9 Very Demure, Very Cutesy Nails to Try This Fall

What Are Demure Nails?

In the extremely popular TikTok video (it has over 51 million views), Jools aka @joolieannie describes an office-friendly aesthetic that is palatable to everyone. As Jooles states, “you should never come to work with a green cut-crease.” So to translate this into nail-speak, demure nails are lowkey, simple, and clean. Think: various shades of nude nail polish, classic French tips, and tidied cuticles. Ultimately, demure nails let your natural nail shape and shade shine through—with the option to add a little flair here and there. 

If brat-green manis or sharp, stiletto nails are your thing, you should never feel obligated to tone down what you love for the sake of a trend. However, it doesn’t hurt to try something different from time to time. In fact, opting for a more demure nail can offer a welcome break from the wear and tear of more complex gel nail art and extensions. You might even find that there is a lot more nuance and variation available within the demure nail realm than you originally imagined. 

Demure Nail Inspo

Ready to put the rhinestones and neon gel polish on the backburner for a bit? We’ve rounded up nine demure nail ideas to serve as inspiration for your manicure or pedicure. 

1. Cool Milky Pearl Demure Nails

Nail artist Queenie Nguyen dubbed this look “cool milky pearl” and it’s the ultimate representation of a demure nail. Opt for a slightly opaque white base coat and top with a bit of pearlescent shimmer. 

2. Matte Naked Demure Nails 

Natural nails are in. Show off your perfectly pushed-back nail beds, trimmed cuticles, and nail file know-how (as evidenced by these squared builder gel tips) with a totally clean nail finish. 

3. French With a Twist Demure Nails

A basic French manicure is clearly the epitome of demure, but here’s an option with a little spark of added personality. A thin silvery chrome line mimics the edge of the French tip and catches the light. It’s fun, but still simple (and very demure). 

4. Sheer Peach Demure Nails

Nail artist Katie Masters gives us a wash of peachy gel for a barely there manicure that’s neutral and full of juicy shine. Look for a sheer nail polish with a hint of peachy-pink color and top with an ultra glossy top coat.

5. Vanilla French Demure Nails

Remember what we said about nuance? At first glance this might appear as run-of-the-mill French tips, but nail artist Zola Ganzorigt artfully swaps the traditional bright white tip for a creamier, warmer vanilla shade that’s so dreamy. 

6. Chocolate Dipped Demure Nails

On the opposite side of the sweet spectrum, we have a chocolatey French mani from Connecticut-based artist @sicknails69. Try a deep shade of brown on the tips with a subtle airbrushed “aura” in the middle. 

7. Glazed Donut Demure Nails

Did Hailey Bieber start the demure nails trend before it began? Jury’s still out, but the glazed donut manicure remains a perfect example of the “less is more” look with its neutral base coat and white chrome finish. 

8. Micro French Tips Demure Nails

Show off the teensiest sliver of color with the popular “micro” French manicure. Go for tips that are classic white, black, or metallic to keep it subtle and chic.

9. Glossy Rosewater Demure Nails

To get this high-shine rosewater mani, ask your manicurist for a blush-tinted jelly nail. Or to DIY the look at home, try adding a drop of pink nail polish to your favorite top coat to create a sheer pink jelly tint. 

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