logo
'Milk Nails' Are The Perfect Summer Manicure For Minimalists - Here's How To Recreate Them

'Milk Nails' Are The Perfect Summer Manicure For Minimalists - Here's How To Recreate Them

Elle09-07-2025
Anyone well versed in the endless array of summer nail trends doing the rounds right now will be au cour with juicy Korean Jelly nails, the new high-shine aura manicure, and colourful cat-eye fingertips. But if you veer more towards a softer aesthetic, the trend to have on your radar this summer is 'milk nails'.
Destined for those who favour manicure minimalism, milk nails are the epitome of a classic 'quiet luxury' mani - milky or cream whites with a sheer or translucent finish - and have been filtering onto Instagram feeds this summer as welcome respite from the loud neon and colourful French tips that have been circulating online.
'A much softer version of a white manicure, the milk nail manicure is a minimalist nail trend achieved by applying a semi-sheer white or pale nude polish to paint a more subtle wash of colour to mimic a soft and creamy 'milky' appearance,' says Ami Streets, a session manicurist for Kure Bazaar.
Milk nails tap into growing demand for 'quiet luxury' manicures; effectively, your-nails-but-better trends that centre upon glossy finishes and nude bases. 'This look has become popular because it looks super chic on any nail length. The neutral colour looks clean and polished, and works perfectly as an understated shade that complements any skin tone and ensemble - it's a great effortless but elevated look,' shares Streets.
There are a number of different variations on the trend taking shape too. 'The classic milky white is the most iconic but for a modern twist, chrome or shimmer finishes can be layered over the milky base to create a glazed or pearl-like effect, (this looks gorgeous as an update to a french manicure with a milky base and glazed tip),' notes Streets. You can also add 3-D accents for a more maximalist take on the trend, or add depth using an aura finish.
First, choose your shape – almond, square or round. Next, choose between polish, gel or BIAB. 'To emulate the milk nail manicure at home with regular polish I'd recommend Essie's Allure or Marshmallow shades, (Allure is slightly creamier and warmer in colour and works well for deeper skin tones) or OPI's Funny Bunny, (one of the classic go-to colours for this look and popular with celebrities) as they have a beautiful high shine finish,' shares Streets. 'I also love Kure Bazaar's Beige Nail Hardener for those looking for a tinted treatment product with added nail care to improve the health and appearance of natural nails over time.'
You can also custom build your milky base. 'If you already have a favourite sheer nude or soft pink tone polish you can always custom-mix a milky base using a drop of pure white polish and adjust the opacity by applying either one or more layers for your perfect finish,' she notes. Finally, the key to nailing this manicure lies in the high-shine finish so add a final glossy top coat.
ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Heavy metal icon battling ‘devastating' form of cancer gets married
Heavy metal icon battling ‘devastating' form of cancer gets married

Yahoo

time42 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Heavy metal icon battling ‘devastating' form of cancer gets married

David Roach, the frontman for popular heavy metal rock band Junkyard, got hitched to his fiancée, Jennifer, amid the rock star's ongoing battle with cancer. Junkyard shared an Instagram post on Sunday, July 20 capturing the wedding with the description, 'Congratulations to the happy couple — Mr. and Mrs. David Patrick Roach." Roach's child, Ray, also posted about the wedding on Instagram with the caption, 'Did you know that you can get a free wedding venue if you just do it in the cancer center lobby after hours? Welcome to the Roach fam Jennifer!' The members of Junkyard attended the ceremony as well, according to both Instagram posts. Roach wrote in a Jan. 21 Instagram post that he was 'going through a medical issue that I'll be dealing with for at least a few more months.' Junkyard later announced in a Jan. 31 Instagram post that Roach was hit with 'an aggressive cancer diagnosis.' The singer was admitted to the hospital last month after experiencing a persistent fever and cough. 'We're still struggling to process the news we received on Tuesday,' a June 26 Instagram post from Roach and Jennifer read. 'We got results that have completely shattered our world. It's devastating and life-altering, and we're trying to navigate through the emotions and uncertainty that come with it.' Despite this uncertainty, Roach was 'showing such incredible strength and resilience,' according to the Instagram post. 'Even in the midst of this darkness, he's still managing to keep his sense of humor,' the post continued. 'It's a reminder of how amazing he is.' The band started donating a portion of every sale of their merchandise to help pay for Roach's medical expenses. The singer was also selling his plaque art to cover the cost of bills. Additionally, a GoFundMe was created in March to help the musician combat 'the financial strain from medical expenses and daily living costs.' The campaign has raised more than $35,000 to date. 'Your support means the world to David, and it will truly help him through this difficult period,' the GoFundMe reads. 'Thank you so much for showing him the love and kindness he deserves!' Junkyard formed in Los Angeles, California in 1987. The band, which is often compared to Guns N' Roses, possesses a 'raw and bluesy hard rock' sound 'with a metal accent and roots in hardcore punk,' according to AllMusic. Junkyard released four studio albums from 1989 to 1998 before going on hiatus. However, the members regrouped a few years later. Junkyard released its first new studio album in almost 20 years, 'High Water' in 2017, as well as their latest singles, 'Lifer' and 'Last of a Dying Breed,' in 2021. More music content Magical music of 'Harry Potter' will come to life at Springfield Symphony Hall Legendary Mass. satirist who sang of the joys of 'poisoning pigeons' dies at 97 Live Wire: Ware River Club celebrates 25th anniversary of second album Iconic metal group celebrating 25th anniversary with special album release Rock legend shares heartfelt message after canceling final show of career Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword

