Lip Oil Nails Make Your Natural Nails Look So, So Juicy

There are two things you should probably know about me: First, I have at least three lippies on me at all times, and second, I’m a mani minimalist—try as I might, I’m still a sucker for a short, square single-color manicure.Now, you may be asking yourself what exactly these two things have to do with each other, and that’s so fair! Three words: lip oil nails. The sheer manicure is pretty much built for me and anyone else who loves a naked mani, and ofc, anyone who loves a good lip gloss. Think of the look like a super shiny lip oil for your nails, but I’ll leave it to the professional to explain exactly what they are and why they’re different from, say, soap nails or jelly nails.“Lip oil nails are a sheer, ultra-glossy manicure inspired by the look of lip oil,” says nail artist Maryna Slynko. “They usually feature soft pink, nude, or milky shades that don’t completely cover the natural nail, but instead add a subtle wash of color and a juicy, almost wet-look shine. The result should feel fresh, smooth, polished, and very natural.” Before getting into some lip oil nail inspo, here are some DIY tips for prepping your nails and getting the look at home.How to create lip oil nailsCreating lip oil nails starts long before the actual polish application (more on that in a sec). It all starts with the nail prep. “For this look, a smooth, well-prepared nail plate is essential because sheer color won’t hide unevenness,” says Slynko. Make sure your cuticles are groomed and hydrated, your hands are moisturized, and your nail beds are clean before even reaching for that nail polish bottle. As tempting as it may be to rush this part of the process, it’s a key step to making your mani look luxurious. Trim or push back cuticles, trim, file, and buff your nails, and use a cuticle oil or hand cream for best results (just make sure your nail beds are totally dry so the polish will adhere properly).After prep, it’s polish time. “I recommend applying a thin layer of base coat to even out the surface, followed by one or two thin coats of a sheer pink, nude, or milky shade,” says Slynko. “The key is not to make the color too opaque as the natural nail should still show through slightly.” She recommends shades like Gelcare Gel Nail Polish in Rosehip Oil, OPI Nail Lacquer in Baby, Take a Vow, and Manucurist Active Glow to get that glossy, mirror-like finish.However, do not forget the finishing touch: top coat. “Finish with a high-shine top coat to create that signature juicy, glass-like finish that resembles the effect of lip oil,” she says. For even more reflective shine, you can brush a bit of chrome powder on top of your nails or finish with a shimmery polish.A note on nail length and shapeWear your lip oil manicure with any nail length you’d like. “Lip oil nails are very versatile and can look beautiful on any length, from short natural nails to longer enhancements,” says Slynko, though she especially loves the look on short to medium-length nails “because these lengths best complement the clean, natural, and minimalist aesthetic of the manicure.”You don’t have to overthink the nail shape, either: “I have recently noticed an interesting trend: More clients are choosing a shape that looks as natural as possible,” she says. “Instead of automatically creating a defined square, oval, or almond shape, we consider the natural structure of the nail plate and follow the existing line of its free edge.” Now that you know exactly how to create the look for yourself, check out some inspo pics for your next DIY nail sesh (or, if you’re like me, screenshot ‘em to show your nail tech before your next appointment).Lip oil nails inspo pics@themaniclub@raelondonnails@lolo.nailedit@amyle.nails@raelondonnails@themaniclubMeet the expertMaryna Slynko is an international nail artist, educator of European Manicure Techniques, beauty industry judge, and founder of Slynko Beauty Bloom Studio in Kansas.Why trust Cosmopolitan?Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmo. She’s covered (and tested) all things nails, from the coolest new polish colors to cuticle and nail care trends. For this story, she tapped nail artist Maryna Slynko for her expertise and recommendations for lip oil nails and found inspo photos from salons, celeb nail artists, and polish brands.Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.