'Pink Milkshake Nails' Are Making Neutral Manicures Sweeter This Season

From dusty rose nails to a sparkly Barbiecore manicure, we simply can't resist stylish pink nails. That's why we've absolutely fallen in love with pink milkshake nails that are just as sweet as they sound. Given the name by Tom Bachik, the nail artist who is responsible for Selena Gomez's manicures, he hopped onto Instagram to share a pic of the celeb's nails on October 19 that captured the attention of fans of Gomez, nail art and pink manicures.

Inspired by the delicious dessert-like drink, pink milkshake nails are a shade of very light pink — imagine an incredibly soft shade that will be slightly lighter or darker depending on your natural skin tone. For your own pink milkshake manicure, you might choose an extremely light pink that's just a touch or two away from white or nude, or you might find that your best option is a pink with a stronger hue or even the lightest, almost undetectable mauve undertone. Whatever you end up with, it should be dearly delicate and definitely elegant. Of course, if you want to be a little more playful with this neutral manicure trend, you can mix up the exact shades you use, play with some modern effects, and add a few accents that will take this look to the next level.

We understand if you fell in love with pink milkshake nails the first time you laid eyes on them. The soft color is wonderfully subtle while still being captivating. That's why you may want to stick with a classic version. Either skip a base or opt for one that's a translucent white so you're able to capture just the right amount of milkness. A neutral nail color, this hue can go with pretty much anything. That includes outfits that focus on a wide range of colors, various styles, and anything from casual clothes to formalwear.

The delicate nature of pink milkshake nails means they're perfectly suited to other gentle styles. That's why you may want to try short nails with this shade. At the same time, add another elegant touch by opting for flat-ended nails with slightly rounded corners at each edge. An ideal option to wear as your everyday style and color, it works for both a casual outing and a professional environment. That's not to mention the fact that this style is also a fabulous choice to wear as a bride, bridesmaid, or wedding guest.

Pink milkshake nails may rely on a soft color that's a relatively safe choice. However, that doesn't mean you also have to rely on a passive style when you choose to wear this shade. Frankly, you may want to contrast the color with something a little extreme. In this case, make it a stiletto-shaped manicure. The sharply pointed ends that resemble claws are more than just a little fierce (although rounded slightly at the tips to prevent scratching yourself) — that's why they're such an eye-catching and dynamic contrast to the delicate pink tone.

If you like the idea of a contrasting style, you may be intrigued by the idea of a coffin-shaped manicure, which is another way to create a juxtaposed dynamic when donning your pink milkshake nails. Although they may have a name that's rather creepy, coffin-shaped nails have a fabulously dramatic length as well as sleek, straight-edged ends. When it comes to this chic shape, you might expect a rich red polish or deep chocolate brown, but the pink milkshake shade is just soft enough to take the edge off this look.

Pink milkshake nails don't need any extra adornments, but that doesn't mean you can't add to them when you want a little extra flair. Think along the lines of shimmery glitter. Simply try choosing one nail and add a touch of glitter to its tip. Start with a thicker layer at the top of your nail and make it lighter as you move toward the halfway point of your nail. If you love the effect and want to take it up a notch, add glitter to all your nails.

Stick with relatively minimalistic accents by lightly adorning your pink milkshake nails. You can do this with the help of horizontal lines. Add two sharp lines to enhance the effect while also making them a metallic color for a fun and subtle contrasting twist. In order to keep your lines as thin as possible, use a toothpick to draw them on the light pink base. Or, you can dip a piece of string or even dental floss in polish and then lay it on your nail to create perfectly straight lines.

When it comes to adding accents to your popular pink milkshake manicure, you might want to choose something that sticks with the sweet aesthetic. That might be images of lollipops, bubblegum, and other kinds of candy. Or, you might want glittery fruit like cherries, strawberries, or slices of watermelon. Of course, there might not be anything more fitting than milkshake pink nails paired with miniature pink milkshake nail art.

Ombré is always a fabulous option for manicures and can either span one nail or all five. To achieve the latter, start with a light pink milkshake shade on all your nails. Then, leave it intact on your pinky nail. Next, choose a darker color of pink and add a thin layer or just a few speckles on the finger beside your pinky, along with a glossy topcoat. Do the same while moving to the next nail, but make it a tad darker. Continue until you've covered each nail and completed the ombré effect.

You can also opt for a variation of the pink milkshake ombré effect that offers a different twist on the trend. Instead of using hues that grow brighter and more vibrant, work with a gradient that incorporates more tan or mauve shades. You might also want to go for a matte finish instead of something glossy. Although both are stylish versions of the look, matte offers you a sophisticated effect that you might not be able to resist.