Jelly Nails vs Lip Gloss Nails: Which Trend Should You Try Next?
Glossy Nails Are Back—But Which One Wins?
Glittery nails will be a major highlight of the cosmetics industry by 2025. Glossy, glass-like manicures are becoming more popular than ever, thanks to viral TikTok tutorials and high-end runways. Jelly nails and lip gloss nails are two of the most popular glitter manicure designs right now. Although they’re very different, both have a strong shine and a translucent surface that catches the light brilliantly.
So what’s the difference, then? Which look best suits your skin tone, lifestyle or aesthetic? More importantly, how can you replicate each style at home without spending hours at the salon? Everything you need to know is covered in this comprehensive guide, including the main differences between jelly and lip gloss nails, their pros and cons, do-it-yourself instructions, tips on matching skin tone and trends to keep your manicure looking great.
What are Koren Jelly nails?
Korean jelly nails, a popular K-Beauty manicure trend, are known for their shiny, transparent and confectionery-like texture. These nails, which create a mirror-like look using sheer gel polish that reflects light brilliantly and gives hands a fresh, youthful glow, are inspired by the delicate, dewy aesthetic of Korean skincare and fashion.
Why Korean Jelly nails are so trendy?
Crystal-clear appearance similar to jelly candy or syrup nails.
Minimalist yet eye-catching—perfect for everyday wear or special occasions.
Popular colors include soft pinks, pastel ombrés, and juicy reds.
Often enhanced with glitter, dried flowers, chrome powder, or 3D nail art.
Celebrity-approved: Worn by K-pop idols like BLACKPINK and IU.
What Are Lip Gloss Nails?
In contrast, lip gloss nails are more like your favorite naked lip gloss manicure. They are transparent, sheer and extremely shiny, and often come in milky or neutral shades like creamy beige, blush pink or soft peach. This look is ideal for a clean-girl look, emphasizing the ease, elegance and simplicity of polish, and is now dominating 2025 beauty trends.
Unlike shiny and expressive jelly nails, lip gloss nails are delicate and sophisticated. They are suitable for professional and everyday wear as well as bridal wear. Their finish resembles the shine of a freshly applied lip gloss and they look smooth and wet. To enhance their subtle appeal, these nails are usually paired with short, natural nail shapes such as almond or squoval.
Jelly Nails vs Lip Gloss Nails: Full Comparison
1. Finish
Jelly nails look spongy, semi-transparent and have a juicy, candy-like shine. Lip gloss nails provide a smooth, lightweight wet shine that shines like real lip gloss.
2. Color Palette
Bright neons, tropical colors and lovely pastels are all available for jelly nails. For a more subtle look, try milky beige, blush pink and soft nude shades for lip gloss nails.
3. Opacity
Buildable and semi-sheer, jelly nails can be layered for more intensity. Lip gloss nails are designed to look natural and less noticeable. They range from sheer to almost transparent.
4. Vibe & Aesthetic
Jelly nails are cheerful, youthful and expressive; they are ideal for summer or artistic nail art. Lip gloss nails are simple, sophisticated and neat—perfect for both bridal and everyday wear.
5. Application Style
Both methods are suitable for beginners. While lip gloss nails use a sheer polish directly with a shiny top coat, jelly nails often use color and transparent polish for translucency.
6. Skin Tone Compatibility
Coral, mango, and lavender are examples of warm colors that look good with jelly nails. Lip gloss nails offer a subtle shine that compliments warm skin tones with peach, rose, and nude shades.
7. Trend
Korean nail art tradition and Y2K trends are the origins of jelly nails. Inspired by the glossy makeup trend, lip gloss nails are an integral part of the clean-girl look.
8. Occasion Suitability
At parties, getaways and stylish gatherings, jelly nails look absolutely gorgeous. Lip gloss nails are ideal for weddings, workplace and simple beauty events.
How to Do Lip Gloss Nails at Home
In contrast, lip gloss nails are more like your favorite naked lip gloss manicure. They are transparent, sheer and extremely shiny, and often come in milky or neutral shades like creamy beige, blush pink or soft peach. This look is ideal for a clean-girl look, emphasizing the ease, elegance and simplicity of polish, and is now dominating 2025 beauty trends.
Unlike shiny and expressive jelly nails, lip gloss nails are delicate and sophisticated. They are suitable for professional and everyday wear as well as bridal wear. Their finish resembles the shine of a freshly applied lip gloss and they look smooth and wet. To enhance their subtle appeal, these nails are usually paired with short, natural nail shapes such as almond or squoval.
