Sometimes, all you need from a manicure is perfectly buffed and well-shaped bare nails. Other times, you might crave longer nails, but not everyone has natural length or strength. For those minimalists who aren’t so lucky, nail artist Fariha Ali (@nailjob) offers a solution she calls “oat milk nails.”
Featured on her Instagram on October 18, oat milk nails mimic the look of natural, bare nails with their milky, off-white tips, but they’re crafted from gel extensions. According to Ali in an interview with Allure, oat milk nails are an elevated version of a similar manicure she designed for a client previously. “My client wanted something super natural-looking for her nails while adding some length, so we decided to mimic natural nails with gel instead of doing clear extensions,” she recalls. “I had done a sheer white nail look a couple of years ago that I named almond milk nails and it had been quite a hit, so we decided that this was the 2020 version of those, and hence: oat milk rather than almond milk.”
Ali compares oat milk nails to no-makeup makeup: they’re designed to subtly enhance the natural look. Think of them as a fresh take on the traditional pink and white French manicure. According to Ali, the process to achieve this look is just as straightforward, if not simpler, than the classic French manicure. “The process is quite similar to creating any hard gel set, but instead of creating clear extensions, I tried to mimic her natural free edge colour using an off-white hard gel.”
If you show a photo of oat milk nails to your go-to nail artist, they should be able to recreate the look easily, provided they have a gel that matches your natural nail color. The best part? According to Ali, you can apply regular polish over these nails and remove it whenever you like, just as you would with your natural nails, “the grow out would be close to invisible.”
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, oat milk nails perfectly embody the “no-makeup makeup” philosophy for fingertips. They combine the natural elegance of healthy nails with a touch of polish and refinement, creating a universally flattering and versatile look. Just like a well-executed no-makeup makeup look, oat milk nails enhance your natural beauty without overwhelming it. They’re perfect for those who appreciate a subtle yet sophisticated approach to nail art.
