This spring, while shades like sage green and lavender are having their moment, one timeless hue continues to reign: the milky manicure. Soft, sheer, and effortlessly elegant, this minimalist look remains a favorite for its versatility and understated polish.
“Milky nails are a great option for someone who wants a sheer, neutral nail but doesn’t want any touch of pink or warmth in the color,” explains celebrity manicurist Steph Stone. “The sheerness gives your nails a more natural look than just an opaque solid white. Because of its translucence, you can really wear this polish with anything!”
So why the sudden obsession with this soft, cloudy finish? According to celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, it’s the perfect blend of trends dominating the beauty world right now. “They tie into the quiet luxury trend of nails being groomed with just a bit of coverage and then the Korean nail trend of a softer shade versus fully opaque,” Kandalec explains. OPI global ambassador Natalie Minerva adds: “I like to think of milky nails as a sort of ‘nail foundation.’ It gives a healthy glow to your nails and also helps to cover natural flaws.”
Meet the expert
- Steph Stone is a celebrity manicurist who works with Essie.
- Julie Kandalec is a celebrity manicurist and educator based in New York City.
- Natalie Minerva is the nail artist for Euphoria and an OPI global ambassador.
Keep reading for 26 milky manicures, all of which might just inspire a trip to the nail salon.
Simple Studs
Instagram/@stephstonenails
Stone kept this milky look simple by pairing an Essie polish with a metallic triangle at the base of each nail.
Heart Decals
Add a touch of romance and whimsy by throwing in some gold decals on top of a milky base. It’ll make the metallic details pop all the more with its cool contrast.
Soft Shimmer
Instagram/@stephstonenails
Simple and pretty, this look from Stone has an ever-so-subtle hint of pink and lots of finely milled silver shimmer for a seamless glimmer.
Floral Appliqué
Instagram/@stephstonenails
Inspired by this floral appliqué from For Love and Lemons, Stone created this sweet and pretty look. It features simple white flowers with a crystal center atop a milky white base.
Soap Nails
Instagram/@lolo.nailedit
Take your milky manicure in a slightly different direction than ballerina pink with a splash of beige for a soap manicure.
Milky French
French manicures will always be a staple style. After all, they’re simple and so classy. But if you want a timeless nail with a bit of a modern twist, make it monochromatic with a milky white base that overlays the bright white French tip.
Chrome Futuristic Tips
Chrome silver is always a surefire way to ensure you have the coolest nails in the room (in my opinion, anyway!). But adding an edgy silver atop a white French mani? Elevated, cool, and so so enviable.
Bridal Chic
Instagram/@julieknailsnyc
“This is a structured manicure using colored gel builder in a bottle (commonly called BIAB,” says Kandalec.
Coconut Milk
Instagram/@lolo.nailedit
This bright milky white is the shade Coconut Milk from a past collab between Orly and nail artist and content creator Jess Brush. It’s a simple shade with no shimmer or pink undertones.
Marbled
Instagram/@klawsbysonia
This ethereal look uses a milky white to create a marble finish. The addition of gold leaf and fine 3D drips add even more opulence to the look.
Bubble Bath
Minerva did this look on Kaia Gerber for the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty. “As you can see, it showcases the natural nails in an elevated way,” says Minerva.
Kitschy Accents
Instagram/@stephstonenails
Stone is in love with this playful look she created. “I painted dust sprites on my nails and my mani has never made me happier,” says Stone.
Spooky Spider
Minerva did this spider-inspired look on Emily Rudd. “This is a fun twist for a milky set and since it’s spooky season, it seems appropriate,” says Minerva. “I did a milky white with spider webs across the nails.”
Ballerina Neutral
Instagram/@stephstonenails
For a nearly bare look, Stone painted this look using just Chanel Ballerina. By keeping the coats minimal, she was able to get a super natural look.
Milky Layers
Instagram@julieknailsnyc
“This very subtle pink shade gives it the milky nails feel,” says Kandalec.
Pearls & Lace
“I recently did my friend Breanna Box’s nails for her wedding and did a milky nude base with painted lace detailing and pearl adornments that matched her dress,” says Minerva.
Diffused French
Instagram/@merlin_nails
This milky look is a diffused take on the beloved French manicure. A milky white at the tip blurs into a nude base for a clean look.
Touch of Gold
Instagram/@gossipandgloss
Thick bands of gold foil add weight to this otherwise airy look. The foil is applied in an organic way that keeps it from looking too glam.
Matte Milk
Instagram/@gossipandgloss
Milky nails don’t have to be glossy. This matte look is accented by a shimmery gold micro tip for a clean and cool look.
New Growth
Instagram/@gossipandgloss
Tiny green sprouts adorn this milky nail for a fresh, springy look. You have to look close to notice, but each leaf is filled with green glitter to add even more visual interest.
Metallic Curves
Instagram@gossipandgloss
To enhance this milky manicure, thin gold lines have been applied to a few nails. The lines follow the natural curve of the nail, adding dimension while allowing the nail to appear longer.
Minimalistic Hearts
Instagram/@lolo.nailedit
This one is for the girls who love milky pink. It uses a milky polish with lots of pink to create a sweet and pretty base. A few nails also get a red heart to up the sweet factor.
Chrome Pearls
Instagram/@klawsbysonia
This milky chrome look features pearl decals for a gorgeous look that screams bridal. It’s simple and elegant.
Gold Chains
Instagram @stephstonenails
Are plain old milky nails a touch too simple for you? Try adding an accessory—like, say, a miniature gold chain—to each nail.
Lip Gloss Nails
Instagram/@lolo.nailedit
Early aughts nostalgia lovers, we got you. For a milky, lip gloss-inspired manicure, try a few swipes of a sheer, pinky-beige shade.
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