While summer saw the rise of sheer, dewy manicures such as rosewater nails, autumn is leaning into creamier polishes that still manage to look translucent. Enter ‘vanilla glass’ nails, which hit just the right note for anyone craving a seasonal nail upgrade in cosy neutral shades.

So what exactly are ‘vanilla glass’ nails? Put simply, they share the same DNA as two other barely-there manicures: nude-toned BB cream nails, with their characteristic sheer glaze, and semi-opaque milk bath nails.

Proof, if any were needed, that they’re set to go viral is the fact that celebrity manicurist – and queen of demure nude nails – Harriet Westmoreland has declared vanilla glass nails the next big manicure trend. Better still, her recently launched Westmoreland Cosmetics brand features an aptly named Vanilla Gloss Collection of Glass Polishes that allow you to easily create the look at home.

According to Harriet, “the glass nail trend will be a new type of clean manicure.” For her, the emphasis is on a juicy, transparent effect and polishes that “feel thick and slick, rather than rubbery, with a high-shine finish.”

Throw in a milky, translucent shade with the merest whisper of a vanilla-inspired nude colour…Et voila! You’ve got ‘vanilla glass’ nails.

As for how you wear ‘vanilla glass’ nails? First and foremost, do the prep work. “The trend for minimal and clean manicures will continue,” says Harriet, “but in a really high-quality way with neat nails. You need to look after the skin around the nail to create that ‘natural nails but better’ look.”

Also important: match the shade of your vanilla polish to your skin’s natural undertone for a thoroughly modern finish. And remember to keep things simple. “You can’t go wrong with a minimal French mani,” Harriet adds.

Step-by-step: How to get ‘vanilla glass’ nails

Follow Harriet’s step-by-step guide to get vanilla glass nails:

Step 1: Use a hand scrub

“Scrubbing your hands every couple of days will soften the cuticles, meaning they won’t be flooded when polish is applied. I use this as a base for my manicure technique.”

Step 2: File the nail

“Be very careful when filing and always work in the same direction. Don’t over-file as it can cause brittle nails.”

Step 3: Apply base coat

“Use a good base coat and be gentle, ensuring the product applies evenly to the nail.”

Chanel La Base Camélia Fortifying, Protecting And Smoothing Base Coat

Step 4: Choose nail polish

Step 5: Lock polish in with a top coat