The New Nail Polish Trend Is Like Jelly Shoes for Your Nails
We're ready for this...you know.
Crucial update: Kind of like a zombie who claws her way out of a body bag to fight crime and sexist portrayals of women in cinema, nail art is mostly dead, but just *slightly* less dead than before.
Take the negative space manicure, for example. Or the single-sticker/rhinestone-placed-near-the-tip thing Emily Weiss Instagrams all the time. Both are nice, but sometimes you just want a simple color finish, but like, not a traditional one, you know? Enter jelly nail polish.
With one coat of Yves Saint Laurent's just-launched La Laque, for example, you get a translucent watercolor effect; with two, a juicy, squishy look reminiscent of binder covers and probably toxic party favors. You can sandwich a glitter polish between layers of Sally Hansen's Palm Beach Jellies (if you can still find them) for float-ier pailettes than any available on the market. But the real draw—beyond the quickness, the customizability, and the fabulously suspended sparkles—has to be how it toes the line between bare and dressed-up: If the regular opaque, one-color paint job is a crew-neck T-shirt, then the jelly nail is a slinky, sheer slip dress.
Exposed lunulas are totally hot, right? Shop some of our favorites below.
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at Marie Claire. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.
-
How Low (Rise) Will Jennifer Lopez Go?
The star revived an early-aughts denim staple while shopping in Beverly Hills.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Longchamp's Le Pliage Bag is the Great Unifier
You have one. So does your mom. And now your cool little cousin wants one, too.
By Emma Childs Published
-
ROSÉ Is Forging a New Path for K-Pop Idols Going Solo
With her debut album 'rosie,' the BLACKPINK artist has released the most vulnerable album from a K-pop star yet.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
13 Best Drugstore Concealers That Feel Surprisingly Luxurious
Great things *do* come with small price tags.
By Iman Balagam Published
-
The 13 Best Products for Rosacea That Fight Redness and Irritation
Flare-ups are a thing of the past.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
The Best Cold Plunge Tubs for At-Home Ice Baths
Is soaking in 50 degree water actually good for you?
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Anya Taylor-Joy Uses This Reverse Logic Trick to Make Her Oscars Lipstick Last All Night
Save this Georgie Eisdell-approved technique for your next major event.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
The Best Beauty Moments at the 2024 Oscars
Peach lips and top knots are the biggest trends of the night.
By Samantha Holender Last updated
-
The 10 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Vibrant Red Hair
Make your cherry cola shade last.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
How Does Supergoop!’s New Tinted SPF Stack Up?
Protec(tint) Daily SPF promises to protect, hydrate, and balance skin.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Your Drugstore Leave-In Conditioner Can Be So Much More
Discover the best affordable leave-in conditioners, according to hairstylists.
By Sophia Vilensky Published