The nail trend that’s taken over our TikTok and Instagram feeds, Jelly manicures are sheer brilliance. With a nostalgic feel, this popular trend gives the best of the 90s a modern, fun revamp. Think Juicy Tubes, jelly shoes, mini jelly cups, and those iconic inflatable chairs that we all begged our mums for.
Bright and buildable, Jelly Gel Nail Polish coats your nails with a slightly see-through splash of colour, leaving your natural nails peeking through for a jelly-like effect. Here’s everything you need to know to nail the trend at home.
What Are Jelly Nails?
Juicy shades that are a total vibe, Jelly Gel Nail Polishes boast a sheer formula that washes your nails with a splash of colour. Their translucent coverage allows your natural nails to peek through for a liquid jelly effect, creating a look like no other.
Just as glossy as your classic polishes, these shiny shades give your manicure a fresh summer vibe and are most effective when painted over long nails. Why is it best to have longer nails for jelly manicures? When the natural nail line is more obvious, this allows the transparency to shine through.
The best part is you don’t have to pay the salon a visit for this popular manicure, Jelly Nails are easily DIYed.
How to DIY Jelly Gel Nails at Home
Just as easy to apply as your other at-home Gel Nail Polishes, follow these simple steps to create a gel mani that’ll have everyone jelly.
Step 1
Start by first prepping your nails as usual. You’ll want to push back your cuticles, shape the nails, and gently rough them up to allow your Base Coat to best adhere. It’s important to consider your shape and length for Jelly nails, as the effect is best achieved when the natural nail line is easily seen. Finish by cleansing the nail with a Lint Free Wipe soaked in Gel Nail Polish Remover.
Step 2
Apply a thin coat of Base Coat to your nails and cap the free edge, curing for 60 seconds under the UV/LED Gel Nail Lamp. Make sure you’re using a Clear Base Coat for best results.
Step 3
If using Builder Gel, apply this now and cap the free edge, curing each coat for 60 seconds. Again, it’s a good idea to use Clear Builder Gel to achieve the best jelly effect.
Step 4
With your chosen Jelly Gel Nail Polish colour, apply 1-2 thin coats, capping the free edge and curing after each coat for 60 seconds. As the shades are buildable, you can layer them until you’ve reached your desired coverage.
Step 5
Apply a thin coat of Top Coat, cap the free edge and cure for 60 seconds. Once cured, your jelly gel manicure is good to go. You trendsetter, you.
Looking for a video tutorial?
To learn how to paint your own Jelly manicure, watch our Jelly Gel Nail Polish Application Tutorial on YouTube.
The Six Hottest Jelly Nail Colours
Blue Jelly Gel Nail Polish
The perfect shade to plunge into the jelly nail trend with. A splash of blue that’ll have you catching waves of sheer joy, Blue Jelly effortlessly creates that stained glass look everybody is talking about. A bright sea blue, it’ll wash over your nails like liquid jelly. Best paired with a denim jacket and baby tee.
Orange Jelly Gel Nail Polish
Playful, vibrant, and undeniably fun, this Orange Jelly delivers a burst of summer sunshine no matter the season. A shade reminiscent of the transparent 1998 iMacs, this bombshell is a whole vibe. Every Jelly Gel Nail Polish is a treat, but this spotlight-stealer has stolen our hearts. Party in a bottle, much?
Lime Jelly Gel Nail Polish
Lime Jelly will have you squeezing the day, in every way. As sweet as your favourite jelly candy, this playful pop of green is the perfect juicy hue for your next DIY gel manicure. A translucent polish that’s all about the good times, it’ll have you basking in its limelight from the first coat. You know how the saying goes… When life gives you lemons, paint a Lime Jelly gel manicure (or something like that).
Hot Pink Jelly Gel Nail Polish
Bold, bright and irresistible, Hot Pink Jelly paints a pink paradise on your fingertips. Giving Y2K, this statement-maker is besties with your early 2000s Motorola, sequin purse and Juicy tracksuit. Not just a colour, this baby is a showstopper. The perfect ‘It-Girl’ gel manicure shade, Hot Pink Jelly is a forever favourite.
For a cheeky twist on your classic pink, check out Fuchsia Jelly, a juicy jolt of fuchsia that’s just as fabulous.
Green Jelly Gel Nail Polish
From jewel to jelly, this translucent Gel Nail Polish is sure to be a real gem in your collection. A jade-green hue, this unique shade promises gel manicures that are sheer beauty. Deeper-toned yet bright, Green Jelly brings a little something different to your at-home manicures. A translucent treasure, we’re calling it.
Watermelon Jelly Gel Nail Polish
A staple Jelly Gel Nail Polish, Watermelon Jelly is your red-hued essential. Your go-to for a striking summer vibe, this scorching tint refreshes with its jelly finish. Channelling your childhood lava lamp, it’s pure liquid fun. If you’ve been looking to level up your classic red manicure, Watermelon Jelly is the answer you’ve been looking for.
The Best Jelly Nail Art Designs
Stained Glass Gel Nail Polish Art
Miniature masterpieces alert. With their sheer yet colourful formulas, Jelly Gel Nail Polishes are perfect for painting ‘panes’ of stained glass, and the result is so impressive.
Start with a Clear Base Coat (and Clear Builder Gel if using), then reach for Black Out and a Thin Nail Art Brush to sketch out your lead lines. Cure, then let your creativity flow. Fill in each section with various Jelly shades, curing as you go to keep the colour blocks crisp. Go all out with a full design on each nail or give abstract French tips a go, either way, it’s a look you’ll love.
3D Oranges Gel Nail Polish Art
Hello, juicy summer nail art. 3D fruit-themed manicures are the summer trend, and 3D oranges are leading the way.
Bursting with texture, start with a coat of Orange Jelly over your Base Coat and Builder Gel (if using), then grab a Thin Nail Art Brush to paint a reverse French tip around the bottom of your nail. Use Whiteout to outline your orange sections, cure, and go back in with the same Thin Nail Art Brush to define them further.
To create the 3D effect, you'll need Clear Builder Gel and your trusty Thin Nail Art Brush. Paint a thick dot inside the wider end of each section, then slide it toward the centre. Cure after each section to lock in your perfectly sculpted 3D shape. Add a tiny white dot in the middle for extra realism, finish with a Top Coat, and voilà, the ultimate summer nail design is yours.
Use the same technique to create other 3D fruits, such as limes, lemons, grapefruits, or simply stick to your classic juicy oranges. Either way, it’s a gel mani design that screams summer, and we’re so here for it.
Looking for a video tutorial?
To recreate this look, watch our ‘3D Fruit’ Gel Nail Art Tutorial on YouTube.
Watercolour Gel Nail Polish Art
A summery watercolour mani? Yes, please! Jelly Gel Polishes are perfect for this look as their sheer formulas create a soft, dreamy wash of colour that blends seamlessly. Here, we’ve opted for a fun, tropical colourway of Orange and Hot Pink Jelly, but feel free to mix it up with your favourite shades, or switch things up on each nail.
For this design, start with a coat of Orange Jelly, then go in with an uncured layer of Blooming Gel. Drag Orange Jelly down the nail, followed by Hot Pink Jelly, letting them bloom for that soft watercolour effect. If needed, use a Nail Art Brush to further blend, then cure once you love the look. For a little sprinkle of magic, add some cute stars with our favourite white Gel Nail Polish, Whiteout, and top it off with Top Coat. Obsessed is an understatement.
