Once upon a time, nude nails were considered a boring manicure option. After all, in a world with seemingly endless nail art, why would you choose a polish color that mimics your natural nails? Well, these days, if you want to look like the epitome of luxury, that’s exactly what you do. Here in 2023, celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Jenna Ortega, and Selena Gomez have made a case for what’s been dubbed “rich girl” nails.
A twist on the classic nude nail look, the rich girl manicure features neutral polish in a slightly unexpected way, whether it’s a sheer coat of color, a mega glossy finish, a milky ombré effect, or something in between. It’s not just about. the color, though. Most rich girl manicures feature a little length, too, often in the form of almond or coffin-shaped nails.
Ready to see the “rich girl” manicure in action? Ahead, find over a dozen of our favorite examples.
Sheer Nude Nails
This sheer nail look epitomizes the “rich girl” manicure. From the chic oval shape to the milky wash of color, it’s minimalist-luxe perfection. To create the look, nail artist Melanie Graves used DVOK Shade Makeup Gel ($20) in the shade DS01. It’s currently out of stock but could come back, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for (should you want to recreate this exact nail look).
Milky Square Nails
Prefer a square-shaped nail silhouette? Here’s proof that the sharp nail shape looks fabulous within the rich girl aesthetic. Plus, the milky manicure moment makes this set twice as trendy.
Soft Matte Nude Nails
This soft matte mani reminds us of Selena Gomez’s take on “rich girl” nails. To create it, nail artist Dayanna I. Sapiens used Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) in the shade One of Your French Girls.
Peachy Nude Rich Girl Nails
If you enjoy warmer neutral tones, consider copying this “rich girl” manicure. The polish in question is the Holo Taco Creme Polish ($12) in the shade Rest in Peach.
Glossy Nude Nails
Wish you could look like Jenny From The Block? With this nude nail look, you can. Celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik is behind this “rich girl” rendition.
Glossy Natural Nails
If you prefer to wear your nails short, you can still get in on the “rich girl” manicure trend, and don’t let anyone tell you any differently. The trick is to stick to the color theme. Remember: The goal is to create a subtle yet stunning nail look that goes with everything. Sometimes, a clean, clear mani does the trick.
Subtle Shimmer Rich Girl Nails
“Rich girl” nails don’t necessarily have to be nude in tone—they just have to be neutral to effortlessly go with everything. With this in mind, a subtle, shimmery white nail look can qualify as a “rich girl” manicure, too. This set was created with ILNP Nail Polish ($10+) in the shades Keepsake and Free Spirit.
Pink Pearl Nails
The strawberry-glazed donut nail look—also known as pink pearl nails—also fits the “rich girl” manicure aesthetic. To recreate this look, buy a bottle of Gelcare Gel Polish ($20) in the shade Primrose Pearl.
Lip Gloss Nails
Lip gloss nails—AKA manicures crafted with sheer coats of color—are the OG “rich girl” manicures. To create this lip gloss look, the nail artist, Anna (who goes by @melanated.mani on Instagram), used Cirque Colors Nail Polish ($13) in the shade Georgette.
Sheer Pale Pink Nails
Love the milky nail look but want to add a touch of pink? That aesthetic works with the “rich girl” manicure trend, too. For a similar look, try using Olive & June Long Lasting Polish ($9) in the shade Strawberry Scone.
Golden Hour Rich Girl Nails
Since “rich girl” nails are all about neutral polish, opting for a metallic nude nail look qualifies as participating in the trend. Here, Anna used Butter London’s Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer ($18) in the shade Champagne Princess.
Short Opal Nails
Here’s another example of strawberry-glazed donut nails that pass as a “rich girl” manicure. Thanks to the sheer coat of soft pink color, it’s an elevated neutral nail look that will pair well with any outfit.
Almond-Shaped Neutral Nails
How flawless is this nude nail look? It was created using Aprés Nail Natural Almond Medium Gel-X Tips ($30), topped off with Kiara Sky Nails Gel Nail Polish ($13) in the shade Tan Lines.
Bridal Chic
Opting for a touch more pigment than a classic milky white or pale pink manicure will make for a slightly bolder rich girl nail look perfect for a bridal moment. Don’t worry, though: It will still look neutral.
Bedazzled Rich Girl Nails
Let’s be honest: Not everyone wants to rock plain neutral nails—even if they’re intrigued by the “rich girl” aesthetic. With that in mind, we present Olivia Rodrigo’s bedazzled “rich girl” manicure with gemstones, a smiley face, and graphic art. Despite the quirky additions, it remains chic inspo.
