A Japanese pedicure is the healthier, polish-free alternative to gel nails

Low-energy dressing, lightweight eaux de toilette, and sheer lipsticks that impart a wash of color all point to one thing: Quiet luxury is here to stay. And from top to toe, it’s showing up in pedicure preferences too. As sandal season arrives, we’re investing more in the condition of our nails than in the color they’re painted.
“I’m seeing more bookings for natural nail treatments,” says London-based nail expert Metta Francis, founder of Nails by Mets, “with clients wanting to repair and condition.” As such, they’re also happier than ever to opt for naked nails, which can not only signal understated luxury, but “can be seen as an act of rebellion against the expectation of having polish.” It may be a high-maintenance way to look low-maintenance, but why shouldn’t bare nails be a conscious choice rather than an omission?

The Appeal of the Polish-Free Pedicure

For all these reasons, P.Shine has become 2026’s must-book nail treatment. Like its manicure equivalent, the Japanese pedicure—known professionally as P.Shine—is a two-step, polish-free ritual rooted in centuries of Japanese nail care. During the indulgent experience, “a vitamin-rich paste containing keratin, beeswax, vitamin E, provitamin B5, and silica from the Sea of Japan is buffed into the nail plate using a deerskin polisher, followed by a pearl powder that seals in the nutrients and creates a soft-lit glow,” explains Maria Sharova, co-owner of London beauty bars So.Shell. “No lacquer, no UV, no chemicals. Just the nail, restored.”

Indeed, as it repairs rather than conceals, “it's particularly transformative for clients recovering from gel or acrylics,” Sharova adds, with regular sessions leaving nails stronger, smoother, and more resilient. But regardless of whether it’s your first P.Shine or your fiftieth, the treatment delivers the most incredible shine that can last for two to four weeks—something you don’t want to paint over.

At So.Shell, the Japanese pedicure combines precision foot care and immaculate cuticle work too. “Demand has grown noticeably,” Sharova says, highlighting clients who love fitted footwear as another cohort favoring it. “With no gel coating on the toenails, there's zero tension between the shoe and the nail, which means no discomfort or pressure on the nail corners,” she says of the benefit. “Beyond that, the natural finish simply reads as effortlessly polished—which is very much where taste is heading.”

Naturally, some people still want a coating on their nails, and while Francis’ new clients may be interested in naked nails, many “remain big fans of gel pedicures for the extra strength and protection they provide.” In these cases, “natural, sheer tones are in big demand,” she says—reinforcing the move toward a minimal aesthetic.

Whether opting for a classic paint, gel, or polish-free pedicure, Sharova says that at So.Shell “the common thread is that every treatment is chosen with the client's long-term nail health in mind—and people are increasingly seeking out exactly that kind of care.”
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How to Extend Your “Quiet Luxury” Pedicure at Home

While a P.Shine pedicure grants long-lasting shine, a beautiful finish on bare nails still requires a little attention.

“Use a file to keep your natural nails short between pedicures,” advises Francis, “too long and you risk ingrown toenails or breakages, especially if wearing closed shoes, including heels, boots, and trainers.” She says to file your nails straight across, using a glass nail file.

Regularly applying nail oil is essential. “Saviour's Nail and Skin Restoring Oil helps to prevent dryness and brittleness in toenails and, with its natural antibacterial ingredients, can help prevent any bacterial or fungal issues,” Francis continues.

And, finally, keep your skin supple, she adds. “Footlogix's DD Mousse is brilliant daily foot care, which moisturizes feet without the sticky feeling or being too thick. Perfect for the spring and summer months, it contains urea to effectively hydrate feet plus a microalgae extract which has antimicrobial properties to relieve skin irritations.”

From: Harper's BAZAAR UK

This article originally appeared on harpersbazaar.com/uk

Lead image: Getty

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