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Monday, September 28, 2026

BBC faces backlash over story claiming viral bare fingernails trend is 'racist and classist'

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By WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

The BBC has been accused of publishing 'divisive tosh' following an article about how a viral manicure trend is 'classist' and rooted in 'white supremacy'. 

In the article, a nail salon owner is interviewed about how her customers are increasingly asking for 'bare-looking' fake nails. 

Paloma Buddemeier, who runs Wumman Spa in London, told the corporation the demand comes off the back of a chic 'viral trend' on social media, which is symbolic of 'quiet luxury'. 

But, according to the BBC article, nail art is 'linked back to black, Latino, and Asian communities' and the 'high status' connotation of the new 'bare' look could 'stigmatise bold manicures'. 

Beauty journalist Kristina Rodulfo claimed the 'minimalist' craze is instead a sign of classism and racism.

She told the Beeb: 'That trend really promotes blankness and this kind of sameness and erasure of culture and identity that is so important to black and brown communities.

'They are often called elegant or tasteful, and these are often usually euphemisms that perpetuate white supremacist standards of beauty.'

She added: 'The examples are almost always white women or celebrities... (and) they'll often conflate class and taste with that bareness.'

A new 'bare fingernail' trend is taking social media by storm. But critics have said the craze is steeped in 'white supremacy' 

However, the comments have been met with fury as the BBC faces accusations of trying to 'promote their woke Left wing agenda' with 'utterly insane' content. 

Ex-Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies MBE said: 'This piece of divisive tosh is sadly very reflective of today's BBC.'

Choreographer Rosie Kay wrote: 'This is beyond utterly insane. Ffs just stop. Stop right now. You're a disgrace.' 

Opera historian Alexandra Wilson said: 'The politicisation of absolutely everything is becoming deeply tedious. We used to be a sane country. 

'Women could wear nail varnish or not, according to their preference, and nothing further needed to be said, certainly not by the BBC.' 

She added: 'This is the most absurd story ever and it demeans the BBC to be reporting as "news" that going without nail varnish is (apparently) classist and racist.'

Meanwhile X user Luke Jackson said: 'Typical BBC, publishing outright lies to promote their woke Left wing agenda.'

The Daily Mail has approached the corporation for comment. 

  • Do YOU have a story? Email William.G.Hallowell@dailymail.co.uk 
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