Rihanna Is the Latest Celeb to Wear ‘Lilac Milk Nails’—This Summer’s Prettiest Manicure Trend

Whether it’s a new movie role, a chart-topping hit, or a viral beauty moment, when Rihanna unveils something, the world pays attention. Case in point: at the Smurfs premiere (she’s the voice of Smurfette!), she turned heads in a sheer, sultry blue ensemble that proudly highlighted her baby bump. But what truly stole the spotlight? Her milky lilac manicure—a soft, glossy pastel that also just popped up on Selena Gomez—created by celebrity nail artist Jenny Longworth. They say three makes a trend, but with icons this major co-signing the shade, we’re calling it early: lilac milk nails are the minimalist nail color of the summer.

What Are “Lilac Milk Nails”?

Longworth—who crafted Rihanna’s blue (because, Smurfs!) carpet look—describes the nail color as “a beautiful, sheer lilac.” From where we’re standing, the trending manicure showcases a soft, milky lilac or lavender polish with a translucent, semi-sheer finish. The look is typically achieved with a few thin coats of light purple, often blended with a hint of white to create that dreamy, cloud-like effect. The result? A shade that’s subtle yet unexpected (read: not pink), effortlessly sophisticated, and flattering on every skin tone. Consider it summer’s freshest take on a neutral—delicate, chic, and anything but boring. Plus, there’s something refreshing (almost ice cream-like) about lilac, especially when it’s 100 degrees outside.

How to Recreate Summer’s Prettiest Pastel Mani

While Ri’s nails are a gorgeous, squoval shape, this pastel pop looks great on every nail shape and is honestly super-easy to copy. Longworth shares her exact how-to: “Lay your foundation BIAB (a gel-like polish) in clear,” she explains. “Then layer with gel polish in shade Diana, a beautiful sheer lilac. Finish with my hero product, Extreme Shine Topcoat and a sweep of cuticle oil.” We also love the fact that when this color grows out, it’s not super obvious, so it buys you a little extra time.

Find a Lilac to Flatter Your Skin Tone

While lilac milk is what we’re going for here, there are ways to customize it so it flatters your skin tone. First, find your undertone. An easy way: look at your inner wrists in the daylight. If your veins are blue, you’re cool. If they’re green, you’re probably warm. If you can’t tell and fall somewhere in the middle, you’re neutral.

Cool Undertones: Lighter lilac and lavender shades will complement your blue and pink undertones.

Warm Undertones: While still sticking in the pastel family, consider a richer lilac for a stunning contrast.

Neutral Undertones: Lucky you—you can rock any hue. Swipe on a few options and go with your fave.