Nail trends come and go, with some of the most intriguing designs out there looking incredible on Instagram or TikTok, while proving nearly impossible to recreate at home. Unless you possess a weekly salon mani budget, you might want to fall back on a trend that is affordable to achieve at home and doesn’t require the skills of a professional manicurist. That’s part of the appeal of TikTok’s latest nail trend: Soft Girl Nails, a sweet style you’re about to see everywhere this spring. Here’s what you need to know about Soft Girl Nails, the products you can add to your collection to DIY the trend (it’s very likely you already have everything you need), and why, exactly, it’s having a major moment.
What Are Soft Girl Nails?
As the name implies, Soft Girl Nails aren’t bold, brash, or in your face. They’re a gentler, quieter, more introverted design that still packs a supremely pretty punch.
“The ‘Soft Girl’ nail trend is a popular nail art style that emerged on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram,” says Linh Ngo, senior nail artist for Nail Maxx. “It’s characterized by pastel colors, heart-shaped accents, and playful designs that give off a youthful and whimsical vibe. This typically features pastel shades like pink, lavender, and baby blue, as well as heart-shaped accents, smiley faces, stars, and other playful designs. The nails may also be adorned with rhinestones or glitter for added sparkle and dimension.”
Alex Staroba, licensed nail artist based in Phoenix, AZ says the trend is all about pinks, simplicity, and femininity.
This is a trend for those who like a little bit of design or sparkle but nothing too flashy,” Staroba says. “Just a subtle something extra. This looks like a nude colored nail with some chrome on the top, an iridescent sparkle, a pink french nail, or no design at all. This is very classic and timeless.”
Why Is Soft Girl Nails Having A Moment?
The fashionable eye is always searching for something new, and in this case, Soft Girl Nails is a departure from bolder shades we’ve seen in trends like neon manicures and abstract nail art. “This trend is having a moment because it reflects a broader cultural trend towards ‘cute’ and ‘wholesome’ aesthetics that have become increasingly popular among young people,” Ngo says. “The trend is often associated with the VSCO girl and E-girl trends, characterized by playful, colorful, and expressive styles.” So while you’re ordering up a pair of ballet flats for this spring, you may want to also consider Soft Girl nails to match your whimsical wardrobe.
How Can You DIY Soft Girl Nails
Like most nail trends, this one can be personalized and can be as simplistic or dramatic as you’re willing to go. With that said, Soft Girl nails share some of the same basics.
“To DIY Soft Girl nails, you'll need a few key products,” Ngo says. “First, you'll need a base coat to protect your nails and provide a smooth surface for the polish to adhere to. Then, you'll need a selection of pastel-colored nail polishes and white polish for the heart-shaped accents. You may also want glitter or rhinestones to add sparkle to your design. Finally, you'll need a topcoat to seal in your design and provide a long-lasting finish. Additionally, you may want to use a nail art brush or a toothpick to create heart shapes and other designs.”
You can also keep things simple with a nude colored nail with some chrome on the top, an iridescent sparkle, a pink french nail, or no design at all, Staroba says. “This is very classic and timeless,” she says. “This can be very easy to DIY at home. You can find any nude polish at your local store that best suits your skin tone and top it off with a little bit of iridescent glitter. Finish with a glossy top coat and you're all set!”
