If there's one manicure and pedicure style that has had celebrities and other major trendsetters firmly in its grasp over the past few years, it's the milky nail. It's basically impossible to attend a red carpet event without at least a few milky manicures in the mix, and the soft, delicate aesthetic shows zero signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, it just got another boost from a few of our favorite style stars, who chose the milky look for a variety of high-profile occasions—this time with a French tip! So far this summer, we've spotted the ever-trending look on Rosé, Tate McRae, Manon Bannerman, and Zendaya, and we've got a feeling this is just the beginning.
What is a milky French manicure?
As you can probably tell from the name, the milky mani (or milky pedi, don't forget the toes!) is a delicate, subtle nail color with a sheer, milky texture, typically a cloudlike white or pinky-nude color. It can be worn all over the nail as a singular shade or paired with a French manicure to brighten the tips.
Technically, this should probably be called an “American manicure,” which is a softer take on the traditional pink or nude base and bright white tips that denote a French manicure. But as any beauty trend follower knows, there are all sorts of different names floating around these days, so a milky French and American manicure are pretty much the same thing.
Why is it so popular?
Well, for one, it's easy! Celebrities with a busy schedule don't have to stress about changing up their nail color to match their outfits; the milky French looks good with everything, from sporty outfits like the one McRae wore at the FIFA World Cup game she attended in New York to the glammest, most opulent occasions like the Met Gala and the Oscars. Zendaya just wore a rosy pink milky French on her toes while in New York City to promote The Odyssey, proving that it looks just as good on your feet as it does on your fingers!
And even if you're not a celeb, you can still rock the milky French to a summer hang with friends, date night, or your weekday job! You can easily DIY this type of manicure at home with just a few shades of polish and a little practice; apply a strip of white or off-white polish to the tips of your nails, let it dry, then apply a sheer shade over the top to diffuse some of that brighter color. Done!
Why is it trending right now?
While there are plenty of summer manicure and pedicure trends to try, including bright colors like classic cherry red or sapphire blue or perhaps a little nail art, there's something about a simple, minimal mani or pedi (or both!) that always feels right. It's effortless but still polished and never feels like a trend.
What are the best nail colors for a milky French manicure?
Think simple, soft, and subtle when shopping for polishes, like plush, marshmallow white; petal pink; and sheer nudes. “Milky” is the key word here, as you don't want your nails to look too opaque. Experiment with layering to find a color combo that works with your skin tone and personal style and don't overthink it. The milky French manicure is all about ease, not stress!
