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In a word, milk-bath nails would best be described as dreamy. In more words, the nail-art trend is an artistic portrayal of one of the most decadent, relaxing beauty treatments one could undergo: the milk bath (which, if you are unfamiliar, involves a mix of milk and water with a spiral of colorful flowers). Now, this nail trend doesn’t involve climbing into an actual bath of milk, but it does mimic the luxurious look of one on the tips of your fingers.
If you’re wondering what makes up a milk-bath nail look, manicurist Elle Gerstein, who has created works for celebrities like Blake Lively, Jennifer Lopez, and Jessica Chastain, breaks it down for us. “Milk-bath nails typically utilize acrylic powder and encase colorful dried flowers into the nail for gorgeous nail art,” she tells PS. You can also opt to lean into the “milky” color and skip the floral element, depending on your personal preference, which is something a lot of celebrities do. Gerstein also explains that creating this look shouldn’t take any longer than it does to do gel. “Depending on [the] length [of your nail] and how fast your tech is, [it could take] about an hour or two,” she says.
The nail trend has swept across Instagram as full-set manicures and accent nails. Rita Ora has worn milk-bath nails created by her go-to Los Angeles-based manicurist Lisa Kon. Sofia Carson, on the other hand, was spotted in them on a red carpet while promoting her Netflix movie “Purple Hearts.” Then you have Jennifer Lopez, who has worn multiple variations of the look on press tours and award show red carpets. If this manicure doesn’t scream versatile, we don’t know what does.
The best part about this trend is it looks beautiful on every nail length and shape. If you’ve been wanting to get the look but have no idea where to begin, check out the prettiest examples we could find of milk-bath manicures ahead.
Jennifer Lopez's Oval Milk-Bath Nails
Lopez has been a long-time fan of milky manicures, and has worn them numerous times before.
Nicola Peltz Beckham's Milk-Bath Nails
For her wedding to Brooklyn Beckham in April 2022, Peltz Beckham wore a milk-bath manicure and a rounded almond nail shape.
Milk-Bath Nails With Flowers
This traditional milk-bath manicure typically has dried flowers on either all or a few accent fingers.
Milk-Bath Nails With Rainbow Flowers
This milk-bath manicure has a rainbow of dried flowers in it and is an easy way to inject some color into the look.
Rounded Milk-Bath Nails
Let this milk-bath manicure be proof that short, rounded nails can get in on the fun too.
Square Milk-Bath Nails
These square milk-bath nails have beautiful pastel flowers in them and would make for a great special occasion manicure.
Opaque Milk-Bath Nails
You can play with different levels of opacity in your manicure. These pastel nails are extra milky and square in shape.
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Milk-Bath Acrylics
These acrylics look like they have multiple layers of dried flowers embedded into the manicure, making it look like flowers are blooming from the nail.
Baby French Milk-Bath Nails
These milk-bath nails have a thin line of glitter nail polish on the tip to play into the baby french manicure trend.
Stiletto Milk-Bath Nails
These stiletto-shaped nails feature purple and pink flower details, which is proof that your milk-bath manicure can work for any themed events you may have coming down the line.
Milk-Bath Accent Nails
If you’re not into busy nails, keeping the floral milk-bath design on two fingers makes the look more subtle.
Pastel Milk-Bath Nails
These pastel milk-bath nails are almond-shaped and also feature a slightly more pastel-pink base color.
Milk-Bath Nails With Reverse French Details
Don’t be afraid to combine trends. Purple crystals lining the nail beds make these milk-bath nails extra chic and also qualifies it as a reverse french manicure.
Milk-Bath Nails With Crystals
Take your milk-bath manicure up a notch by adding a few 3D elements that will pop on the nail. Try a crystal accents on a single finger if you want to start small.
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Long Milk-Bath Nails
Whatever your preferred nail length, milk-bath nails will work with it. Take the look up a notch by getting the nail art on different fingers on each hand.
"Flipside" Milk-Bath Nails
The flipside nail trend sees designs on the underside of your nails. It would be the perfect surprise to take your already intricate milk-bath manicure up a notch.
Milk-Bath Nails With Glitter
Take your milk-bath nails up a notch with a touch of encapsulated glitter on different fingers.
Strawberry Milk-Bath Nails
Milk-bath nails don’t have to have a white base. “Strawberry milk” nails are a twist on the original version of the trend that feature a pink acrylic.
Colorful Milk-Bath Nails
If you decide to do the flower accents, including a variety of shades, it will make your manicure stand out.
— Additional reporting by Ariel Baker
Jesa Marie Calaor was a former assistant editor for PS Beauty.
Ariel Baker is the associate editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.
