Clean Nail Trend: Natural, Minimal Manicures Rise with 'Clean Girl' Movement
Creatrip Team
24 days ago
A new beauty trend called "Clean Nail" is gaining popularity in South Korea, favoring natural-looking nails over ornate nail art. Celebrities like Shin Min-a, Suzy, and Cha Jung-won are showcasing short, rounded nails in nude, light pink, apricot, and beige shades that blend with skin tone. The trend emphasizes healthy nails and subtle gloss ("syrup nail") rather than bold colors or decorations, boosting demand for nail strengtheners and nutrition products—searches for nail hardeners rose 172% year-on-year in June on the ZIGZAG platform. The movement aligns with the broader "Clean Girl" trend and "pade-free" (foundation-free) makeup, reflecting a shift toward wellness, minimal beauty, and self-care; sales of nail care items at stores like Daiso increased about 10% in the first half of the year. Clean Nail is easy to do at home, supports a tidy, natural look, and highlights nail health over embellishment.
