Strawberry Milk Isn’t Just a Tasty Treat—Here’s How to Ace the Nail Trend!
By now, you’ve probably heard of glazed donut nails, aura nails, glass nails, bubble bath nails, soap nails, the naked mani—are there any we missed? Welp, just when you thought you had it all nailed (see what we did there?), we’re about to hit ya with another one. Enter: strawberry milk nails.
We’ll be totally honest—they all blend together after a while.They’re each light, feminine, well-kept manicures that play into the coquette and balletcore trends predominantly popularized in 2023. They also implement variations of pink nail colors. And they land much more on the natural nail side of trends, versus bold or artsy nail designs. But other than that, what sets a strawberry milk manicure apart from the rest? Keep reading for tips and nail ideas from our experts!
Meet the Expert
Morgan Haile is a nail expert and brand ambassador of GELISH Soak-Off Gel Polish.
Gina Edwards is a celebrity manicurist and KISS Nails & IMPRESS Mani brand ambassador.
What Are Strawberry Milk Nails?
If you’re unfamiliar with strawberry milk nails, there’s a good chance you’ve seen them without realizing it. Hailey Bieber posted them on a beachy vacation, Victoria Beckham wore them in a recent makeup video on Instagram, and Sydney Sweeney sported them on the red carpet at CinemaCon 2025.
“Strawberry milk nails are a cute and trendy nail style that gives you a soft, milky pink look, kind of like strawberry milk,” explains nail expert Morgan Haile. “The vibe is fresh and subtle, perfect for a chill yet stylish look. You can keep it simple or add little details like hearts or dots for some fun flair.”
Celebrity manicurist Gina Edwards adds, “They’re a soft pillow shade of a pink pastel, often with a sheer or muted tone. The color is similar to a creamy sorbet.”
How to Create Strawberry Milk Nails in a Few Easy Steps
The great thing about this nail trend is it’s extremely easy to ace. There’s no real skill or craft required outside of picking a complementary shade and applying the right amount of coats to achieve the desired outcome.
Step 1: Prep Your Nails
Like with any fresh polish application, nail prep is key. But because this particular beauty trend is meant to be chic and sophisticated, it’s more important than ever that your cuticles and nail beds are in prime form. Haile suggests using the following as inspo for your manicurist (or yourself, if you decide to DIY the strawberry nail trend from home):
a) Remove any existing polish.
b) Shape your nails with a nail file, trimming and filing them to your desired length and shape.
c) Push back your cuticles gently with a cuticle pusher, using a cuticle remover to soften them first.
d) Smooth out the nail surface lightly with a buffer to also remove any shine.
e) Cleanse the nails with a lint-free wipe and alcohol to remove any dust or oils.
We’re fans of the easy, on-the-go ALLEYOOP Swipe Left Acetone-Free Nail Polish Wipes, which are perfect for travel. And speaking of travel, we can’t leave home without our chic DECO MIAMI Glass Nail File.
Step 2. Apply a Translucent Pink Polish
Whether you opt for gel or air-dry polish, you’ll want to select a sheer pink shade. “Apply a thin layer, and make sure it’s evenly applied for a smooth, translucent look,” Haile advises, adding that when it comes to gel, she opts for the GELISH Foundation Flex in Light Pink. We’re personally fans of the P.R.M.I.T BEAUTY GELlusion in Pink Cream, thanks to the perfectly fitting hue and gel-like, air-dried finish.
If you opt for gel, you’ll want to cure under an LED lamp for 30 seconds. If you use traditional nail polish, be sure to let the color sit for at least 90 seconds before gently tapping one nail to ensure it’s dry.
Step 3. Add Additional Layer(s) If Needed
At the end of the day, how your nails turn out is up to you. Some people prefer a super-light, almost nude-like finish, whereas others do want noticeable pigment to show. If you want to opt for another layer (or two), now is the time. Be sure to repeat step two for each layer.
Step 4. Apply Your Top Coat
If you opt for gel, Haile recommends tying the whole look together with a coat of the GELISH Top It Off. If you go in this direction, you’ll want to cure the top coat under the UV or LED light as you did in the previous steps.
If you use a traditional polish, we’re big fans of the ESSIE Gel Couture Top Coat, thanks to its durable, gel-like finish that doesn’t require any light. Once applied, allow it to air-dry for at least 90 seconds.
Step 4: Cleanse and Finish
Once your nails are cured or air-dried (depending on which direction you decide to go), Haile recommends either washing your hands or grabbing a lint-free wipe and alcohol to remove any sticky residue.
Next, you’ll want to apply cuticle oil for nourishment and moisture. We can’t leave home without our trusty NCLA So Rich Cuticle Oil, which is infused with nourishing vitamin E—making it something we reapply throughout the day to ensure our hands look their healthiest.
“Now you’ve got cute, strawberry milk-inspired nails,” Haile says. “You can add any fun nail art like dots or tiny hearts if you’re feeling extra. Enjoy your fresh, pastel nails!”
Our Fave Strawberry Milk Nail Looks
1. Simple and Sophisticated Strawberry Milk Nails
Sometimes less is more, and as evidenced here, it doesn’t take much to create a chic, flattering aesthetic. This person ensures her cuticles and nail beds are well-manicured, making her OPI Bubble Bath and OPI I Couldn’t Bare Less the perfect pairing for her pretty-in-pink look.
2. Effortless Shine Strawberry Milk Nails
When we think of an actual glass of strawberry milk (it’s giving Yoo-hoo Strawberry Drink!), this exact shade comes to mind. Too pretty to eat? I dunno, we’re kinda tempted.
3. Short and Sweet Strawberry Milk Nails
This user’s muted pink oozes perfection with the perfect length to really make the shade stand out. Whenever we want to embrace our inner ballerina, we turn to our trusty DEFY & INSPIRE Nail Polish in the shade Pinky Swear.
4. Shimmer and Shine Strawberry Milk Nails
A little sparkle never hurt anyone! We love this glittered-up rendition of strawberry milk nails. The shimmer is visible enough to add a vibrant pop, but subtle enough to keep the focus on the pink. Itching to recreate the look? We’ve got you covered with the PLUM Color Affair Nail Polish in Fairy Bloom.