In keeping with the make-up-free philosophy she has become known for, Pamela Anderson makes a strong case for the no-manicure manicure. For all the appeal of maximalist nail art and dramatic lengths, a near-bare, minimalist manicure is a smart way to give your nails a rest, and it suits anyone who prefers a low-maintenance approach. It also never clashes with your outfit.
The trick to keeping bare nails looking refined rather than neglected is what’s being called the “glass nail”: a clear, glossy finish that puts the focus on the health of the natural nail. With no colour to hide behind, condition is everything. “With a colour-free manicure, the condition of the natural nail becomes the focus, so good prep makes all the difference,” says Susan Carroll, founder of the Notting Hill beauty destination Young LDN.
Her advice starts with shape. Keeping the nails a consistent length and a clean silhouette does most of the work; she favours a short squoval or a softly rounded shape for something that looks tidy and modern. From there, it is about a well-buffed, healthy surface and a high-shine top coat that gives the glassy, reflective finish the look is named for.
The appeal is partly practical and partly aesthetic. A clear manicure grows out gracefully, so the gap between appointments is far less obvious than with colour, and it flatters every skin tone precisely because it isn’t trying to make a statement. It is the nail equivalent of good skin: understated, but clearly looked after.
For anyone tired of chipped polish or constant upkeep, Anderson’s glass nails are a genuinely easy look to live with. Focus on prep, shape and shine rather than colour, and you get a manicure that reads as effortless because, for once, it more or less is.
