During one of Team Coveteur's weekly edit meetings, we went down a nail-centered rabbit hole—what started with a discussion about red carpet nails evolved into whether we'd be confident enough to wear flip-flops with unpedicured toes, and circled around the chicness of wearing color. We landed with the swirling question: are bare nails the ultimate flex?

At first glance, bare nails suggest someone so busy, professionally and socially, that scheduling a manicure is simply impossible. It-girls like Kendall Jenner, Zendaya, Zoë Kravitz, and Pamela Anderson are often spotted rocking bare nails, leaning into the narrative that they are low maintenance and, at the same time, were born with perfect nails.

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. I look down at my own nails, which feature a mix of blue, tortoise shell, and French tips with star art on select fingers, and wonder: how much time would I save if I opted for the bare nail trend?

What I've learned is that maintaining bare nails takes far more effort than meets the eye. What appears as low-maintenance actually requires a different, more consistent level of upkeep. "Natural nails demand attention. You have to actually look after them: are they clean, is the shape holding, has anything chipped or split? With gel, you cover them and forget about it for two or three weeks," Viktoria Kolodii, Founder and Creative Director of global nail salon MVK, says. "Bare nails don't let you do that. So the trend isn't just about minimalism; it's about people taking time to care about their hands and nails."

When we talk about bare nails, we're talking about well-manicured nails that feel intentional and elevated, but colorless. "Bare doesn't mean untouched. It means groomed to the point where nothing distracts the eye," Kolodii says. So, when trying to achieve the look, there are a few things that you must remember: a consistent length should be maintained, the skin around the nail should be strong, and a clear treatment polish should be used regularly. "Consumers are taking the time to be more educated and thoughtful about the products they use on their bodies," Nicole Wong, Lead Designer at beauty studio MiniLuxe, says. "The bare manicure trend helps open that conversation about nail maintenance and care, which is always great to see as a nail designer."

Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Shutterstock

Wong also notes the rise of the coconut jelly nail trend, where natural-looking nails aren't actually completely bare. "It's a term being used for that clean, natural-looking manicure," she says. "To achieve the look, you want to choose a sheer, jelly-like pink and apply about two to three coats, depending on how much coverage the client wants while still allowing the natural nail to show through." For an even more natural bare French look, she suggests using a very sheer off-white or transparent pink polish. "Something similar to the type of color you would normally use as the base underneath a traditional French manicure. The goal is to enhance the natural nail rather than completely cover it, giving it that healthy, polished, barely-there finish," she says.

Photo: Viktoria Kolodii
Photo: Viktoria Kolodii

This is all to say that bare nails aren't necessarily the flex that team Coveteur initially thought them to be. They aren't a sign of a busy schedule or naturally perfect nail beds; they're an extension of the quiet luxury and clean girl trends—take that as you will.

While cases can be made for bare nails and clean girls, we were equally as drawn to the purple nails and nails complete with feather and hair extensions that we spotted on Spring/Summer 2027 runways, making strong cases for the slightly messy, bold, maximal girl as well. Perhaps the point is that there is room for both.