What you’ll need.
- Base coat
- Sheer nude or blush polish
- High-gloss top coat
- Nail buffer
Lip gloss nails are even easier to apply and require fewer tools. To get a smooth surface, lightly polish your nails and then wash them with alcohol. After applying the base coat, let it dry completely. Depending on how transparent a finish you want, apply one to two coats of sheer nude or pink polish.
For a unique look on wet nails, apply a high-gloss top coat after the polish has dried. You can also apply a gel top coat or chrome powder for added dimension and shine. Since subtlety is important for lip gloss nails, make sure your layers are even and thin.
Peach or creamy pink shades look particularly good on Indian complexions. They maintain the clean, understated elegance of this style while also bringing out the warmth of your skin. The end result is a sophisticated, professional manicure that looks great in any setting.
Steps Prep nails:
- Buff lightly and clean with alcohol.
- Apply base coat:
- Let dry. Apply sheer polish:
- Use 1–2 coats of nude or blush polish.
- Top coat: Seal with a glossy finish.
- Optional: Add chrome powder for extra shine.
Match your skin tone with your nails
Matching your nail color to your skin tone can drastically change the feel and look of your manicure. Coral, mango yellow, or watermelon red jelly manicures look great on warm complexions like blonde and olive. These colors give a bright, cheerful feel while enhancing your skin’s natural warmth. Warm beige, rose blush, or peachy nails also look great with nude lip gloss and provide a subtle shine that pairs well with your complexion.
1. For Warm Undertones (Golden, Olive)
Jelly Nails: Coral, mango yellow, watermelon red
Lip Gloss Nails: Peach nude, rose blush, warm beige
2. For Cool Undertones (Pink, Blue)
Jelly Nails: Lavender, icy mint, berry pink
Lip Gloss Nails: Soft pink, sheer lilac, cool nude
3. For Neutral Undertones
Both styles work well—try muted peach or translucent taupe.
Maintenance & Aftercare
Jelly nails
Reapply top coat every 2–3 days
Use cuticle oil daily
Avoid hot water for 1 hour post-application
Maintaining glossy nails requires a bit of care but is far from complicated. For jelly nails, it’s important to reapply a top coat every two to three days to maintain shine and prevent chipping. Using cuticle oil daily helps keep your nails hydrated and healthy. Avoid exposing your nails to hot water for at least an hour after application to preserve the finish.
Lip Gloss Nails
Buff lightly every few days to maintain shine
Use a high-gloss top coat weekly
Keep nails short and clean for best results
Lip gloss nails don’t require much care and are easy to maintain. To keep your nails looking shiny, lightly polish them every few days and apply a high-shine top coat once a week. Maintaining neat, short nails makes them easier to maintain and enhances their overall look. With the right care, both styles
FAQS
How to do Jelly style nails?
Step-by-Step Jelly Nail Tutorial
- Prep Your Nails
- Apply a Base Coat
- Create or Choose Your Jelly Color
- Apply the Jelly Polish
- Seal with a Top Coat
- Optional Enhancements
What are Jelly nails trend?
Jelly nails also known as glass nails or syrup nails—are a translucent, high-gloss manicure style that mimics the look of colored jelly or candy. This nostalgic trend draws inspiration from the sheer, vibrant hues of 90s jelly sandals and has made a major comeback in 2025 thanks to its playful yet elegant aesthetic.
How you can do Jelly polish nail style?
To get perfect Jelly nails at your home follow the steps we have covered in a different blog.
How to style like Japanese Jelly nails?
Japanese jelly nails are a dreamy fusion of translucent color, kawaii charm, and meticulous gel artistry. This style—often called glass nails or syrup nails—originated in Japan and has become a global trend thanks to its soft, juicy finish and endless customization options.
What are best Jelly nail polish?
Born Pretty, Starrily, OPI, Essie, Sally Hansen, Manucurist, Gucci, Jello Jello (K-Beauty), MAYCHAO, AILLSA these brands provide best Jelly nail products.
Conclusion
Although they both offer a beautiful and shiny finish, lip gloss and jelly nails appeal to different tastes and fashions. If you like a unique, transparent style with a glass-like shine, jelly nails should be your first choice. However, if you prefer a shiny, creamy texture like your favorite lip gloss, lip gloss nails are the trend these days.
Ultimately, your mood, schedule, and how glamorous or simple you want your manicure to be will determine the right choice for you. Whether you’re going to a salon or doing it yourself, both looks are 2025-approved, adaptable, and Instagram-worthy.
