Of all the celebrity nail trends arriving this summer, chiffon nails might be the most surprising. In a sea of polka dots, gems, and metallic details, ultra-sheer nails stand out against the otherwise bold, maximalist vibe. Worn by stars like Gemma Chan and Gracie Abrams, this minimal style was a recurring look at this year’s Met Gala. Named for its resemblance to the soft, delicate drape of chiffon fabric, celebrity manicurist Michelle Class explains why this simple style is becoming so popular.

“Celebrities are constantly being photographed in different outfits, campaigns, and events, so a clean, sheer manicure goes with everything,” Class says. “It feels expensive, timeless, and looks great on camera.”

A chiffon manicure starts with perfectly prepped nails—no rough cuticles, edges, or hangnails in sight—topped with a glossy, sheer polish. Essentially, it’s your own nails, but at their best. As for color, any shade sheer enough to see the nail underneath works. Think apricot, peach, soft pink, or cream tones.

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Manucurist
Active Glow Nail Polish in Active Glow Blueberry
$19 AMAZON

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Londontown
Nail Ridge Filler in Apricot-Beige
$20 AMAZON

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Essie
Glass Nails in Crystal Ball
$13 AMAZON

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Essie
Nail Polish in Mademoiselle
$10 $9 (10% off) AMAZON

To make sure your manicure looks intentionally undone—not like you’re between appointments—Class says, “It’s all in the finish.” She adds, “When the shape is balanced, the cuticles are flawless, and the color is sheer but even, it reads as polished, not unfinished.” For her, short nails are ideal because they enhance the “effortless, understated feel.” She prefers a short to soft-medium length with gently rounded corners, or a squoval shape, for a chic, modern look.

With a client list that includes celebrities like Emily Blunt, Naomi Campbell, Margot Robbie, and Gemma Chan, Class follows a thorough preparation process. “With minimal manicures, healthy-looking skin and clean cuticle lines are just as important as the polish itself,” she notes. Here’s her prep checklist:

– Gentle cuticle work to create a clean, seamless nail bed
– Refining the nail shape so every nail looks balanced and symmetrical
– Removing any surface dryness or uneven texture with a gentle buff
– Thoroughly cleansing and dehydrating the nail plate for perfect adhesion
– Hydrating the surrounding skin so the hands look healthy and fresh

Below, we’ve gathered eight of the cleanest chiffon nail examples to bring to your next appointment. Or, if you prefer to do it yourself, let them inspire your next at-home manicure.

Photo: @raelondonnails
Photo: @raelondonnails
Photo: @iramshelton
Photo: @indiafrancescaallen
Photo: @paintedbyjools
Photo: @paintedbyjools
Photo: @indiafrancescaallen
Photo: @harrietwestmoreland

Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Chiffon nails covering everything from the basics to advanced tips

BeginnerLevel Questions

1 What exactly are Chiffon nails
Chiffon nails are a nail art style that mimics the look of sheer lightweight chiffon fabric They usually feature a soft translucent base color with a delicate matte finish and often include subtle fabriclike textures or fine wispy details

2 How are they different from regular sheer or jelly nails
While both are translucent jelly nails are glossy and look like colored glass or jelly Chiffon nails are matte and have a soft powdery finish like the fabric itself They also often incorporate fine lines or textures to look like woven fabric

3 What colors are most popular for Chiffon nails
The most popular shades are soft romantic pastels baby pink dusty rose lavender powder blue and milky white The key is that the color is very sheer and not opaque

4 Do I need to go to a salon to get them or can I do them at home
You can definitely try them at home but they require patience Youll need a sheer nail polish a matte top coat and a very fine detail brush or a special nail stamp to create the fabric texture A salon will give you a more precise professional result

5 Are Chiffon nails good for short nails
Yes The sheer soft look is actually very flattering on short nails because it doesnt overwhelm them It creates an elegant clean look without making the nails look bulky

Advanced ProblemSolving Questions

6 How do you create the fabric texture on the nail
The most common method is using a very thin brush to paint fine semitransparent lines that crisscross or run vertically mimicking the weave of chiffon Another technique is using a special nail stamp with a fabric pattern or gently dabbing a makeup sponge with a tiny amount of matte polish to create a woven effect

7 My sheer polish always looks streaky How do I avoid that
The key is thin even coats Apply a very thin layer of your sheer color let it dry completely then add another thin layer Never try