Punk musician Jock McDonald dies in ‘freak swimming accident'
Punk musician Jock McDonald dies in ‘freak swimming accident'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Punk musician Jock McDonald dies in ‘freak swimming accident'

Singer Jock McDonald of the punk band The Bollock Brothers has died 'in a freak swimming accident' in Bundoran, Ireland. He was 69. News of his death was confirmed by his bandmate, drummer Pat Pattyn, on social media. 'It is with great sadness in my heart, I have to bring you this terrible news… sadly, our singer Jock McDonald died last night in Ireland, apparently a freak swimming accident,' he wrote on Facebook. 'His children asked me to tell you all via this way… his family and all the Bollock Brothers are in shock… we are going to try and give this a place, but that won't be easy.' He asked for privacy for himself and McDonald's family. 'Rest in peace, my friend… I will miss you,' he said. Donegal Live reported that McDonald was taken from the water near the diving boards at Bundoran beach by volunteers for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) on Saturday evening (26 July). He was rushed to Sligo University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A promoter, DJ, manager and musician, McDonald was born Patrick Joseph O'Donnell and grew up between Donegal and Clydebank, Scotland. Formed in 1979 by McDonald, The Bollock Brothers rose to fame with their English-language cover of French musician Serge Gainsbourg's song 'Harley David (Son of a Bitch)'. Other notable releases included their original song 'The Slow Removal of the Left Ear of Vincent van Gogh', which featured Martin Glover from the band Killing Joke. In 1983, they released a cover version of the Sex Pistols' album Never Mind the Bollocks featuring Michael Fagan, the man who twice broke into Buckingham Palace the previous year. Over the years they released nine albums, including their debut The Last Summer and 1987's The Prophecies of Nostradamus. Their latest studio album, Last Will and Testament, was released in 2009 and dedicated to their longtime keyboard player, 'Big Mark' Humphries, who died on 31 March 2008. McDonald was reportedly working on new music prior to his death. Tributes have been paid to him on social media. Independent record label Charly Records posted: 'Charly Records are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jock McDonald, founding member of The Bollock Brothers. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Jock.' "He was more than a brother to me. I'm heartbroken, but if he had to be taken, then for him it would have been Donegal with our mum and Dad,' McDonald's brother Gerry O'Donnell wrote.

Heidi Klum 'doesn't worry about age-shaming'
Heidi Klum 'doesn't worry about age-shaming'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Heidi Klum 'doesn't worry about age-shaming'

Heidi Klum thinks society has become "more welcoming of wrinkles". The 52-year-old model has suggested that attitudes towards ageing have changed in recent years, observing that it's now "okay to be older". Heidi told People: "I feel like we're more welcoming of wrinkles and rolls on our body. Being accepted at every age is amazing. That we've changed and come all that way." Heidi doesn't have any fears of "age-shaming or body-shaming". She shared: "For me to be older, it doesn't matter. I don't have this age-shaming or body-shaming thing. I feel like everyone should do what they want to do. I like to run around sexy — even now at 52." Heidi actually loves posting sexy photos of herself on social media. The model suggested that she's been posting so-called thirst traps since before social media was invented. She said: "I've been photographing nude or in lingerie since 1992, way before Instagram. "So for me, it's nothing new. For the past 15 years, other people are now doing what I've been doing for 30 years. Instead of being in my little bottoms in a magazine, I'm on Instagram. It's the same thing." The model has also encouraged other women to not "hide" once they reach 50. She said: "The biggest misconception [about] being in your 50s is that you are off the shelf. You're not off the shelf. We are very much on that shelf for everyone to see. "Don't hide in your 50s. Beauty is ever-changing, and I'm here for the change. If it's always the same, life is boring." Heidi is married to 35-year-old musician Tom Kaulitz, and she previously described her husband as a "great man". The model also rubbished criticism of their age gap. Asked why it's such a big issue for so many people, Heidi told Glamour magazine: "I think it's often just spitefulness. "Perhaps many people also think I've had too much luck in life. I have a great job, I get to travel the world, I can buy expensive things. And now I've also got myself such a great man."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store