From “bubble bath” to “digital lavender” and every “clean girl” nail look in between, it’s impossible to deny that neutral nails are having a moment. This, coupled with social media’s ability to coin beauty trends after delicious foods, has landed us here, in the era of the “milk-tea” manicure.
As you’ve likely gleaned, the trend is named after the wildly popular warm beverage of black tea with milk. The combination of ingredients typically results in a creamy light brown hue, which not only ends up tasting delicious but also lends itself to the perfect minimal nail polish color.
If you’re interested in your own milk-tea nails, an expert explains everything you should know about the trend, from the exact colors to use to designs that will complement it, ahead.
What Are Milk-Tea Nails?
“Milk-tea nails are essentially just a light brown manicure,” Mazz Hanna, chief executive officer of Nailing Hollywood, tells POPSUGAR. While other popular varieties include Thai or matcha tea, this version sticks with the basics for a neutral manicure that goes with any outfit or beauty look that you can think of.
How to Get Milk-Tea Nails
Since the look is more about color than it is shape or length, the base of your milk-tea nails is a matter of personal preference. Do keep in mind, however, that in order to be true to the trend, you’re going to be working with a very limited color palette. You can opt for shades that are anywhere from a milky white with a hint of brown to a true caramel shade.
Where you can play around a bit more is with the undertone of the nail polish color that you choose. “You can opt for a cooler or warmer-toned brown, depending on your personal preference,” Hanna says. “You could even opt for a different shade for each nail for a gradient effect.” Determining your skin’s undertone can help you find the most flattering shade, as some milk-tea colors lean warm while others are cooler.
Milk-Tea Nails Inspiration
Some colors that you can use to achieve milk-tea nails are
