The Princess of Wales skips polish at Wimbledon for a 'Japanese manicure'
ETimes | July 17, 2026 10:39 PM CST
Catherine, the Princess of Wales , hardly needs a bold red or a French tip to make a manicure moment. For the Wimbledon men's singles final, on Sunday, 12 July, she skipped the polish. Instead, the royal went for a barely-there ‘ Japanese manicure ’, which the fashion girlies are raving about. The polish-free, bare, glossy manicure looks absolutely natural.
This is not a one-off. The Princess has always been a fan of milky pink bases or nudes, and she saves colour for rare occasions. But this particular pearlescent, almost translucent-shine manicure has become the talk of the town. And it’s not something new. This manicure has long been a favourite for women who prefer natural-looking nails. Now, it is taking over nail salons while gel and acrylic devotees nurse their damaged nail beds.
What exactly is the Japanese manicure?Japanese manicures are named after the Japanese brand P. Shine. It is a two-step buffing technique that results in natural-looking, shiny nails. Interestingly, this treatment has nothing to do with coloured polish or UV lamps. According to Vera Maximova, a diamond nail technician at Gorgeous Gorgona in New York City, the technique has two steps, and all it needs is a paste and a powder.
The result is natural-looking nails. It “looks as though you’ve applied a clear gloss polish, but there’s nothing on the nail. The plate has a bright, almost unnatural shine that comes entirely from the buffing and the paste,” Maximova told the magazine.
Bye-bye polish
Nail technicians are already seeing the shift. Women, especially younger ones, are keen to keep the natural look of their nails. They are also not buying the ‘anything for fashion’ mindset. Most have a more holistic approach. Many are staying away from gel manicures, which, if not done by trained technicians, can result in damage to the nail beds.
“We are seeing a major shift towards wellness and natural health in beauty, and nails are finally having their moment. People are tired of the damage cycle: getting gels, watching nails deteriorate, taking breaks to recover. The Japanese manicure is a simple solution to this,” Yana Galiyeva and Maria Sharova, co-owners of So.Shell, told ELLE.
Benefits of the Japanese manicure
This Japanese manicure, on the other hand, does not damage your nails. It gives you a natural shine and a clean, polished look without any polish. Plus, you don’t have to spend hours at the nail salon. “It’s a beautiful choice for summer, when many people prefer to take a break from polish and enjoy their own natural nails,” Darya Kholodova, expert nail technician and co-founder of Darlings Beauty Lab in New York City, told Vogue. When done the right way, a Japanese manicure gives you an elegant pearl shine.
Can you try it at home?Kits with the paste and buffers do exist for at-home use, and they’re not hard to track down online. However, technicians who specialise in the method generally recommend booking an appointment, at least for your first try. The buffing pressure and application technique matter more than they might seem; too much friction can do the opposite of what you’re aiming for.
So, is the Japanese manicure good for strengthening your natural nails? There’s no guarantee of that, but it certainly spares you the gel manicure removal process. Consider it a low-maintenance manicure if your nails are in decent shape.
This is not a one-off. The Princess has always been a fan of milky pink bases or nudes, and she saves colour for rare occasions. But this particular pearlescent, almost translucent-shine manicure has become the talk of the town. And it’s not something new. This manicure has long been a favourite for women who prefer natural-looking nails. Now, it is taking over nail salons while gel and acrylic devotees nurse their damaged nail beds.
What exactly is the Japanese manicure?Japanese manicures are named after the Japanese brand P. Shine. It is a two-step buffing technique that results in natural-looking, shiny nails. Interestingly, this treatment has nothing to do with coloured polish or UV lamps. According to Vera Maximova, a diamond nail technician at Gorgeous Gorgona in New York City, the technique has two steps, and all it needs is a paste and a powder.
The first step involves massaging a paste made of diatomaceous clay, which comes from the fossilised remains of algae. The second step is buffing in a sealing powder, which is usually a mix of beeswax, keratin, and mineral-rich ingredients. This gives the nails a glossy finish. These ingredients are applied with a specialised chamois (a type of leather) buffer.
The result is natural-looking nails. It “looks as though you’ve applied a clear gloss polish, but there’s nothing on the nail. The plate has a bright, almost unnatural shine that comes entirely from the buffing and the paste,” Maximova told the magazine.
There’s no soak-off, no chipping, and no awkward two-week grow-out line creeping up from your cuticles. Because nothing is layered on top of the nail, the finish grows out invisibly and is simply refreshed every few weeks.
Bye-bye polish
Nail technicians are already seeing the shift. Women, especially younger ones, are keen to keep the natural look of their nails. They are also not buying the ‘anything for fashion’ mindset. Most have a more holistic approach. Many are staying away from gel manicures, which, if not done by trained technicians, can result in damage to the nail beds.
“We are seeing a major shift towards wellness and natural health in beauty, and nails are finally having their moment. People are tired of the damage cycle: getting gels, watching nails deteriorate, taking breaks to recover. The Japanese manicure is a simple solution to this,” Yana Galiyeva and Maria Sharova, co-owners of So.Shell, told ELLE.
Benefits of the Japanese manicure
Anyone who has cycled through years of gels will know how the journey goes. Gel manicures look flawless for weeks, until the removal process leaves nails thin, flaky, and prone to peeling. Then comes the inevitable ‘nail detox’, those awkward months of bare, weak nails before you’re tempted right back into another set.
This Japanese manicure, on the other hand, does not damage your nails. It gives you a natural shine and a clean, polished look without any polish. Plus, you don’t have to spend hours at the nail salon. “It’s a beautiful choice for summer, when many people prefer to take a break from polish and enjoy their own natural nails,” Darya Kholodova, expert nail technician and co-founder of Darlings Beauty Lab in New York City, told Vogue. When done the right way, a Japanese manicure gives you an elegant pearl shine.
Can you try it at home?Kits with the paste and buffers do exist for at-home use, and they’re not hard to track down online. However, technicians who specialise in the method generally recommend booking an appointment, at least for your first try. The buffing pressure and application technique matter more than they might seem; too much friction can do the opposite of what you’re aiming for.
So, is the Japanese manicure good for strengthening your natural nails? There’s no guarantee of that, but it certainly spares you the gel manicure removal process. Consider it a low-maintenance manicure if your nails are in decent shape.
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