Milky nails, the French call them “manucure laiteuse”, are the minimalist, glossy trend everyone’s loving right now. And with good reason: their creamy, translucent white-nude sheen flatters every nail length. Let’s dive into this dreamy trend, how to recreate that delicate milky effect and our softest nail art ideas to make it your own. Milky, sweet and utterly irresistible!
Milky nails: what are they exactly?
Definition and origin
Milky nails are part of the wider minimalist movement we’ve seen over the past few years, which celebrates natural style and clean manicures, like the popular soap nails. The concept is simple: a creamy, glossy white-nude polish with a slight translucency, like a veil of frothy milk, reminiscent of a frothy latte. There are subtle twists on the trend too, like marshmallow nails with a melting-soft look or coconut milk nails inspired by coconut milk’s creamy texture.
How milky nails stand out
Milky nails are so loved because they bring together elements from several minimalist favourites. Think the glow and polish of clean girl nails, the soft creamy aesthetic of the vanilla girl look, the barely-there finish of sheer nails and the high shine of soap nails. This milky white-nude finish is a gentle bridge between these looks: natural, glossy, lightly creamy and always refined.
Celebs and inspo
This trend took off thanks to the polished styles of Nicola Peltz-Beckham and Hailey Bieber, and became even more popular through US-based nail artists like Tom Bachik and Zola Ganzorigt, who showcased it across Instagram and TikTok.
Micro white French on Kylie Jenner or almond latte style on Hailee Steinfeld (@nailsbyzola, @tombachik).
How it suits different nail shapes and lengths
Whether your nails are short for a natural, subtle look or longer for something more high-fashion, milky nails work on every length. That’s a big part of their charm, especially for anyone after a soft, creamy, cocooning effect with just the right amount of coverage: never fully sheer, never too opaque.
How to get milky nails at home
Good news: you don’t need to be a pro. With the right technique and the perfect polish, this milky manicure is absolutely achievable at home. Just follow these simple steps:
Start with a clean base
To ensure your finish is smooth and polished, start with thorough nail prep:
- File into your preferred shape (squoval, almond, oval…)
- Gently push back your cuticles for a tidy contour
- Buff the surface using a nail priming file to lift the keratin layers and improve polish adhesion
- Cleanse and degrease to create a smooth, clean canvas that enhances that dreamy milky look
- Apply a base coat from our Green™ or Green Flash™ range, depending on your chosen routine
Picking your perfect milky shade: our favourites
Milky nails come in various shades, from sheer white to creamy soft pinks. Here’s our pick of Green™ and Green Flash™ colours that capture the trend beautifully:
Milky White: the translucent classic
Milky White is the go-to. Dreamy and slightly sheer, it gives nails a delicate white veil for a soft, elegant manicure you’ll reach for again and again.
Opaques with a creamy finish: Crème & Pastel Pink
If you love a more cocooning look, these offer a creamy opacity that’s perfectly on-trend. Crème is a soft off-white polish that’s calming and comforting, while Pastel Pink is a beige-toned pastel pink with a velvety finish that adds a whisper of warmth.
From creamy opaque to sheer white with Pastel Pink, Crème or Milky White.
Nude tones: Beige & Dune
Beige is perfect for a translucent nude look that enhances your natural nail. Dune, with its sheer beige and warm undertones, adds a soft sandy glow with hints of pink for a minimalist, light-diffusing finish.
Chic and understated: milky nudes in Beige and Dune.
Milky pinks: Milky Pink, Pale Rose, Hortencia
For a baby-pink milky effect, go for Milky Pink. It captures the soft blush of winter mornings. Somewhere between pink and beige, Pale Rose is a charmingly light shade with a featherlight finish. Hortencia offers a transparent pinky veil that suits every moment.
Fall back in love with milky pinks: Pale Rose, Hortencia, and Milky Pink.
Application tips for a flawless finish
- Use just the right amount of polish to avoid overloading the brush
- Apply in fine coats for even colour. Use the three-stroke method: one down the centre, one on each side
- Keep your strokes smooth and gentle to avoid brush marks or clumps
- Use a Mani Helper for better grip and precision
- Let each coat dry properly: air dry for Green™, or LED lamp for Green Flash™
- Finish with a top coat like Sunshine Top Coat (Green™) or Green Flash™ Top Coat for lasting shine and protection
For an easy polish routine, we love the Mani Helper.
(@irasnailroom)
Chic and subtle designs for milky nails
Milky nails look stunning on their own for a minimalist vibe… or you can use them as a soft base for delicate nail art. Here are a few ideas inspired by the latest nail trends:
Milky with sparkle: Glazed & Glitter
Glitter gradient
Start with Pale Rose as your base. Then, using a glitter brush, apply Silver Glitters to the tips of your nails. Finish with a top coat to hold everything in place and give your mani that long-lasting, luminous glow.
French Glazed
Apply Pale Rose as a base, then create a French tip using Snow white polish and our must-have Mani Stamper. For a glazed, iridescent finish, add a layer of White Glazed Effect powder with its applicator. Seal with a top coat for a glossy, refined glow that works beautifully on both short and long nails.
Take your Milky nails up a notch with glitter or a glazed French finish.
(@bara.hoyle)
Milky design ideas
Bubble nails: soft and playful
This fun, delicate design begins with a base of Active Smooth 00. Then draw rounded shapes with Milky White on the tips. Add a top coat and you’re done! It gives a bubbly, cloud-like effect, like frothy latte bubbles or melted marshmallows. Subtle, charming and totally on trend.
Milky dot: graphic minimalism
Here’s the idea: one perfect dot at the base of the nail. Use a dotting tool and Snow polish on a Milky White base. Whether you go for a milky pink or a creamy white backdrop, the result is chic, modern and minimal.
Outline French: a gentle twist
A fresh take on the classic French: on a Milky Pink base, use Mist Grey to draw two fine lines outlining the tip of the nail. It’s soft and elegant, elevating the milky nail look with just the right amount of detail.
Keep it minimal: add a soft dot, a subtle French or a little bubble to your Milky nails.
(@matejanova, @irasnailroom, @griffegriffegriffe)
Why milky nails are such a hit
✔ They flatter every skin tone thanks to their soft, universal shades.
✔ They suit every nail length: from short natural nails to sculpted long ones, in round, square, almond or stiletto shapes.
✔ They’re easy to achieve at home with a classic polish kit or a Green Flash™ kit. Or, of course, at your favourite salon.
✔ They deliver a creamy, glossy finish that’s polished but never over the top.
✔ They’re ideal for everyday wear or a special occasion: a wedding manicure, a chic evening out or even a work event.
Simple and elegant, milky nails are always the perfect choice.
(@irasnailroom, @griffegriffegriffe)
Milky nails strike the perfect balance between simplicity, natural style and modern elegance. With white-nude, rosy and creamy polish shades to choose from, creating your own milky manicure is entirely within reach, whatever your nail shape or length. Whether you keep it minimal or add a creative twist with glazed effects, dots or French details, this trend is here to stay — and we love to see it 🥛✨
