Move Over Glazed Donut Nails! We’re All About Milky Nails Now

What Is the Milky Nail Trend

The milky nail trend is perhaps the easiest to hop onto and DIY. You don’t need your city's best nail artist as there’s almost no skill required or special techniques—you just have to have an eye for the right kind of nail colors. Milky nails are all about soft white, subtle, nude colors that scream effortlessly chic and clean. They can even be a spin on a French manicure. Milky nails go with everything, and if Hailey Bieber is doing it, we’re taking note.

How to Get Milky Nails at Home?

While you might be thinking the milky nail trend only highlights a color family, we’ve noticed it’s so much more. Every milky manicure we’ve noted as we scroll through our feeds featured undeniable healthy, manicured cuticles, and hydrated hands. As much as the milky nail trend urges you to choose within a color scheme, it begs you to take better care of your hands all around to complete the soft, clean look.

1. Pick Your Polish

Arguably the most important part for this look. There’s no wrong answers here! You can choose something alabaster or white, like Urban Jungle from ESSIE or something iridescent and subtle that you could always pair with a thin french tip, like DERMELECT Camo-Nude. No matter the polish pick, you’ll be looking in the nude section of your favorite nail polish brands display or website. Don’t be afraid of mixing colors or even adding a drop of water to thin out a polish to make it more opaque.

2. Prep Your Nails

Giving yourself the full manicure experience at home isn’t tough. It just requires some patience while you fine-detail. Start by soaking your nails to soften the nail beds. Then, give them a file to ensure they’re even with no sharp edges. If you need to cut them, have your nail clipper handy.

A cuticle tool is a must-have item in your at home manicure kit. It will keep them looking in tip top shape. Lastly, apply a base coat to extend your manicure and nourish your actual nails. We like ADESSE Brightening Base Coat (and IPSY members agree!), saying it’s “Left my nails stronger and healthier looking!” and “I am obsessed with this base coat. It works so well!” in their product reviews.

3. Paint Those Talons

After your base coat, you’re all set to paint your nails. We like to do two coats before finishing with a top coat. If you have an unsteady hand or need a little extra help painting your non-dominant hand try using something like the MANI MAKER Nail Polish Grip. It actually makes it easier to paint your own nails and you’ll spend less time cleaning up the edges.

4. Don’t Forget After Care

Now that you have nails that scream milky perfection, you must take care of the rest! What we mean are your cuticles and hands. By oiling your cuticles you keep everything hydrated and from peeling or tearing. You also prolong the length of your manicure as you’re less likely to pick at it. We recommend THE LYFESTYLE CO. 100% Natural Cuticle Oil for the mess-free rollerball applicator and hydrating yet not-at-all greasy finish. To keep our hands healthy, we always reach for IPSY subscriber hand cream favorite REFRESHMENTS Luscious Hand Cream in Coconut Colada.

Milky Nails Inspiration for Your Next Manicure

1. Milky French Manicure

French tips lend themselves well to this trend. After-all, most french manicures call for a milky base. Consider your french-tip loving friends the expert on this trend and beg them for all their nail polish color recommendations.

2. Chrome Accented Milky Nails

Perhaps our favorite way to enjoy the milky nail trend. Add a little chrome tip to spice things up. It’s a tiny detail that dares to be noticed.

3. Subtle Pink Milky Nails

Baby pink nails will never go out of style but this look is more of a barely-there polish. It’s natural and understated. A manicure sure to inspire questions on how your nails look so fresh.

4. Milky Marbled Nails

You’ll need a white nail polish and a soft hand to achieve this look. The white isn’t a stark white, it’s more of an accent here. Your nail artist will know what to do, just show them this photo!

5. Milk Glazed Donut Nails

Obviously the milky nail trend was inspired by the glazed donut beauty trend. We like this idea of the two trends combining for the ultimate color.

6. Cream Colored Milky Nails

This is a great example of a slightly opaque cream color. You could even try OPIs Funny Bunnyfor this look if you want more of a white manicure.

Do you want in on even more of the latest beauty trends and products? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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