
Jelly nails are characterised by their transparent, colourful appearance, inspired by the fruit preserve. They are created through a sheer wash of colour that acts like a shiny lip gloss for your nails. While jelly nails can be achieved by applying a jelly polish, they can also be created at home by mixing clear nail polish with a few drops of coloured polish. There are a variety of jelly nail polishes available on the market, including those from brands such as Naio Nails, Halo Gel Polish, and Butter London.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | The term jelly refers to the texture of the formula once it's applied. |
| Appearance | Jelly nails are characterised by their transparent, colourful appearance. |
| Application | Jelly nails can be applied at home or in a salon. |
| Removal | Jelly nails are easy to remove and cause zero damage to the natural nail. |
| Curing | Jelly nails can be cured using a UV or LED lamp. |
| Longevity | Jelly nails can last up to 14 days without chipping. |
| Customisation | Jelly nails can be customised in many different ways with various designs. |
| DIY | Jelly nails can be created at home by mixing clear nail polish with a few drops of coloured polish. |
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What You'll Learn

Jelly nails are a revival of the '90s trend
Jelly nails are a fun, playful, and colourful nail trend that has been making waves on Instagram and TikTok. The trend is characterised by its translucent, colourful appearance, reminiscent of the jelly shoes that were popular in the 1990s. This nostalgic trend has been embraced by celebrities like Kylie Jenner and is perfect for those who want to try something new and different.
The jelly nail trend is a great way to add a pop of colour to your look, with shades ranging from pink and purple to green and blue. The sheer wash of colour gives nails a "glossed candy" or "stained-glass" effect, making them stand out from other nail trends. The versatility of jelly nails makes them a popular choice, as they can be paired with glitter, crystals, stones, and marbling for a unique look.
Creating jelly nails can be done at home or in a salon. At-home methods include mixing a clear polish with a highly pigmented colour, or using a pre-made jelly polish. In salons, professionals may use a variety of techniques to achieve the perfect jelly nail look, including mixing colours with a clear topcoat. The trend is not limited to just one type of nail shape or size, and can be adapted to suit individual preferences.
The jelly nail trend is a fun and unique way to embrace the revival of the 1990s aesthetic. It allows for creativity and experimentation, while still being accessible and achievable for those who want to try it at home. With its bright and colourful nature, the trend is perfect for summer and adds a playful touch to any outfit or occasion. Whether you're a fan of the throwback theme or just love the look, jelly nails are a great way to add a bit of nostalgia to your fingertips.
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They are inspired by jelly and fruit
Jelly nails are inspired by the sweet, fruity treats of the same name. Characterised by their transparent, colourful appearance, jelly nails are a fun, vibrant, and eye-catching look. The trend first emerged in the 90s and has recently been experiencing a second life, with beauty brands picking up on its popularity.
Jelly nails are created through a sheer wash of colour that acts like a shiny lip gloss for your nails. This transparent quality makes the nails seem "squishy" and provides "a lot of depth", according to Cirque founder Annie Pham, who created the first jelly nail polishes. The polishes can be used to create a range of looks, from simple single-colour applications to more complex nail art.
Fruit-inspired nail art is a popular way to express yourself and celebrate life's fleeting joys. From ripe bananas to pastel palettes with peaches, fruit-themed designs can be playful and elegant, adding a touch of sweetness to your fingertips. Fruit-inspired nails can be created using paint or stickers, with two layers of top coat to make them appear hand-drawn.
Jelly nails fit into this fruity trend, with many jelly polishes named after exotic fruits. From Wild Strawberry to Sour Plum, Blue Raspberry, and Valencia Orange, these polishes capture the captivating beauty of jelly and fruit. The sheer, juicy polishes can be paired with crystal-clear gel extensions for a fabulous manicure.
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You can create jelly nails at home
Jelly nails are a huge trend, and it's easy to create this look at home. The jelly nail look is created through a sheer wash of colour that acts like a shiny lip gloss for your nails. The whole point of jelly nails is that the colour is semi-translucent and see-through. You can use regular nail polish or gel polish to create this look.
How to create jelly nails at home:
Firstly, you need to prepare your nails. Buff and clean your nails so they are ready for the base coat. Take a buffer and rub it over each nail, then wipe each nail with a cotton ball soaked in 91% alcohol to remove any lingering oils or dust.
