Milky Black Nails for Captivating Allure

Milky black nails are edgy, chic, and easy to do. Moreover, this flattering and versatile nail trend can be adapted for various outfits and situations. In this post, we’ll show you how to achieve this captivating look at home.

The Milky Black Nails Trend

It's Hailey Bieber's fault. She may not have been the first to wear this style, but she certainly made it famous.

Her version is a milky black rendition of the chrome-laced glazed donut nails. In other words, these are black milk-glazed nails with an iridescent sheen. It sounds complicated initially, but there's more than one way to do this manicure. You can make it as easy on yourself as you like.

Fair warning: it's possible to replicate the look with nail lacquer but much more straightforward with gel polish.

Achieving the Milky Black Nail Look

Let’s begin with a suggested shopping list for milky black nails:

LAVIS Gel Polish Super White

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LAVIS Gel Polish Super Black

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Lavis Gel Polish 092 - Black Colors - Downtime

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LDS Blossom - Gel Polish

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Aurora Galaxy Chrome Nail Powder - BLACK

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Remember, if you’re using gel polish, you’ll need a nail lamp to cure it. It’s also good to have manicure tools and acetone to remove your prior manicure and prep your nails.

Steps for Doing Milky Black Nails

There are three ways to create a milky black look. However, all of them start the same way.

Nail prep – remove the old polish and trim and shape your nails. Push back the cuticles and buff the nail plate lightly to remove the natural shine. Then use a lint-free wipe and alcohol or acetone to remove debris and oil.

Apply a base coat – even if you're using nail lacquer instead of gels, applying the base coat's a good idea. Not only does it improve the adhesion and durability of the polish, but it also keeps the nails from getting stained by the dark color.

Apply the colored polish – this is the tricky part. Keep reading to learn three ways to do that milky black magic.

Add the chrome powder – although it’s an optional step, it will make your nails look more like Hailey Bieber’s. Go easy on the powder because it’s to create a pearlescent finish, not a metallic sheen. (If you don't have chrome powder, but you do have an opalescent polish like OPI's Kyoto Pearl, thin it with a top coat and use that instead).

Finish with a top coat – after all your hard work, a top coat provides a professional finish that prevents chipping. For best results, cap the nail tips by brushing the top coat along the edge and a little underneath.

Those are the basics. Next up are the methods mentioned in the third step.

Use a Milky Black Shade

No, it’s not cheating. There are a few polish colors that are just perfect right out of the bottle.

Mix Your Own Milky Black Color

Experiment with mixing black polish, white polish, and a transparent top coat to get the ideal blend. This is when gel polish is handy because it won't dry until cured in a nail lamp.

We suggest starting with one drop of clear, one drop of white, and two drops of black. If this looks more like charcoal and less like milky black, try diluting the white and black independently to make them transparent. An opaque white polish will look milkier, while the black becomes more see-through.

Then, use the milky white as the base color and paint the sheer black on top.

Use Layers of Sheer Polish or a Milky Top Coat

The final method is to use pre-made milky or sheer colors and layer them. Use white as the base and brush black on top for a darker vibe.

Lucky for you, we have the perfect shades in stock. See the next section below.

Milky and Jelly Nail Polish

Here are our favorite milky jelly polishes for milky black nails:

LDS 01 Simply White - Jelly Nude Collection

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Lavis J03-34 - Bare With Me Collection

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Lavis J02-24 - Candy Collection

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These colors will give you milky black nails in no time flat!

Tips for a Professional Finish

TikTok and Instagram make nail trends look easy. But in real life, not everyone ends up with professional results. What’s the secret to getting a perfect finish on your nails?

First, it's crucial to prep the nails properly. Be sure to complete all steps.

Take the time to get the cuticles out of your way. Try using cuticle remover, a cream that softens the skin.

If you have ridges that make your nails bumpy, don’t try to buff them smooth. You’ll weaken the nails. Instead, use a ridge filler. It’s a thick polish that levels out the surface.

Moreover, be careful using cotton swabs as they leave fuzzies behind. It’s better to use a professional nail brush dipped in acetone to clear off mistakes.

Another gotcha that most people don't know about is water. If you soak your nails before painting them, pushing back the cuticles is easier. However, the excess moisture that absorbs into the nails and skin may cause the polish to lift in a few days. If you must soak your fingers before working on them, ensure they have adequate time to dry.

And speaking of drying, acetone dehydrates the skin and nails. If you must soak off the previous manicure in acetone, minimize your exposure by using foil wraps instead of dipping your fingers into the liquid.

Lastly, cuticle oil is your new BFF. Hand cream is helpful, but cuticle oil is even more potent for sealing in moisture. Not only will it make your new manicure look fabulous, but it will also help your nails stay strong and your cuticles healthy.

Conclusion

Milky black nails are the latest way to add allure to your look. Plus, they are easy to do at home. We hope our tips and polish suggestions help you achieve the results you desire.

While you're here, visit our new arrivals page to view other exciting trends in the nail world. Go ahead and take advantage of our deals and enjoy free delivery on orders over $100!