Lopez took a classic nail trend—the French manicure—and added her own modification for a fresh, yet timeless look being dubbed “milky nails.” The final look, done by her longtime nail stylist Tom Bachik, was a soft, almond-shaped nail painted with an opaque, milky-white finish. So, what are milky nails? To be honest, it’s not too far from the glazed donut nails that are also trending on TikTok. “The milky nails look falls in between an opaque and a sheer white hue, with a creamy, translucent finish,” says Rachel Apfel Glass, founder of GLOSSLAB. “This color is the perfect neutral that isn’t as bright as a […] sharp white, giving a very naturally chic look that is perfect for any season.” Although J.Lo opted for this trend for her wedding, it doesn’t need to be reserved for special occasions. Since going viral, the milky nails trend has been adapted and re-adapted in multiple ways that can be worn every day. Nail polish lovers have even added intricate designs like flowers and pastels to create novel looks. “The beauty of milky white nails is that it’s gorgeous on people of all skin tones, and it is flattering on any nail shape or length,” Glass says.
How to Get Milky White Nails at Home
For your very own DIY glass nails, you have to start with the right polishes in your collection. And don’t skip out on the base coat, which makes all the difference, says celebrity nail artist Gina Edwards. “This look is definitely achievable at home if you don’t have the time to go to a salon,” she says. “For a creamy, marshmallow look, opt for a soft white polish and a creamier white color. When the two interact, it will give that creamy, milky look. (You can also use baby pink.) Start with one coat of the solid and add two coats of a semi-sheer polish," she explains. And don’t forget the base coat. “The base coat will add a protective barrier between the natural nail and the polish,” she adds.
Best Milky White Nail Polish
To try the milky nails trend, opt for one of the nail polishes below. To buy: $10, shop.glosslab.com. To buy: $13, amazon.com. To buy: $6; lechatnails.com.
