A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Clean Girl Nails

Clean girl nails stem from the clean-girl aesthetic, a look best described as having that “mukhang mabango” vibe. Think neat, clean, pretty, and effortlessly fresh. If there’s a “no makeup makeup” look, clean girl nails are the “no nail polish polish” look. Sticking to natural hues like pale pink, white, and nudes, it’s the antithesis of the over-the-top nail art trend that has dominated salons in the past couple of years.

Seen on everyone from Sabrina Carpenter to Selena Gomez to Anne Curtis, the look may be minimalist, but it’s far from basic. The key is to start with immaculately clean, manicured nails. From there, you can go for the trendy soap nails, add French tips, or embellish with subtle nail art.

The best part? Not only is the look easy to do at home, but it’s also low maintenance. Below is your step-by-step guide on how to do clean girl nails.

If you have nail polish, remove it carefully using nail polish remover. If you’re not wearing any, start by exfoliating your hands, paying extra attention to your cuticle area. Apply a small amount of your go-to hand or body scrub, then gently massage it onto your hands and around your nails to slough off dead skin. Rinse off the scrub and towel-dry.

Apply Vaseline Healthy Bright SPF24 PA++ Sun + Pollution Protection Body Lotion to moisturize your hands and shield them from the UV light often used in nail-drying lamps. This leaves your hands soft, smooth, protected, and ready for the next steps in your clean girl nail tutorial.

Clean girl nails start with well-groomed cuticles. Instead of nipping dry, rough cuticles, soften them using Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. “Your cuticles are there to protect your nails from dirt and bacteria. Nipping them could lead to infections and changes in the way your nails grow,” explains Stephanie Sy-Chua, a fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society.

While your hands are still damp, gently massage petroleum jelly onto your cuticles. Leave it for a few minutes to give it time to work its magic, then gently wipe off any excess product with a soft, wet towel. For best results, apply it the night before, slip on cotton gloves, and let it work overnight for deeply conditioned cuticles by morning.

Now it’s time to cut and shape your nails. For clean girl nails, the shape is usually round or oval, but other shapes are not off-limits. Using a nail cutter, trim your nails to your ideal length, then use a nail file to shape them. Don’t forget to clean the underside of your nails afterward.

Begin with a base coat. Clarissa Angela de Guzman, owner and nail tech of BetterNailsbyAngel, says, “Think of it as your nail’s little shield. It keeps your nails from getting stained, evens out the surface so polish glides on smoothly, and helps your manicure last longer. Some even have extra goodies like nail strengtheners, so it’s like skincare – but for your nails.”

Once it dries, apply your first coat by painting a stripe down the center of the nail, then filling in each side. You can layer additional coats if needed, but for clean aesthetic nails, less is more. One or two light coats should be enough and will keep your nails looking natural and your polish looking effortless.

If you’re adding nail art, keep it subtle and minimalist. Micro-French tips, dainty bows, ombré fades, or tiny dots work for this look. Once finished, carefully clean up any excess along the edges with a small brush or cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover.

Seal the look with a glossy or pearly topcoat for that healthy glow – perfect for your clean look nails. Then, cure under your UV lamp or simply let them air-dry.

After your nails are completely dry, finish your at-home manicure by moisturizing with Vaseline Healthy Bright SPF24 PA++ Sun + Pollution Protection Body Lotion once again. This protects against the sun and pollution and brightens the skin. It also helps maintain your clean aesthetic nails by keeping your cuticles soft.  

To make them last longer, Clarissa recommends keeping your cuticles and hands moisturized, so your nails stay healthy and shiny. “And treat your nails gently. No opening cans with them – we’ve all been guilty of that, wear gloves when cleaning, and try not to soak them in water for too long. A little care goes a long way in keeping that polished look,” she adds.

Clean girl nails are also dubbed “supermodel nails,” but they don’t just belong on the catwalk. They're perfect for the bride on her big day or for royalty (they’re basically Princess Kate’s go-to nails). They’re nails that can go from work to date night to weekend brunch. Bonus points for requiring minimalist nail care.