The Chicest White Nail Designs To Save For Your Next Appointment

Hands up if you've ever - as a teenager in the 1990s - given yourself a white manicure using Tipp-Ex? I certainly did, and the chalkiness of opaque white nails has haunted me ever since. I now rarely venture into ivory nails, but considering just how far we've come in terms of nail designs (there are now chromes and ombre styles aplenty), it seems I might be missing out on my nail game by completely dismissing white nail designs.

To make sure my return to white nails is a triumphant one, I went straight to session manicurist Ami Streets to find out just how to make a milky manicure work. 'It's a modern classic,' she tells me. 'It looks super chic on any nail length, short or long and the neutral colour looks clean and polished, working perfectly as an understated shade that complements any look.'

Why it's time to try milky white nails

According to Streets, keeping things sheer is a great way to give this nail design a 2024 update.

'This softer and more elevated version of a white manicure is achieved by applying a semi-sheer white polish to paint a more subtle wash of colour,' she says. Whichever depth of colour you use, it's the painting technique that's imperative.

'Always start with a base coat and when adding colour, use the three stroke painting technique: apply in the centre, then on each side in one application to evenly distribute the product. Two thin coats of polish should give the perfect consistency to achieve the milky or solid white manicure look.' Nails Inc NailPure Base Coat is one of my go-tos as it helps to keep my brittle nails feel much stronger. It's an essential step of my nail prep, which is why you can find it in ELLE's Backstage Beauty Kit.

Experiment with white French tip nails

Whether it's a floral design in the shade of Chantilly cream or organic lines, there are a myriad of ways to incorporate white nail art into your manicure. Or, try putting a fun twist on the classic French manicure through a twist of tortoiseshell or a lacy design. Tiny pearls make for a delicate embellishments too, especially for weddings.

Streets, who's worked on fashion campaigns with Mulberry and Alighieri, is a big fan of 'negative space nail art looks, especially featuring monochrome details in white or black.' She also gravitates towards 'abstract shapes/designs, dot details at the cuticle, a half moon manicure or an outlined French tip.'

The pro-recommended white nail polishes

For a bright white manicure, Streets reaches for French White from Kure Bazaar, as it 'provides the perfect opacity without having to over-apply'. She also name-checks Kure Bazaar's Milk.

Ahead, the white nail art designs to bookmark now