Sorry, Burgundy and Black—“Bubble Bath" Nails Are Taking Over as the Elegant Mani of Choice This Winter

As a beauty editor, I've long been in pursuit of the perfect sheer pink nail polish to achieve a clean-looking manicure. I've tried a lot of sheer neutral polishes—but nothing is ever as perfect as OPI's Bubble Bath nail polish. Not only is it a favourite among celebrity nail technicians, but it's reached iconic status amongst those looking for as the all-time best sheer pink nail polish, OPI Bubble Bath walked so soap nails, milky nails and "clean-girl" nails could run.

In fact, many having a running joke with their nail tech that they always ask for bubble bath nails at every single appointment—and I don't blame them, this nail colour shade is so timeless and chic that it's no wonder we come back to it time and time again. "If I could only wear one shade for the rest of my life, it would 100% be Bubble Bath," Who What Wear UK managing editor Poppy Nash tells me, who chooses this as her go-to nail colour most times. It also looks great alone or as a base for a French manicure or nail art.

So, if you don't subscribe to the dark nail colours that usually dominate at this time of the year, OPI's Bubble Bath nails are what you should ask for instead.

Bubble Bath Nails

OPI's Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath is popular amongst celebrity manicurists.

But why are bubble bath nails so popular? One coat gives a sheer veil of colour that makes your nails look healthy and groomed, and two gives a pretty milky-pink hue that still allows your natural nail to shine through. It suits all skin tones, and it comes in both nail polish form if you're DIY'ing your nails at home, and also a gel version if you're headed to the salon for your mani. It also pairs really well with other nail colours—you'll find many nail techs mixing it with OPI's Funny Bunny and Bare My Soul nail shades for a custom milky manicure.

Shop OPI Bubble Bath:

Bubble Bath Nail Polish Alternatives

If you love the look of the polish but are after some Bubble Bath alternatives, scroll ahead for the best sheer pink and neutral polishes that will give you a very similar look at home. I found the exact shades used by Instagram's top manicurists and listed them below.

1. OPI Put It In Neutral

Celebrity manicurist Georgia Rae (who was behind Sofia Richie Grainge's wedding manicure) often uses OPI's Put It In Neutral, which has the same lovely sheerness of Bubble Bath, but with a more neutral beige tone if you find Bubble Bath too pink.

2. Chanel Ballerina

Chanel's Ballerina nail polish is slightly milkier and leaves your nails looking well-groomed. The formula is also long-wearing too.

3. Essie Allure

Essie's Allure is creamier and slightly more opaque, making it a great option for a milky manicure.

4. Diorlisse Snow Pink 800

5. Bio Sculpture Seafoam

If you like a true milky mani that's sheer, Biosculpture's Seafoam is perfect. It comes in both gel and nail polish form, so you can enjoy it at home or head to a nail tech that works with Biosculpture for the gel version.

6. Bio Sculpture Sweet Candy Breath

7. Hermès Rose Coquille

How beautiful is this sheer pink hue from Hermès? So chic.

8. Bio Sculpture French Rose

I keep seeing this shade from Bio Sculpture on every celebrity nail tech's feed, and I'm totally obsessed.

Shop more sheer pink nail polishes

9. Essie Fairy Taylor

10. Nails. Inc Glowing Somewhere

11. Barry M Cupcake

12. Essie Ballet Slippers

13. H&M Piece of Simplicity

14. Kure Bazaar's Pink French Rose