White Nails Don't Care About Your Seasonal Rules Anymore

The color screams "I have a standing appointment."

best white nail polishes
(Image credit: Future)

Once reserved for weddings and beach vacations, white nail polish has officially rebranded. What was once considered basic is now rich-girl coded—quietly luxe, surprisingly versatile, and all over your feed. The sudden surge proves it's no longer just a seasonal fling. The white nail trend has become synonymous with celebs, influencers, and polish brands alike—not just because it's a neutral that pairs with everything, but because it gives off that "I have a standing appointment" kind of vibe.

I'll be honest: Hailey Bieber deserves her flowers. She basically launched the white-adjacent nail takeover a few years back with her signature frosty finishes and the forever-iconic glazed donut manicure. While other color trends like mocha mousse and wine are often accompanied by maximalist nail art, white polish is decidedly staying true to its understated persona. It's now a year-round staple with a million (minimalist) personalities: bright and opaque, sheer and milky, shimmery and chrome. Whether you're into polish or press-ons, there's a white nail color that fits the bill—keep reading for my absolute favorites.

Shop My Favorite White Polishes and Press-Ons

Siena Gagliano
Beauty Editor

Siena Gagliano is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she writes and edits reported features, trend stories, and expert-backed shopping roundups. Before joining the team full-time, she was an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she specialized in SEO-first beauty content and commerce strategy. Her bylines have also appeared in Allure, ELLE, Bustle, Well+Good, Popsugar, and Women's Health, covering everything from the best products for brighter, glowier skin to the science behind face mapping. Curious about the behind-the-scenes magazine life and her go-to beauty picks? Follow her on Instagram at @sienagagliano.