PSA: There's nothing more chic than ‘milky nails’

If you’re partial to an understated neutral manicure that's not nude (but are over stark white that looks a little too much like when you'd paint wite-out on as polish in high school), we have a nail trend you’ll definitely want to hear about.

Because while we love mocha mousse and butter yellow as much as the next nail polish hoarder, it's nice to know there's a classic, neutral nail shade that's every bit as on-trend, just way easier to pull off.

Meet ‘milky nails’, the nail trend proving just as popular (and long-standing) in Hollywood as it is on the 'gram.

How to achieve milky nails at home

Gorgeous, right? We’re loving it as a new interpretation of a classic white manicure. It's still crisp and clean, just a little more modern, thanks to the cloudy finish.

As you can see, the look features white polish with a slightly translucent appearance — pretty much what a glass of milk looks like, but on your nails.

It's a blessing in many areas, too; not only is it super pretty (and celeb-approved; more on that in a minute), but as with anything, the less opaque a polish is, the harder it is to tell if there are chips or smudges. So while it's off-the-charts high on the chicness scale, the milky manicure will actually prove to be surprisingly low maintenance.

So, if you’re keen to copy the vibe, try sheering out a white nail polish like OPI’s Funny Bunny ($25 from Sephora) and Chanel's Insomniaque ($48 from David Jones). All you need to do is add a drop or two of a glossy finish clear coat — we like Essie Gel Couture Top Coat Clear ($18.99 from Priceline). 

However, if you don't fancy mixing your own polish, we completely understand, which is why we always have a bottle of Pax Polish's 'Florence' ($31 from Sephora) on hand. It boasts a transparent white finish, which can be layered to create your desired opacity.

Celebrities who've tried the milky nails trend

The queen of chic, pared-back minimalism, Meghan Markle, has sported a neat and tidy manicure awash with a milky-hued nail lacquer many times. Whether she's speaking at The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit on topics like 'Mental Wellness in the Digital Age' or hitting the red carpet, she's always the picture of luxury with a set of milky nails.

Still on the fence re: embracing a cloudy forecast for your claws? Allow the Jenner sisters to convince you.

The way we see it, the fact that both Kendall and Kylie Jenner have rocked cloudy cream manicures serves as the ultimate endorsement — it means the milky nail trend is both trendy enough for Kylie (who likes to keep up with every new nail trend) and timeless enough for Kendall (who prefers to keep things a little more classic). Sounds like the perfect storm to us.

Another celeb who's rocked the milky manicure trend? Hailey Bieber, who showed off her lactose-free tips via Instagram Stories. Bieber chose to wear her milky finish a little more sheer, letting her natural nails peek through ever so slightly, while still embracing the coveted cloudy aesthetic.

Main image credit: Getty Images

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