I know what you're about to say: Essie Ballet Slippers is the original nail colour. It's so famous that even the late Queen Elizabeth II adopted the shade as her signature manicure. Launched in 1982, the iconic bare pink polish has long held cult status, so how can it be that this barely-there hue is now making the rounds again? We have the beautysphere's obsession with sheer, milky, next-to-nude manicure trends to thank for that.
Whether you favour a hazy French tip or a pared-back Japanese mani , there's no bigger quiet-luxury beauty trend this year than a tidy, elevated set of tips. From 'princess' and ' bubble ' to 'milk' and ' vanilla gloss ', soft, flattering pink nail shades have dominated 2026 so far, and it's therefore no surprise that the vintage-inspired 'ballet slippers' nail trend is making a striking return. As we continue to watch trends roll in from the ELLE UK beauty desk, I decided it was time to give the original nude varnish (and the adjacent shades that have gained fame since) a much-deserved revisit.
While the trend of ballerina and ballet slipper nails have transcended the classic polish, there's no arguing that its roots lead straight back to the original Essie shade.
'Ballet Slippers works because it enhances rather than announces. It always looks polished, clean, and intentional without ever feeling dated,' says celebrity nail artist Michelle Humphrey . 'Trends evolve, but clean, natural nails will never not be a trend, they're the foundation of good grooming, and Ballet Slippers sits right at the heart of that and complements every length and shape of nail - Ballet Slippers is basically the little black dress of nails and should be in everyone's manicure wardrobe!'
She describes the shade as calm and considered, which I couldn't agree with more. 'It aligns with the wider move toward quiet luxury, skincare-led beauty, and manicures that feel effortless rather than overworked. It's understated confidence.'
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