Food-inspired manicures have been trending — and it’s not over yet. In 2022, we got into jelly nails and glazed donut nails. Now, they're mainstays in our nail art designs. When milk nails started trending in 2023, they became a go-to for a trendy twist on a simple manicure. Now, they're making a comeback, with new twists on the classic hue.
Two years ago, celebrities like Yuqi and Dua Lipa started to sport milk nails, boosting their popularity. Also called milk bath nails at the time, the trend’s subtle nature was totally in line with simple beauty trends, similar to lipgloss nails.
Now, we're seeing the trend make a comeback thanks to the likes of Selena Gomez and Rosé. Milk nails are trending again on TikTok and Google. And it's not hard to understand why. The biggest perk is that they're versatile, lending themselves to any look or aesthetic you feel like dressing up in that day, which is especially great for spring and summer when you might feel more experimental.
If simplicity is not your thing and milk nails seem too plain for you, then no problem. The trend is super customizable thanks to the many different renditions of it. You might prefer strawberry milk nails, blueberry milk nails, or ube milk nails. Just think of a hue, and the options are endless.
It's also the perfect base for nail art. So, if you're looking for the perfect color for inverted French tips, a canvas for your 3D art, or a simple element to your maximalist nails, you're in the right place.
Here's how to exactly to achieve the milk nails look, whatever your preferred style is, we’ve got you covered. Scroll on for all the deets.
What are milk nails?
At first glance, milk nails are sheer, soft white manicures. Of course, everything about the look is customizable, from the shade of white to the opacity and the glean, but there are some key characteristics.
Milk nails work with any nail type, but short round nails or medium almond-shaped nails seem to be a popular choice, especially among celebrities. While milk nails have a bit more pigmentation, the sheer look has a shiny finish like jelly nails. This makes them more glossy than glazed donut nails, which have more of a glittery sheen, though their color palettes are quite similar. Instead, milk nails more closely resemble an old-school glass bottle of milk.
What are oat milk nails?
Oat milk nails have a warm off-white hue. Harry Styles kickstarted this trend in 2022 when he wore oatmeal nails. To give it the 2025 update, opt for a slightly sheer finish.
What are almond mink nails?
If you prefer cool tones, channel the (peeled) almond instead of the oat. To do so, find an off-white shade with an iridescent feel thanks to cooler purple and blue undertones. Rosé pulled off the look for her sporty chic outfit, which you can see here.
What are strawberry pink milk nails?
For a dose of color, you can try a fruit-infused milk manicure. Strawberry milk nails are super light, almost-white pink, like the sweet drink they’re named after. They can also be sheer and glossy, but they sometimes have a more opaque look so that they cover the white tips of the nails as well. It’s almost like a mix of the Barbiecore and milk nail trends. Or, take some inspo from Glinda like Ariana Grande.
What are ube lilac milk nails?
One of the newer twist on this trends is this purple hue that's perfect for spring and summer. It's a subtle dose of color which lends itself to more outfits if you like to dress in all sorts of colors during the season. It's also super trendy with ube-like lilac becoming a hot color in beauty. This iteration of the trend also got love from Selena Gomez and celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik. (Check out her set here.)
What are blueberry milk nails?
If pink isn’t your thing, there’s a blue option too. Blueberry milk nails are another popular choice, especially among celebrities. Though blueberry milk nails tend to be opaque, they’re a muted light blue shade that almost looks white. They similarly have a glossy finish, adding to that milk-like look.
What are banana yellow milk nails?
Yellow might feel like a daring color for nails, so if butter nails aren't quite your thing, opt for a milky finish. It's slightly sheer and more subtle, so you can test out the waters with this bolder hue. Gomez also fully gave this look a spin for spring, matching it to her outfit and showing it off in a Instagram mirror selfie.
What are chocolate brown milk nails?
For a more subtle pop of color, a light brown like your favorite chocolate milk might be the move. With mocha mousse trending, we're seeing this shade range gain a lot of popularity. So, if you want, you could even match this nail color to your lipstick.
Where to buy milk nail polishes and sets
Thankfully, it’s super easy to get a milky manicure, whether at home or in the salon. After prepping with a base coat, all you have to do is pick out the right color for you. For a sheer classic milky look, try a creamy white nail polish shade like Essie’s Marshmallow. For strawberry milk nails, find a light baby pink like OPI’s Let’s Be Friends or Essie’s Sugar Daddy if you prefer sheer pink. To get blueberry milk nails, go for a soft, light blue shade like Zoya’s Blu.
Then, apply just two coats or only one if you prefer less coverage. Finish by applying one generous layer of a glossy top coat. That’s it!
However, if you’re not one to wait for nails to dry, there are plenty of milky press-on nail options too!
Looking for more milk nail designs and ideas?
Because this trend is so customizable, it’s super easy to incorporate some nail art or nail design into your milk bath nails. You can put a twist on the classic French manicure by swapping bright white tips for a milky color. You can even add cow print or fruit for more literal interpretations of the trend. If you stick with a milky base, you can still get the French tip look by using a different finish or texture, like matte or glitter. And if you decide to go with sparkles, you can amp it up even more with stickers and charms.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with patterns too! Just choose milky nail polish colors, and use them to draw out your favorite looks, like swirls, checkers, and more.
