Non-colour nail polish for when you’ve finally removed your gel nails

Have you managed to get the last bit of gel and acrylic off your nails from your pre-lockdown life? If it’s a constant annoyance to you every time you look down at your hands, it’s not too hard to do: a bit of acetone on a cotton wool pad applied to the nail, wrapped in tinfoil, then left on for ten minutes should hopefully make it peel away satisfyingly like a bit of candle wax. For more on how to safely remove your gel or acrylic nails, it’s best to take advice from the experts.

Once you’ve removed the last of it, cleaned your nails, filed them short and applied a cuticle oil, revel in your lovely new clean nails. But if they’re looking a little dry or brittle or generally unsatisfactory, don’t get caught up in thinking, “ah whatever, it’s good to give them time to breathe.” Nails don’t breathe. I know! It was one of my more mind-bending revelations as a beauty editor too. It’s all fibs.

So, if you’re loving your new clean, short nails but hating their texture, it’s time for non-colour nails. It’s like no-make-up make-up, but for your nails: no-nails nails, if you will.

Like a crisp white shirt or box-fresh white trainers, the right natural neutral gives a luxury edge, works with everything and just makes you feel polished and clean. Here’s a selection of my favourite non-colour nail polishes, apply two light coats for a sheer subtle shine and hands that still look well-maintained, polished and chic.

Photography by @rosiehw.