The Jelly Nail Trend Is Like Lip Gloss for Your Nails (2024)

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The Jelly Nail Trend Is Like Lip Gloss for Your Nails? ›

“It has a jelly-like finish and mimics the look of tinted lip gloss.” As Nguyen suggests, the manicure emphasizes your natural nails and typically features a sheer pink polish, but other neutral tones and light pastel hues are sometimes incorporated.

This spring, consider reaching for jelly nail polish to get a wash of juicy, semi-sheer color on your nails. "Jelly polishes are like Jolly Rancher hard candy in manicure form," says Olivia Van Iderstine, Olive & June's VP of content and creative.

The high-shine manicure has overtaken the glazed doughnut trend and the chocolate swirl as the go-to style for this summer. So, what are lip gloss nails exactly? The hint is in the name. Think of it as lipgloss, but for the nails, with high-shine textures in cutesy pastel pink hues.

Conscious Beauty at Ulta Beauty™

Essie Nail Art Studio Jelly Gloss Nail Polish has a sheer, buildable translucent finish for layers of nail art fun. Available in shades from neutral to brighter hues.

Polish'd London Jelly Tips are sharp, tapered and sculpted! Flawless nails at light speed. Break resistant strength from arch to free edge. Flexi-fit soft gel contours to the nail perfectly. Snag-free, thin cuticle contact area for a seamless look.

If you'd rather head to the salon, ask your nail technician for “crystal” or clear tips, which are key to the jelly nail look. You can get them any length you want, but keep them long enough to clearly see the demarcation between the nail tip and your nail bed for the best effect.

“Jelly nail trends are really taking off for the summer of 2024,” says Choi. She speaks to the versatility of jellies, adding that they can be bright, neutral, or pastel. “The recent Met Gala showcased numerous stunning jelly nail looks, and I had the privilege of creating three out of four of them.”

"Rich girl" nails don't necessarily have to be nude in tone—they just have to be neutral to effortlessly go with everything. With this in mind, a subtle, shimmery white nail look can qualify as a "rich girl" manicure, too.

So, what are jelly nail polishes exactly? Like creams, mattes, and opalescents, the term jelly refers to the texture of the formula once it's applied. The difference with jellies, though, is that they offer a splash of sheer color and loads of shine—kind of like lip gloss, except for your nails.

Jelly polishes are not the same as gel polish. Linear Holographic: A version of holographic glitter finish that is so micro fine, when applied the glitters line up to form the rainbow effect in a line, strongest in sunlight or direct light.

How long do jelly nails last? ›

With proper application and curing, a gel manicure typically lasts 2-3 weeks before starting to peel or chip. But there are a few factors that affect how long your gel mani lasts. Here are a few tips on how to sustain a longer lifespan for your gel nails: Apply 2-3 gel polish coats for longer wear.

As new nail trends emerge, you may have noticed an uptick in interest in jelly nails, which tend to have a transparent color, topped with a super shiny top coat.

Gel nail polishes are durable, glossy, and chip-resistant. However, gel polish can be harsh on nails. It has the potential to cause damage, especially if people use it often. According to a large survey of 2,118 people who used gel nails, some individuals experienced itchiness, swelling, and burning during application.

Gel nails are painted on from a little pot of gloop and then cured under a UV light — the same basic technology as "soft" polish gels, but resulting in a harder nail.

Gel nails are also known for being easy to remove and less likely to cause damage to natural nails. However, they are typically more expensive than acrylic nails and require a UV lamp for curing.

The difference with jellies, though, is that they offer a splash of sheer color and loads of shine—kind of like lip gloss, except for your nails.