The beauty world's obsession with beverage-inspired manicures isn't slowing down anytime soon. After recently falling for espresso and banana latte nails, there's another delicious shade entering the conversation: pistachio milk nails. Inspired by the frothy green hue of the nut-based drink, the trend swaps bold emerald and vibrant matcha-inspired manicures for a creamy wash of muted pistachio that feels fresh and surprisingly versatile for summer.
Unlike traditional green manicures, pistachio milk nails have a soft finish that gives them a creamy appearance. Whether you wear it as a glossy one-color manicure, layer it with a pearly chrome topper for an extra-glazed effect, or keep it sheer enough to let your natural nails peek through, pistachio milk nails are a fresh alternative to classic nudes and pinks for summer. They capture everything we love about the gourmand beauty movement: frothy finishes and a luxe aesthetic that looks good enough to eat.
Ahead, the best pistachio milk nail inspo and how to DIY the manicure yourself.
What are pistachio milk nails?
Pistachio milk nails are the softer, muted take on a classic green. Instead of a bright neon or deep forest shade, the trend features an in-between hue, a translucent coat of pale green that resembles a nutty glass of pistachio milk.
How to achieve pistachio milk nails:
The key is choosing a pale green polish with a semi-sheer finish—some of our favorites are OPI’s Mint to Be or Essie’s Turquoise and Caicos. Apply one or two thin coats to allow your natural nail to subtly show, creating that "milk nails" effect. If your polish is on the opaque side, layer it over a white base or mix it with a white polish shade to soften the color. Finish with an ultra-glossy top coat to enhance the glassy effect of the look.
Pistachio milk nail inspo:
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things nails—from the biggest design trends to new polish launches. She’s always keeping an eye on seasonal colors and keeping up with celebrity manicurists for their favorite trends, and for this story, she found pistachio milk nail inspiration from top nail artists and nail salons for inspo and recommendations.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
