The mannequin manicure is like the ninja of nail trends. It’s so sleek and sophisticated that it blends right into your skin. It makes you look beautifully put-together without even trying. This minimalist style is taking over the runways and the red carpets, so it feels like an essential technique to master. J.Lo’s mannequin nails aren’t the only example, either. In this article you’ll discover that even more stars are following this elegant fashion.
J.Lo’s Mannequin Manicure
In early fall 2024, the biggest fashion sites were flashing photos of Jennifer Lopez’s mannequin nails. Celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik had created her low-key design for the Toronto Film Festival. He described the process in detail, saying that his goal was to match the nail color to her skin so the effect would be “tone on tone.” In J.Lo’s case, he selected medium-length almond tips, then painted them with Aprés Gel Couleur Burnt Blush. This shade is described as an opaque “dusty pink nude.” The final steps were a glossy top coat and cuticle oil.
While many stars walk the red carpet with over the top nail looks, J.Lo kept the focus on her reflective gown by toning down her manicure.
Apres Gel 507 Burnt Blush
Also Known as Soap Nails but Not Milk Bath Nails
Recent publicity side, mannequin nails are not a new thing. We scrolled back at least a decade and found mentions of neutral nail styles like this rebounding in popularity. For example, they’ve also been called “soap nails.” One fashion site explained that Zendaya and Megan Markle enjoy this “clean girl look.” J.Lo also seems to be a fan now as she continued the promotional tour for her film, Unstoppable, wearing a similar style at each stop.
Creating the Perfect Mannequin Nails
There are two key parts to creating the perfect mannequin nails. The first is meticulous preparation. The natural nails or extensions and cuticles need to look flawless before painting. Tom Bachik always mentions his favorite brand of clippers by name, but it’s not the label that matters. What’s important is the attention to detail. There won’t be any glitter or vibrant colors to distract from messy cuticles.
Second, the polish color must be a perfect match for the natural skin color. Instead of a milky manicure or a translucent gloss, look for the ideal nude undertone in an opaque shade. This search is easiest in-person under natural color lighting, but not bright sunlight. Of course, shopping online is challenging as it’s hard to know if you’ve chosen the best fit when different screens might alter what you see. However, we have a wide selection of nude shades from top nail brands and were certain we have a match for you. Feel free to contact us for assistance in finding the right polish for mannequin nails.
Below we see a photo from the London screening. J.Lo’s nails look frosted and a hue lighter than before, likely to pair with the white dress. One fashion magazine suspected that Tom Bachik used OPI’s Don't Bossa Nova Me Around.
Selena Gomez’s Mannequin Nails
Soon after Jennifer Lopez appeared with a mannequin manicure, so did Selena Gomez as she was promoting her film, Emilia Pérez. As you can see, her sleek look is uninterrupted right to the tips of the nails. It’s like an updated version of the French manicure because this style literally goes with everything –any event, every outfit. What a relief when you need to do wardrobe need changes but don’t have to worry about your nails.
Mo Qin created Selena’s mannequin nails by starting with a long almond shape and finishing with a creamy nude color that basically disappears into her skin. The style makes Selena’s fingers look extra elegant.
LDS Cover Nude
Angelina Jolie’s Mannequin Nails
At the Golden Globe awards, Angelina Jolie and several other celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett wore mannequin nails. In Angelina’s case, the polish was a little more sheer but still tuned to her skin tone for a naked nails look.
Celebrity artist Elle Gerstein set up this seamless look by filing Angelina’s nails into a tapered almond shape. Then she bucked the mannequin trend by going ombre. She used Maybe from the Aprés Light & Shadow Sheer Gel Couleur Collection for the base color and transitioned to a nude tip. It’s still a “no makeup mani” so we can’t argue!
Apres Gel 707 Maybe...
Although we started this article talking about Jennifer Lopez’s mannequin nails, we should rewind and discuss Glenn Close’s mannequin manicure at Paris fashion week 2024. If you follow Glenn’s Instagram, you know she posts very candid photos of herself sans makeup. This posed shot was tied into Dior to welcome in the New Year and features her favorite champagne. She makes nude nails look fantastic.
She didn’t share any details about her choice of nail polish, but we can make a recommendation. There’s nothing like rubber base gel for strengthening brittle nails and making them look smooth and glossy. It provides protection for a long-lasting manicure. Moreover, the LDS Rubber Base Gel Collection features nude shades for every skin tone. It doubles as a base coat to cut down on the time you spend making your nails look effortlessly flawless.
LDS Rubber Base Collection
Mannequin Nails a Decade Ago and into the Future
Here’s a flashback to DIY mannequin nails from 2014 courtesy of Revlon nail polish. Nail lacquer is a handy way to test neutral shades to see if they match your skin. What’s more, LDS offers 9-free healthy nail lacquers in over 200 shades. They are highly pigmented and easy to apply, so you can trial mannequin nail colors for a week at a time.
LDS Nail Lacquer
Conclusion
J.Lo’s mannequin nails are an inspiration and part of a hot trend sweeping the nail world. If you’re tired of flashy styles and just want to look beautiful no matter the occasion or ensemble, this is the solution. When you browse our store, we’re certain you’ll find the perfect polish for a mannequin manicure. Stock up on your favorite colors and enjoy free shipping, too!
Sources:
https://www.byrdie.com/jennifer-lopez-mannequin-nails-8708997
https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/jennifer-lopez-mannequin-manicure-princess-diana-outfit/
https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/jennifer-lopez-fall-soap-nail-trend/
https://www.allure.com/story/selena-gomez-mannequin-nails
https://www.thezoereport.com/culture/angelina-jolie-nude-nails-2025-golden-globes