With barely-there manicures set to be very popular this year, having a nail polish in your arsenal that takes inspiration from famously translucent and glossy material feels very wise indeed. Moreso when said shade is also trending in its own right.
With the 2026 nail trends predicting hypernatural and glowing manicures will be on the rise, now is definitely the time to add a trusty, understated pink to your collection. After all, these sorts of subtle shades are very versatile. They can be worn alone, layered, or used as a base for a design, and come in handy during the transitional months, when a new season’s trends might feel too soon, and the last’s now dated.
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Why essie’s Gossamer Garment needs a spot in your kit
As mentioned, subtle and translucent milky nail polishes, as well as those that enhance the look of your natural talons, remain in very high demand this year, no doubt thanks to trends like soap and rosewater nails. Despite their trending status though, these sheer colours are deserving of their popularity, as not only are they incredibly versatile and timeless, but they also never fail to bring a very chic feel. Not unlike a touch of gossamer fabric would to your outfit, especially in the case of this pink hue from essie.

essie
Gel Couture Gossamer Garment
RRP: £10.99
Affording a wash of sheer, cherry-pink colour to your nails along with a glossy shine, essie’s Gossamer Garment nail polish is a great option for those seeking to achieve a silky and lightweight, pink manicure.
Described by the brand as a sheer, ‘cherry-pink,’ essie’s Gossamer Garment is the shade for those seeking a glowing, your-nails-but-better look. Its formula is versatile, however, with one coat offering the latter, while two or three more will deliver a slightly more pigmented and solid finish – ideal for recreating elegant rose nails and so on.
Like OPI’s Bubble Bath and Manucurist’s Active Smooth (both of which are popular sheer shades), this polish also works incredibly well as a base colour for a French tip nail design. While its gel-like shine makes it quite the life-saviour, if you require a professional-looking manicure, at-home and in just a few minutes.
How to apply essie’s Gossamer Garment nail polish
The key to a perfect sheer manicure is all in the prep. We recommend shaping and trimming your nails before applying one of the best nail strengtheners as your base coat, preferably a clear one, so as not to impact the tint of Gossamer Garment. All nail shapes and lengths will suit this nail colour perfectly, though we would make a case for squoval or short, square nails for a very minimalistic and au naturel look.
Then simply apply one, two, or three coats of Gossamer, depending on the opacity you would prefer, followed by the essie Gel Couture top coat, to help protect your manicure from chipping and really enhance that glossy, gel-effect shine.