Minimalist Manicures Are Dominating This Spring, and “Bubble Bath” Nails Are the Most Timeless Choice

As a beauty editor, I've long been in pursuit of the perfect sheer pink nail polish to achieve a clean-looking, minimalist manicure. I've tried a lot of sheer neutral polishes—but nothing is ever as perfect as OPI's Bubble Bath nail polish. Not only is it a favourite among celebrity nail technicians, but it's reached iconic status amongst those looking for the all-time best sheer pink nail polish, OPI Bubble Bath walked so that this spring's biggest nail trends, like soap nails, milky nails and "blancmange" nails could run.
In fact, many having a running joke with their nail tech that they always ask for bubble bath nails at every single appointment—and I don't blame them. This nail colour is so timeless and chic that it's no wonder we come back to it time and time again. "If I could only wear one shade for the rest of my life, it would 100% be Bubble Bath,"Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK managing editor Poppy Nash tells me, who chooses this as her go-to nail colour most times. It also looks great alone or as a base for a French manicure or nail art.
So, if you love understated, classic manicures and want a colour that always looks elegant, OPI's Bubble Bath nails are what you should ask for at your next salon appointment.
Bubble Bath Nails
OPI's Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath is popular amongst celebrity manicurists.
So why are bubble bath nails so popular? One coat gives a sheer veil of colour that makes your nails look healthy and groomed, and two gives a pretty milky-pink hue that still allows your natural nail to shine through. It suits all skin tones, and it comes in both nail polish form if you're DIY'ing your nails at home, and also a gel version if you're headed to the salon for your mani. It also pairs really well with other nail colours—you'll find many nail techs mixing it with OPI's Funny Bunny and Bare My Soul nail shades for a custom milky manicure.
Shop OPI Bubble Bath:
Clean, fresh and delightfully minimal, nothing beats the original OPI Bubble Bath nail colour—a cult classic for a reason.
Bubble Bath Nail Polish Alternatives
If you love the look of the polish but hate wearing the same nail colour as everyone else, then worry not—there are some brilliant Bubble Bath alternatives on the market. In fact, we've scoured the feeds of top manicurists and nail experts to decipher exactly which neutral nail polishes will give you a very similar look at home.
Scroll ahead for the best sheer pink and neutral shades that will give you a Bubble Bath-inspired manicure at home.
1. OPI Put It In Neutral
Celebrity manicurist Georgia Rae (who was behind Sofia Richie Grainge's wedding manicure) often uses OPI's Put It In Neutral, which has the same lovely sheerness of Bubble Bath, but with a more neutral beige tone if you find Bubble Bath too pink.
2. Chanel Ballerina
Chanel's Ballerina nail polish is slightly milkier and leaves your nails looking well-groomed. The formula is also long-wearing too.
3. Essie Allure
4. Bio Sculpture Seafoam
If you like a true milky mani that's sheer, Bio Sculpture's Seafoam is perfect. It comes in both gel and nail polish form, so you can enjoy it at home or head to a nail tech that works with Biosculpture for the gel version.
5. Hermès Rose Coquille
6. Bio Sculpture French Rose
Shop more sheer pink nail polishes
Essie Fairy Taylor
Nails. Inc Glowing Somewhere
Barry M Cupcake
Essie Ballet Slippers
Ballet Slippers is an original favourite which gives a pretty pink veil to nails.
H&M Piece of Simplicity
Kure Bazaar's Pink French Rose
Manucurist Active Smooth

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman Home and junior beauty editor at Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections.With a degree in fashion journalism from the London College of Fashion, she has 10 years of industry experience and has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is providing readers with honest and helpful beauty content. She has interviewed celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson.
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