Milk-Bath Nails Are the Prettiest Nail-Art Trend Sweeping Instagram
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In a word, milk-bath nails are 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 are acrylic nails where colorful dried flowers are embedded into a milky color acrylic," she says. 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, wore them to promote her Netflix movie "Purple Hearts." Then you have Jennifer Lopez, who has worn multiple variations of the look (see: the traditional version of the manicure that she wore while on the press tour for her movie "Marry Me" and the "strawberry-milk" nails that she was spotted in on a recent red carpet). As we said, it's a celebrity favorite.
The best part about this trend is it looks beautiful on every nail length and shape. If you have no idea where to begin, check out the prettiest examples we could find of milky manicures ahead.
Jennifer Lopez's Milk-Bath Nails
J Lo wore milk-bath nails during the "Marry Me" press tour by celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik.
Nicola Peltz Beckham's Milk-Bath Nails
For her wedding to Brooklyn Beckham in April 2022, Peltz Beckham had a milk-bath manicure.
Milk-Bath Nails With Flowers
This traditional milk-bath manicure has dried flowers on two accent fingers.
Milk-Bath Nails With Rainbow Flowers1
This milk-bath manicure has a rainbow of dried flowers in it.
Rounded Milk-Bath Nails
This milk-bath manicure is done on short, rounded nails.
Square Milk-Bath Nails
These square milk-bath nails have beautiful pastel flowers in them.
Pastel Milk-Bath Nails
These pastel nails are extra milky and square in shape.
Milk-Bath Acrylics
These acrylics have a milk-bath twist.
Jennifer Lopez's Oval Milk-Bath Nails
Lopez has been a long-time fan of milky manicures, having worn them numerous times before.
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.
Classic Milk-Bath Nails
These floral milk-bath nails are as classic as can be.
Stiletto Milk-Bath Nails
These stiletto-shaped nails feature purple and pink flower details.
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.
Milk-Bath Nails With Reverse French Details
Purple crystals lining the nail beds make this milk-bath manicure extra chic.
Milk-Bath Nails With Crystals
Take your milk-bath manicure up a notch with crystal accents on a single finger.
Milk-Bath Nail Accents
Go for a milk-bath manicure with flowers on only one finger for a twist.
Milk-Bath Nails With Purple and Blue Flowers
Pick a color scheme for your milk-bath nails like this person did by sticking to purple and blue flowers.
Long Milk-Bath Nails
The milk-bath nail trend looks great on all lengths.
Milk-Bath Nails With an Accent Finger
Keep the look simple with a single floral accent finger.
Long Milk-Bath Nails
These milk-bath nails have two accent fingers: the middle and pinky finger.
"Flipside" Milk-Bath Nails
The flipside nail trend sees designs on the underside of your nails.
Milk-Bath Nails With Glitter
Take your milk-bath nails up a notch with glitter.
Strawberry Milk-Bath Nails
These nails have a strawberry milk twist.
Colorful Milk-Bath Nails
If you decide to do flower accents, including a variety of colors will make your nails stand out.