Try the Milky Nails Trend at Home With These Expert Tips and Polish Ideas (2024)

Jennifer Lopez is known for many things—from her impeccable fashion sense to her uncanny ability to never age—but Lopez is now also a nail trendsetter. For her wedding, the actress and singer took a classic nail trend—the French manicure—and added a modification for a fresh yet timeless look being dubbed "milky white nails."

The final look, completed by Lopez's longtime nail stylist, Tom Bachik, was a soft, almond-shaped nail painted with an opaque, milky-white finish. We spoke with nail experts to learn how you can try the milky nails trend right at home.

What Are Milky White Nails?

Milky nails are not too far from the glazed donut nail trend. “The milky nails look falls in between an opaque and a sheer white hue, with a creamy, translucent finish,” says Rachel Glass 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 day, 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 daily. Nail polish lovers have even added intricate designs like flowers and pastels to create novel looks.

How to Get Milky White Nails at Home

For DIY milky nails, you have to start with the right polishes in your collection. “This look is definitely achievable at home if you don’t have the time to go to a salon,” celebrity nail artist Gina Edwards explains. Here's what you'll need to do.

Step 1: Prep Your Nails

Start by prepping your nails before painting them. Remove old nail polish, push back cuticles, trim, and file to your preferred shape and length. Also, buff the nails to smooth their surface.

Step 2: Apply a Base Coat

Before applying your milky white polish, be sure to use a base coat. "The base coat will add a protective barrier between the natural nail and the polish," Edwards says.

Step 3: Apply Nail Polish Colors

When looking for milky white nail polish, you may have to combine colors. “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," Edwards suggests.

Step 4: Add a Top Coat

Once you've achieved the desired milky white look, follow with a top coat. A quality top coat will not only add shine but will also help your manicure last longer.

Best Milky White Nail Polish

To try the milky nails trend, opt for one of these suggested milky white nail polishes.