What Is A Milk Bath Manicure? [All You Need To Know]

If you are a faux nail fan, I can assume that you love keeping up with the most recent nail trends. Creating fun and bold nails that match every outfit is a massive part of getting your nails done, and it is a gorgeous self-pampering activity. The newest nail art trend in the scene is the milk bath manicure. But what is it exactly, what does it entail, and what sets it apart from other manicures on the market? Well, here is all you are going to want to know.

So, what is a milk bath manicure? With a nude or pastel gel or dip base, milk bath manicures set flecks of gold, dried flower petals, or delicately hand-drawn floral details within the nails. However, you can recreate this nail art style with many different types of false nail art and traditional nail painting. Nevertheless, this manicure typically involves flowers and a ‘milky colored polish.’

If you remember those photo shoots people took in milk baths, surrounded by rose petals, this is the kind of vibe that the milk bath nail art manicure exudes.

It is ethereal, dreamlike, dainty, and soft. The ultimate in feminine style nails.

Milk bath manicures are storming the Internet, filtering through Pinterest, and wowing users on TikTok.

If you want to jump on this stunning nail art trend, keep reading to find out more.

What Does A Milk Bath Manicure Consist Of?

What method of nail art you decide to use will have an overall effect on what it takes to create milk bath nails. 

False nails, like gel, dip powder, or acrylic, have become incredibly popular recently. 

Many milk bath nail art you can find on the Internet will, nine times out of ten, be some sort of false nail application. Obviously, these types of nails take far longer and a lot more steps.

Acrylic/Dip Powder/Gel

The milk bath manicure works best with a false nail application because, quite frankly, it just lasts longer.

This process involves embedding dried flowers, shiny flecks of gold, silver, or pearlescent material, and delicate painted nail art between the layers of your false nail. 

This gives your milk bath nails that dreamy, milky look and also keeps all your nail additions safe from being chipped prematurely.

Nail Varnish

Although the milk bath manicure works best with acrylic or gel nails, you can recreate this dreamy, feminine look with traditional nail varnish.

It will just require a lot of patience, a steady hand, and the right nail painting tools.

After you have applied your base coat and your first coat of varnish – preferably in a milky, pastel tone – you’ll want to take your other varnish colors and paint delicate little florals and shiny patches to imitate gold foil flecks.

This is the bit that takes time, and if your nail art isn’t small and dainty enough, this look may not work as well.

Once you have completed your nail art, add another light covering of your pastel varnish, and once that is dry, you can finish with a protective top coat. 

How Long Do Milk Bath Manicures Last?

Depending on how well you care for your milk bath manicure, a milk bath manicure can last anywhere from 1-4 weeks. 

Factors That Impact How Long A Milk Bath Manicure Will Last

That being said, there are some things that can affect how long your milk bath nails will last.

Application Method

The nail application method you have chosen will be the very first thing that affects how long your milk bath nail art lasts.

If you have gone for a more traditional nail varnish design, then your nails won’t last massively long.

A week is generally considered a good length of time for nail varnish nails to last.

However, false nails like acrylic, gel, and dip powder nails can last up to 4 weeks without chipping or peeling. 

Heavy Handed

How you treat your hands strongly influences how long your milk bath nails will last.

If you have your hands in water often or come into contact with harsh chemicals, the strength of your nails and their artwork will obviously be compromised. 

But this also goes for those who just use their hands a lot for work or any hobby they may take up regularly.

The best thing you can do is to wear rubber gloves whenever you intend to have your hands in water for an extended period and be conscious o your hands while you are working with them. 

Clean Nail Application

How well your milk bath nails are applied will massively affect how long they last.

For nail varnish, skipping the top coat can drastically reduce your nail’s life span.

At least a couple of clear top coats should be applied to get as much life out of them as possible.

As for false nails, if your nail technician is inexperienced or skips a step or two, the strength of your nails can be compromised.

This goes for if you do them yourself at home.

Always follow every step of preparation to the letter to ensure your milk bath manicure lasts as long as possible.

Where To Get A Milk Bath Manicure?

Every nail salon that offers acrylics or gel nails will be able to create a beautiful set of milk bath nails. However, if you specifically want real dried flowers or foil laid into your nails, you may have to ring around to ensure your chosen salon has these items in stock. 

Just make sure to call your salon before your appointment with your milk bath manicure request. 

They will be able to let you know if they have the correct decor in stock, and if they don’t, they’ll be able to tell you how long it will be before that kind of stock arrives. 

Can You DIY A Milk Bath Manicure?

The milk bath manicure can be pretty fiddly with its delicate art elements and may not be the easiest to do yourself, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible.

In fact, the rise of high-quality manicure stickers means it’s easier than ever to copy nail art trends, like the milk bath manicure, at home with very little equipment, and it won’t take as long. 

Here are some methods you can use to create a milk bath manicure at home:

• Gel Nails
• Dip Powder Nails
• Acrylic Nails
• Nail Varnish
• Nail Stickers

Some methods will take longer than others.

For example, a set of at-home dip powder nails could take you 1-2 hours if you have experience; add another hour if it’s your first time.

The same goes for gel and acrylic nails.

For these nail application methods, you’ll need a good variety of products; for example, dip nail kits tend to include a base coat, dip powders, gel coats, and an activation coat at a minimum.

Each step takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

Now, if you choose to go for nail varnish or nail stickers, although they won’t last as long, they can take far less time to create a beautifully dreamy milk bath look.

Plus, you’ll need far less product and equipment, just a few bottles of nail varnish, top coat, and bottom coat.

As well as your artistic additions whether that be actual dried flowers or if you plan to paint them yourself you’ll need dainty paint brushes.

How Much Is A Milk Bath Manicure?

On average, a milk bath manicure crafted in a nail salon will cost around $50. However, this price does vary depending on the reputation of the nail salon and where in the country you are. 

Nail salons in New York are obviously going to cost more than nail salons in Iowa. The amount of detail or artistic additions you want on your nails will also increase the price.

It sounds pricey, but if you aren’t very confident at doing your nails at home or you just see having your nails done as self-care, it can be a price worth paying.

However, nothing is stopping you from shopping around till you find a price you’re happy with. Just check the reviews of the salon before you hand over any cash.

If you choose to do your nails at home, you’ll be surprised that it may not be much cheaper if you are just starting. 

If you are creating acrylic nails at home, including the purchasing of specialized equipment that you need to cure the acrylic or gel layers, it can cost anywhere over $100-$200 

At a minimum, to do your nails at home, you will need:

• Cuticle pusher
• Lint-free wipes
• Nail files
• Specialized brushes
• Powders or liquid – depending on whether you are using acrylic, gel, or dip powder
• Dishes
• Cuticle oil
• Acetone
• Nail tips
• Nail glue

However, if you’re planning on doing your nails at home regularly, the initial cost for all of the equipment will eventually pay for itself.

Even if you have to top up supplies every few months, you could save yourself hundreds of dollars every single year. 

The Milk Bath Nail Trend: Is It For You?

From celebrities like J-Lo to influencers and beyond, the milk bath manicure trend isn’t going anywhere.

Its ethereal charm suits pretty much anyone and if done right, it can last for weeks at a time.

So, what do you think about the milk bath manicure trend? Are you tempted?

Other manicures you may be interested in:

• What Is A Dry Manicure? [All You Need To Know]