Milky white nails have officially earned their forever-trend status. There have been so many spinoffs of the milk-bath nail trend (see: lavender milk, blueberry milk, strawberry milk), but the OG white milky mani never goes out of style.
What are milky white nails?
The key to a great milky manicure is striking the balance between opaque and sheer. A solid white mani can be stark, while a plain sheer coat can feel too understated. The milky nail look brings the best of both worlds: It’s a creamy, semi-translucent effect that looks super chic and polished, without being too bold.
How to wear milky white nails
If you’re after a clean and elegant manicure, a white base tone is always a solid choice. It’s versatile, elevated, and flatters every skin tone. Milk-bath nails also work with just about any nail shape. While we often see them on almond tips, the look works just as well on short, natural nails—maximizing the “your-nails-but-better” manicure mentality.
When ordering up this trending look at the salon, be prepared for the same question you’d get at the coffee shop: “What kind of milk?” You can wear your milk-bath nails extra creamy, with a splash of sheer color, snowy white, or almond-tinted. You can even add a seasonal twist or an accent, like a chrome dusting or a touch of gold. There are endless variations of the milky white nail phenomenon, and we’ve rounded up all the best looks for you to choose from.
Keep scrolling for the best milky white nails inspiration, and get ready to screenshot for your next appointment.
Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.
