16 Sheer Nail Polishes for a Barely-There, Minimalist Manicure

16 of the Best Sheer Nail Polishes To Try

Essie Hard to Resist Nail Strengthener Treatment in Glow & Shine

Strengthen your nails and coat them in a sheer, glossy sheen with this nail-strengthening treatment from Essie. The polish’s translucent, candy-pink hue helps enhance your natural nail color, while the nail bonding formula helps improve resistance for less brittle nails over time. We can definitely get on board with pretty polish that promotes better nail health.

Essie Nail Polish in Limo-Scene

For a sheer pink nail polish that you can wear anytime, check out Essie Limo-Scene. It’s creamy yet translucent (but not completely see-through) and boasts a neutral undertone that flatters both warm- and cool-toned skin. Apply one coat for a sheerer finish, or two to three for a slightly more opaque end result.

Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish in Sheer Fantasy

With its long-lasting, high-shine finish, Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish is a must-have for replicating the look of a pricey salon gel manicure at home. For a minimalist mani, opt for the shade Sheer Fantasy—the barely-there pink hue is the perfect pick to softly enhance the look of your natural nail color.

Essie Metallics Nail Polish in Birthday Girl

Sheer nail polish isn’t boring, and this iridescent sheer pink polish is proof. The rose-hued formula contains subtle metallic shimmer for a high-shine, pearly finish that’s playful without being too pigmented.

Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish in Gossamer Garments

As light as its namesake, gossamer, this shade from Essie is an airy pink dream. It’s slightly more pigmented than some of the other pale pink options on this list—more of a peony pink than a ballet-slipper pink. To help keep your at-home mani shiny and chip-free, seal in the color with the brand’s clear Gel Couture Top Coat for the best results.

Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Gloss Nail Polish in Orchid Jelly

Want a sheer nail polish that isn’t pink or nude? Give purple a try. We love the buildable translucent finish of Essie’s Jelly Gloss collection to give your nails just a hint of hue without feeling overpowering. Apply one coat for a barely-there lavender tint, or build it up for a more opaque jelly-like finish.

Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Gloss Nail Polish in Cactus Jelly

Channel the vibrant hue of your go-to mid-afternoon matcha with this translucent green polish from Essie. You can wear it any way you like, but we find that two coats are ideal for the perfect sheer (yet still noticeable) wash of color.

Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish in Fairy Tailor

Essie Gel Couture Fairy Tailor is on the more nude end of the spectrum when it comes to sheer nail polish colors. Wear the sandy pink hue alone for a barely-there mani, or pair it with a sparkly top coat for an understated yet glam nail art moment.

Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Gloss Nail Polish in Ink Jelly

If you love the idea of black nails but find jet-black polish a bit too bold, consider a sheer polish. We love this inky option because it’s buildable—you can apply one coat for a subtler effect, or opt for three layers for a more intensely pigmented end result.

Essie Nail Art Studio Special Effects Nail Polish in Mystic Marine

Embrace your inner mermaid—or pretend like you’re at the beach—with this ultra-cool holographic nail polish. The color-shifting formula shifts from bright pearlescent turquoise to a duochrome red-teal hue depending on the lighting.

Essie Nail Art Studio Special Effects Nail Polish in Astral Aura

For a subtler take on the duochrome look, try Essie’s Special Effects Nail Polish in Astral Aura. It boasts a sheer yet bright pink base infused with purple shimmer pigments that create an otherworldly glowing effect. Wear it alone for a sheerer shimmer or layer it over an opaque nail polish for a more vibrant holographic look.

Pleasing Nail Polish in The Whole Dewniverse

Channel your inner rock-and-roller with this holographic polish, which, per Pleasing, can be worn alone or layered over a classic nail polish for a hint of gentle sparkle. While the polish itself is gorgeous, we’d argue that the coolest thing about this pick is the gorgeous bottle—we’d buy it to decorate our vanities even if it didn’t have nail polish inside.

Butter London Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment in Victoria Plum

If your nails tend to split or break, consider giving them some TLC with Butter London’s strengthening treatment. According to the brand, it contains hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, açai, and vitamin E, and helps promote stronger, more nourished nails. Plus, the formula’s sheer, plummy hue pops on all skin tones.

Ella + Mila Nail Polish in Beloved

Enhance your natural nail color with this sheer, caramel-toned polish from Ella + Mila. Like many of the others on this list, the translucent formula is buildable—opt for one coat for a barely imperceptible tint or add more layers for a slightly more pigmented finish.

Jinsoon Nail Polish in Dew

Stark white nails can be tricky to get right, which is why we love this sheer cream pick from Jinsoon. The translucent hue leans more ivory than snow and gives the nails a flattering, milky finish.

Cirque Colors Nail Polish in Soleil

Soleil means sun in French, but if we were in charge of naming this iridescent white polish, we’d dub it Neige—snow. The sheer white hue boasts a rainbow of holographic sparkle that catches the light much like fresh snowfall on a sunny winter day.

How To Apply Sheer Nail Polish

Applying sheer nail polish doesn’t require a special technique, but there are a few tips worth keeping in mind if you want to get the most out of your mani. Here’s what we recommend doing for the perfect barely-there manicure.

• Because sheer nail polish is translucent, any spots of polish left behind after your last manicure will show through. To ensure a seamless end result, completely remove any nail polish from your nails before starting your at-home mani.
• If your nails have any ridges or bumps, use a nail buff to smooth the surface of your nails prior to applying polish. This will help ensure your sheer nail polish applies smoothly and dries evenly.
• Apply a thin base coat to protect your nails and help your polish stay on longer. We love the Essie Here to Stay Base Coat Long-Lasting Nail Polish.
• With some sheer nail polishes, one coat is enough to achieve the desired end result; with others, you may want to use two coats or more. If you’re using more than one coat, be sure to let the previous coat dry before applying more polish.
• Finish your sheer manicure with a top coat for extra strength and shine. The Essie Stay Longer Top Coat is among our favorites, as it helps keep your manicure shiny and protected for up to one full week.

How To Maintain Your Minimalist Manicure

How long your manicure lasts depends on a variety of factors, including the polish you choose, your lifestyle, and how well you’ve prepped your nails. Here are a few things that you can do to help extend the wear of your sheer nail polish.

• Reapply your top coat (or clear fingernail polish) to your nails every two to three days to help prevent chips and keep your manicure shiny.
• Apply cuticle oil to your cuticles each night before bed to help keep the skin around your nails soft, smooth, and hydrated.
• Wear gloves while cleaning and doing dishes to help shield your nails.
• Use lukewarm water to wash your hands and bathe—hot water may soften the enamel, which may make your polish chip or peel off more easily.
• If you want to extend the time between at-home manis, opt for a sheer nail polish in a shade that closely matches your natural nail color. Chips and cracks will be less noticeable the more closely your polish resembles your natural nails.

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