Next, you can apply a base coat to your natural or fake nails. If you are using regular nail polish, any brand of base coat will do. If you are using fake nails, make sure they are clear or semi-clear, as this is imperative for the jelly nail look.
Now you can create your jelly polish. You can either buy a specialty jelly polish or create your own by mixing a few drops of clear top coat with coloured polish. Use a regular (not fast-drying) top coat, so the colours will mix more easily. Add a drop of opaque cream polish for a more vibrant shade. You can also play around with how sheer or opaque you want the colour to be, but remember that once the polishes are combined, you won't be able to remove the pigmented polish.
Finally, paint each nail with the mixed polish. Depending on how translucent you want your nails to be, you could do just one coat of polish. For a slightly brighter shade, do two or three coats. Avoid getting the polish on your skin for the most professional-looking at-home manicure.
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They are a great way to rest your nails after acrylics or gel polish
If you're looking to give your nails a break after removing acrylic tips or gel polish, jelly nails are a great option. Jelly nails are characterized by their transparent, colourful appearance, inspired by the fruit preserve of the same name. They are created using a sheer wash of colour that resembles a shiny lip gloss for your nails. This makes them a perfect complement to any outfit or occasion, whether it's a day at the beach or Sunday brunch.
Jelly nails are also easy to achieve, even at home. You can create your own jelly polish by mixing a clear polish with a highly pigmented colour of your choice. Simply remove the top of your clear polish, add a sizable drop of the coloured polish, and shake it up. You can play around with the opacity by adding more or less colour, but remember that you won't be able to remove the pigment once it's combined.
If you're looking for a salon experience, ask your nail technician for ""crystal" or clear tips, which are key to the jelly nail look. You can get them in any length, but longer nails showcase the demarcation between the nail tip and your nail bed more clearly. Many salons offer a range of jelly nail polishes, but if your chosen salon doesn't, you can always ask if they can mix clear polish with a drop of coloured polish to create the jelly effect.
Jelly nails are a fun and simple way to give your nails a break from more intensive treatments like acrylics or gel polish, while still enjoying a trendy and unique look. So, whether you decide to create your own jelly polish at home or head to a salon, jelly nails are a great option for a summery, nostalgic, and eye-catching manicure.
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You can create your own jelly polish by mixing clear and coloured polishes
The jelly nail trend is inspired by the '90s fashion craze of jelly shoes, which had a clear, jelly-like texture and came in bright colours. Jelly nails are created through a sheer wash of colour that acts almost like a shiny lip gloss for your nails. The natural nail line is usually visible through the polish, so you'll want your nails to look their best.
You can also make your own custom jelly polish by adding a few drops of colour into a clear polish bottle. This way, you can store your jelly polish for later use. Add only one drop at a time and roll the bottle back and forth between your palms until it is well-mixed. Test the colour and gradually add more until you're satisfied.
If you're impatient, have a fan handy to help the nails dry. If you want to make your jelly nails even more spectacular, you can add encapsulated glitter under the tips. You can also play around with different colours and designs to create a unique jelly manicure, such as ombré nails. Or, you can add glitter, stickers, decals, or rhinestones for extra sparkle and fun. You can also combine jelly nails with French tips, negative space, or geometric shapes. The contrast between the clear and opaque parts will make your nails pop!
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Frequently asked questions
Jelly nails are a type of manicure that uses a sheer wash of colour that acts like a shiny lip gloss for your nails. The term 'jelly' refers to the texture of the formula once it's applied.
You can get jelly nails at a salon or do them yourself at home. To do them yourself, you can either buy a pre-made jelly nail polish or concoct your own by mixing a clear nail polish with a few drops of your favourite coloured polish.
There are many different jelly nail polishes available on the market. Some popular options include JINsoon's Sheer Gloss Collection in Pixie, Butter London's Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment in Orange Marmalade or Strawberry Rhubarb Jelly, and ILNP's line of jellies with glitter and holographic options.
To apply jelly nail polish, first prep the nail by shaping, doing cuticle work, and removing any surface shine. Then, apply a thin layer of base coat and cure it under a lamp. Next, apply two thin layers of your chosen jelly gel polish colour, curing each layer for 30 seconds. Finally, apply a top coat and cure it for another 30 seconds.











































