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A pair of sleek black tights can instantly elevate any fall or winter outfit—so why not apply the same look to your manicure? “Sheer-tights nails” are trending, and if you’re constantly torn between neutral, moody, and statement nails, they’re the perfect combination.
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What are sheer-tights nails?
As the name suggests, sheer-tights nails mimic the look of see-through nylons. The technique accentuates your natural nail bed without covering it completely—similarly to how your skin shows through sheer stockings. And while the concept can be executed quite simply, you can also bring in as much variety to the design, pattern, and opacity of your sheer-tights mani as you’d find in any hosiery aisle.
“The look of sheer black nails is that perfect mix of edgy and effortless. It takes something as bold as black and softens it with a translucent finish, kind of like a smoky veil for your nails,” Paris-based nail artist Andréa Barbet tells Glamour. “I think it’s trending because it fits the moment so well. People want something chic and minimal, but with a little attitude. It feels modern, wearable, and a bit mysterious: like quiet luxury, but cooler.”
Barbet was inspired to put a moody, seasonal twist on the fashion-inspired polka-dots trend, and created one of the most viral takes on the sheer-tights manicure. Below, she walks us through exactly how to get the look.
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How to get the sheer-tights nail look
For such a polished final look, sheer-tights nails are surprisingly easy to DIY. While you can have lots of fun with detail work, Barbet says that the translucent base is the most important part to nail (no pun intended).
“It all starts with the sheer black base. To create it, you just need to mix a tiny drop of black polish with a clear one, like a base coat,” she says. “Depending on how deep or sheer you want the color to be, you can adjust the ratio of black.”
After the base layer has dried, you can use solid black polish and a detail brush or dotting tool to match your mani to your favorite tights. Opt for a vintage-inspired dotted look like Barbet’s, or play with fishnet patterns, lace motifs, or simple lines to mimic seams. Once you’re satisfied with your look, seal it off with a glossy topcoat.
Which nail shapes do sheer-tights nails work best on?
You can give any nail length or shape the sheer black treatment, but Barbet says she loves it most on short squoval nails or a medium-length almond shape. Depending on the intricacy of your design inspiration, a longer tip can up the elegance and give you more space to work with. But for a clean, minimalistic look, the sheer-tights manicure is also a great way to add intrigue to your natural nails.
Keep scrolling for more super-chic sheer-tights manicure inspo—for every shape, length, and vibe.
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Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.