

    For a well done manicure you need the basics: nail clippers, a file, and a buffer to start.

    Sunuv Uv Led Nail Lamp, Gel Light for Nail Polish Uv Dryer With 3 Timers Sunone White

    Sunuv Uv
    Led Nail Lamp
    $50$30
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    If you prefer gel nails, be sure to use a lamp like this to fully cure your manicure.

    Beetles Nude Pink Gel Nail Polish, 15ml Neutral Sheer Pink Jelly Gel Polish Translucent Effect Nail Concealer Spring Summer Color Soak Off Uv French Nail Art Design Diy Manicure Gift for Women

    Beetles Gel Polish
    Nude Pink Gel Nail Polish
    $12$7
    SHOP NOW

    A transparent pink like this is the perfect way to recreate Carpenter's manicure.

    Essie Nail Care, 8-Free Vegan, Hard to Resist Nail Strengthener, Glow and Shine, Pink Tint, 0.46 Fl Oz

    Essie
    Nail Care
    $11
    SHOP NOW

    If you're not a fan of gel nails, opt for this nail strengthener from Essie in a beautiful sheer pink to emulate the transulecency of Carpenter's nails.

    Beetles French Tip Press on Nails: 150 Pcs Pink Short Square Press on Nails 4 in 1 Nail Tips, Pre-Applied Primer & Base Coat, No File Need Diy Manicure for Fall Nails Extension Gifts for Women

    Beetles Gel Polish
    French Tip Press on Nails
    $12
    SHOP NOW

    Press-ons are also a great way to get the look without the fuss.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    sabrina carpenter
    Ariel Wilson
    Ariel Wilson
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    Beauty Writer

    Ariel Wilson is the Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. Previously the associate beauty editor at PS, she also has bylines in InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women's Health, and more.

    Shaped by her experience in research, social sciences, and the non-profit sector, Ariel enjoys looking at beauty from a sociocultural lens, looking to avenues like politics, culture, and the arts, to inform her views on the space. That being said, as a true beauty-product obsessive, testing the latest items to hit the market, keeping up with trends, and meeting industry icons, will always be her favorite part of working in the beauty space.

    When she's not working, Ariel can be found hanging out with her husband and loving on their two cat daughters: Cow and Chicken.

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