With Pantone's announcement that “Cloud Dancer” is the 2026 Color of the Year, you can expect to see the hue everywhere in the new year. While many street style connoisseurs and fashion brands will likely find ways to weave the color into their outfits, I’m here to offer you an alternative that has nothing to do with clothing at all: milky white nails.
“What I love most about milky white nails is their versatility,” says Rebecca Isa, the creative director of Zoya. “They work seamlessly across lifestyles, from brides and professionals to anyone embracing minimal beauty. They’re also incredibly forgiving and low-maintenance, which is why they continue to resonate. When paired with proper nail prep or a treatment base, milky white elevates the entire nail experience by emphasizing health, shine, and simplicity.”
White nail polish has long been a summer go-to for many (myself included), but outside the warmer months, the shade tends to get relegated to the back of my polish drawer until the clock jumps forward and spring and summer return. If you’re anything like me, here’s a reminder: white nails are much more versatile than we give them credit for.
“Milky white isn’t just one single shade; keep in mind that it comes in many variations,” says nail artist and educator Sofiia Mazur. Some formulas lean more opaque and solid. Others have a cooler, almost porcelain undertone. There are even some that feel softer and warmer thanks to hints of beige or cream. The undertones and finishes of your polish matter just as much as the color itself, and milky white nails take the standard white polish and flip it on its head in the chicest way possible. “Those subtle differences completely change how the color looks on the hands,” Mazur says. “That’s why, as a color, milky white can be so personal. You can choose a version that complements your skin tone, enhances your natural nail color, or simply matches your current mood. It all looks incredible.”
If you need a cheat sheet, Mazur has tips for narrowing down the milky white nails that most feel like “you.” “Cooler milky whites feel crisp and wintery, warmer ones feel cozy and elegant, and the classic balanced milky white sits right in the middle,” she says. “It’s all about finding the tone that feels right for your needs.”
Of course, if you’re now on the hunt for the milky white nail polish of your dreams, I’ve got you. Keep reading for the ones I, along with the rest of the Marie Claire beauty team, swear by, just in time to get your nails in top shape for the new year.
The Best Milky White Nail Polishes
A soft ivory shade with subtle shimmer? Yes please.
Lucy from Zoya is a neutral, milky off-white with a sheer finish. Perfect for a minimal French tip.
For a more on-the-nose recreation of the color trend, pick up Mineral Fusion’s Ice Breaker.
Après Sweet Cream has an almost fleshy pink undertone that shows up more depending on your natural nail color.
If you’re on a journey to improve your nail health, this kit should be on your radar. It features the Luminous Nail Brightener and Perfector, a sheer, milky-white polish that can be built up and used on its own or mixed with the other half of the duo, a pink-toned ridge filler. Whichever way you spin it, your nails will thank you in the long run.
Milky White Nails Inspiration
An ombré design is a timeless manicure that still lets you have some fun with nail art. Paired with an oval shape? Perfection.
A minimal white manicure like this one should always be in your manicure rotation.
Milky white nail polish is also great for sheering out and showing a bit more of your natural nail bed.
Want to give your milky manicure a festive twist? Add glitter smile lines or a nail crown.
A square manicure hates to see me coming. It's so cute and '90s-coded.
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