What Are "Rich Girl" Nails? (2024)

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As much as we love nail art, there's no denying the magnetic pull of a simple, classic, single-color look. Over the last year, we've seen more minimal manicure trends dominate while over-the-top styles took a backseat. Milk-bath, supermodel, and glazed-doughnut nails are all proof of this, but one of our favorites might be the rising "rich girl" nails coined by celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik.

Bachik, who works with Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, and Hailee Steinfeld, to name just a few of his A-list clients, dubbed it the "rich girl" manicure after he created the look on Lopez. This particular manicure featured extensions in a soft, tapered-square shape painted with a creamy beige polish. The final result was minimal yet polished and chic, further proving the power of understated beauty choices.

What Are "Rich Girl" Nails?

Still, you might be wondering: what exactly qualifies a "rich girl" manicure? It's all in the color choice. "'Rich girl' nails are a modern take on a sophisticated classic," Bachik tells POPSUGAR. "[The] color is a creamy, full-coverage nude playing homage to the greige inspiration originally seen with Chanel." A mix of gray and beige, greige is a cool-toned neutral that's subtle but just noticeable enough to convey that you made an effort. "I like to choose a tone one shade lighter or one shade darker than your natural skin tone, so nails are subtle yet deliberate," he says. In keeping with the rich trends of past (hello, "expensive brunette" hair), a clear, shiny, diamond-like finish is essential.

It's not just Lopez who's taken the trend for a spin: Bella Hadid, Ciara, and Steinfeld have also all worn the look in recent months. As neutrals go, this nail-polish color matches everything in your closet, meaning you always look put together and your choice always feels intentional. The shade is a foolproof, steadfast option for looking and feeling luxurious.

Luckily, you don't have to be a multimillionaire or Hollywood star to get "rich girl" nails. Instead, it's all about picking the right shade of polish. We like the Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Modern Love ($20), the Nails Inc. Plant Power Nail Polish in What's Your Spirituality ($9), and the Essie Nail Polish in Wilde Nude ($11). Or to really feel expensive, go with the Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in 578 New Dawn ($30).

Celebrity "Rich Girl" Nails Inspiration

Since picking up popularity in recent months, the trend has been seen on countless celebrities and across various red carpets — from the SAG Awards to the iHeartRadio Music Awards — so if you're looking for inspiration photos to bring to your next salon appointment, keep scrolling below.

What Are "Rich Girl" Nails? (2024)

FAQs

Why are they called rich girl nails? ›

Bachik, who works with Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, and Hailee Steinfeld, to name just a few of his A-list clients, dubbed it the "rich girl" manicure after he created the look on Lopez. This particular manicure featured extensions in a soft, tapered-square shape painted with a creamy beige polish.

How do rich girls do their nails? ›

The classic rich-girl nail is long and filed in a tapered square shape, which he says helps elongate your fingers. Next is the color choice: Stick with a full-coverage neutral shade that is either one shade darker or lighter than your own skin tone.

What kind of nails do guys like on a girl? ›

Whether it's a classic, deep red or a vibrant, eye-catching crimson, red nail polish is a safe bet when you want to make a strong impression. While bold and bright colors have their place, many guys appreciate the natural and nude look.

How much does Cardi B pay for her nails? ›

Cardi B Says She Spends $1,200 on Her Hair and Nails in Instagram Video | Allure.

Why do guys like white nails on a girl? ›

Find out here💅 #howto #lifehack ... TikTok. Wondering why men like white nails on females. Men are attracted to white nails because they highlight tan skin tones, indicate good hygiene, and may symbolize purity and innocence.

What is the classiest nail color? ›

“I would say a milky pink [think Chanel's Ballerina], due to the trend of quiet luxury,” says Kandalec. “Or if someone is a gel/enhancement girlie, I'd say an autumnal red that's deeper and more brown based versus a classic red [like CND's Classic Lipstick], or a French manicure with thin, classic white tip.”

What nail color makes you look younger? ›

Lighter Tones: Choose lighter shades of any color, such as pastels or light grays. Lighter tones help to brighten the hands and create a more youthful appearance. Sheer and Natural Finishes: Consider using sheer or natural finishes, like a sheer pink or a clear coat.

What is the classiest nail shape? ›

If you prefer a classic and elegant look, you may want to choose a round or oval shape. If you prefer a more edgy or dramatic look, you may want to choose a square, stiletto, or coffin shape.

What color nails do men find most attractive? ›

In a representative survey, the German Paint Institute found that men generally likeblue , but also likegray , black and brown . Both sexes like green about equally, while women are more likely to like red ,yellow ,beige and orange .

Should my fingernails and toenails match? ›

Should Your Manicure and Pedicure Match? Simply put, no – you mani and pedi doesn't have to match. Back in the day, it used to be mandatory to match the colour on your fingernails to your toes but, over the years this trend has become predictable and a little boring too.

What do blue nails mean on a girl? ›

What do 'light blue nails' mean on TikTok? Basically, if you've got blue nails, it means that you have a boyfriend, or you're taken. There's also a theory that when girls ask their boyfriends what colour they should get their nails done, they will apparently always say "light blue" or "baby blue".

Why are they called baby boomer nails? ›

According to nail artist Jade Tang, who spoke to Refinery29, the trend was named after the post-WWII generation because it evolved from the classic French manicure and dates back to around the 1940s. During that time (the baby boomer years), it was popular to paint your nails in shades of white and pink.

What is the old money nail trend? ›

What are 'Old Money' Nails? Old money nails encapsulate a classic, minimalist approach to nail art, drawing inspiration from the sophisticated enclaves of Park Avenue and the timeless estates of New England.

How did 16 penny nails get their name? ›

The “d” is associated with a Roman coin called the denarius, which was also the name for an English penny. So what's that got to do with nails? It was associated with nails when they were hand-forged, one at a time. Some say a hundred 3-1/2 inch nails would have cost 16 pennies and thus became known as 16-penny nails.

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