This Summer’s Most Viral Nail Trend Looks Just Like Soft Serve Ice Cream

There’s a whole maximalist nail thing happening right now, but sometimes a girl just wants a mani that’s simple and chic while still having a teeny bit of personality. Enter: soft serve nails, which mimic the dreamiest vanilla soft serve ice cream cone with a swirl of a second flavor for a hint of subtle contrast. This creamy manicure has quickly become the go-to look of the season; here’s everything you need to know about getting it yourself.

What Are Soft Serve Nails? 

The soft serve manicure is a delicious twist on classic gradient nails that uses creamy colors that melt into each other—sort of like a double-flavor cone of perfectly twisted soft serve ice cream.  

“Picture the dreamiest vanilla soft serve swirl meeting strawberry milk, that’s exactly what soft serve nails serve up on your fingertips,” says Meagan Swartwood, celebrity manicurist at Arctic Fox. “The name literally comes from how the colors melt into each other, usually featuring those classic pink-to-white transitions that scream summer sweetness.” 

She adds that while the classic go-to for this look is nude/milky white to pink, you can experiment with other hues like bright orange or soft lavender.

How to Get Soft Serve Nails 

This look is definitely one for minimalists, or those craving a low-key mani that’ll match with everything you wear this summer. There are zero rhinestones or flashy finishes; it’s a simple manicure with just the right amount of freshness for the season. 

DIY Soft Serve Nails

Thanks to its simplicity, this look is easy to recreate yourself. “All you need is white polish, your chosen shade, and something to blend with,” Swartwood says. “Start with your base coat, then apply your darker shade about halfway up the nail. Add white to the tips and—here’s where the magic happens—grab a makeup sponge or even a small brush and gently blend where the colors meet.” 

The key is working while the polish is still slightly wet and being gentle with your blending motions. Traditional soft serve uses nude pink and white nail polish, but tbh, any color plus white will give you that dreamy milky effect we’re all obsessed with.  

How to Ask for Soft Serve Nails at the Salon

Ask for a “soft french ombre” or “milk bath gradient.” Also, bring your inspo pics because visual references are your best friend. Swartwood says, “Most techs will know exactly what you mean, but having that photo eliminates any guesswork.” And pro tip: Specify you want that milky, blended finish versus a harsh line.