Forget The Dairy – We’re Wearing Coconut Milk Nails This Season

We’re no stranger to a milky manicure. We first fell in love with the trend (and all its various blueberry, strawberry and oaty iterations) when it first popped up in 2023. And now, we’re ready to welcome it back to the beauty scene – with yet another twist. Here’s why coconut milk nails are sitting firmly at the top of our mani mood board this season.

What Are Coconut Nails?

‘Coconut nails, also known as “coconut milk nails,” are a refreshing alternative to the classic French manicure or the ubiquitous plain white nails,’ explains Tinu Bello, A-List Manicurist and Senior Ambassador for Mylee. ‘With a creamy, semi-sheer finish, unlike the boldness of a pure white nail, coconut milk nails offer a soft, milky hue that flatters all skin tones and adds a subtle glow to your hands. They’re set to be an especially massive trend as we transition from summer into autumn.’

@ashleypigulski Coconut nails 🥥🤎🐚 @dndgel #nailday #gelpolish #nails💅 #dndgelpolish ♬ Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter – Tortured Poets ✍️

As you might have gathered from its name, the trend falls under the broader milky nail movement. Like oat or cashew milk manicures, coconut nails highlight a natural, earthy aesthetic. And with its soft appearance, it also continues the beauty sphere’s flair for neutral minimalism. The idea is to create a subtle, creamy finish that resembles the colour of coconut milk – without the fuss of added details and textures.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t be adapted. ‘What makes this trend particularly special is its versatility,’ says Tinu. ‘The creamy off-white shade can be adjusted to suit your preference, whether you want a more translucent, barely-there look or a bolder, more opaque finish.’

How To Ask For Coconut Nails In The Salon

At the salon, ask your nail tech for a soft, milky manicure – with a colour resembling coconut milk. You can help narrow down the design by bringing some reference images for your tech to work from.

@heluviee the prettiest milky shade 🥥🫧✨🤍 @Le Mini Macaron gel kit in coconut yogurt 🧚 #fyp #springnails #nails #milkynails #nailinspo #diynails ♬ original sound – Aeva – AEVA

How To Recreate The Look At Home

Being a minimal manicure, coconut nails are pretty easy to recreate at home. Simply choose a cream-like, off-white shade and you’re good to go. Alternatively, Tinu recommends ‘mixing a pure white nail polish with a clear coat, resulting in a subtle, creamy finish.’

Below, the manicurist lays out her step-by-step guide to getting the look:

1. Prep: For a flawless application, you’ll need a clean base. Remove any old polish, file them to the preferred length and shape, push back the cuticles and lightly buff the nail surface.
2. Base Coat: Next, apply a base coat to create a smooth canvas for the colour.
3. Find Your Shade: As mentioned, either choose a pre-existing shade or mix a few drops of a white polish with a clear coat. Apply a few coats until you’re happy with the look and colour.
4. Top Coat: Seal your mani with a long lasting top coat for a high-gloss finish.

Manicure Inspiration

 

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Featured image: Getty Images