Soap Nails vs. Milky Nails

Soap Nails vs. Milky Nails

Soap Nails and Milky Nails are the manicure trends everyone’s talking about! Following the demand for fresh, natural-looking nails, both styles use neutral shades of Builder Gel to enhance the natural nail colour and complement skin tone. The result? A barely-there enhancement that perfectly embodies the high-demand clean girl aesthetic

What's the Difference?

While both looks are extremely similar, there are subtle differences.

Soap Nails: A sheer/translucent appearance with a glossy, wet looking finish.

Milky Nails: A creamy/cloudy appearance with a glossy finish.

The Best Builder Gel for the Soap Nails / Milky Nails Trend

Both of these styles are achieved using Builder Gel in a Bottle, an easy-to-apply, soak-off enhancement gel designed for short to medium-length nails. These gels come in a range of shades, allowing you to choose the perfect match for your client's skin tone. For the Soap Nails or Milky Nails look, we recommend Opaque Soft White or Opaque Baby Pink.

How to achieve the look

Wondering where to start with this style? Nail artist & Educator Hayley Shepley walks us through creating Soap Nails with a short step-by-step. All you need is your products for prep, a bottle of Builder Gel and Gel Top Coat. For this set, Hayley is using Opaque Soft White and Glaze 'n Go.

Check out our Soap Nails reel on TikTok or scroll down for our photo step-by-step

1. Before applying the gel, carry out full preparation of the natural nail and, if necessary, file to shape the nails so they are uniform.

1. Begin your gel application by applying a thin, even layer of Builder Gel In A Bottle to one hand, then cure in LED Lamp for 60 seconds. Repeat with the second hand.
2. Once the first layer is cured apply a second, slightly thicker layer to build shape. Cure the nails in LED light for 60 seconds. Repeat with the second hand.
3. . Remove the tacky dispersion layer by wiping over the nails with Cleanse.
   
   
4.  File and refine the nails with a 180 Combo File until smooth and balanced. Remove excess dust with your Lush Brush then wipe again with Cleanse to remove any remaining dust.
5. To get a high shine finish, apply a layer of Glaze 'n Go or Gel Top Coat, curing for 60 seconds in your LED lamp. If using a Top Coat with a tacky layer, remember to wipe with Cleanse.
   

   7. Finish the service with Nurture Oil cuticle oil.