Manicures & Style

Melania Trump’s signature manicure: A timeless style she’s worn faithfully for over a decade


From french tips to the milky nail trend, the First Lady has kept her manicure routine elegant since 2011


© Karwai Tang
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 11:11 AM EDT

After two presidential elections, the First Lady’s aesthetic has become a recognizable beauty trend. Melania Trump has been called the ultimate ambassador of this polished look. E

ven when it comes to her nails, with her signature milky manicure that she has remained faithful to since 2011, Melania proves that timeless elegance is about finding what works and never letting it go. Just like Queen Letizia with her signature hairstyle, Melania leaves no room for improvisation, embracing a beauty routine that is as consistent as it is sophisticated.

© Brian ZAK
Melania Trump MET Gala 2007

This nail trend is loved for its versatility and elegance, two qualities nude shades are known for. The milky finish adapts to any situation, which explains why Melania has stayed faithful to it for over a decade. Before adopting this style, she favored a clean, natural manicure with only a clear top coat.

© Brian ZAK
Close up Melania's Manicure

Before the Milky Nail Era

In her earlier years, Melania opted for simplicity and discretion. Her nails were perfectly shaped, medium in length, with no bold colors in sight. The only time she embraced a trend was in 2007, when she wore the classic French manicure, a timeless look with a nude base, medium length, and a delicate white tip. This elegant style visually elongates the hands and has never gone out of fashion. Still, it was only a stepping stone toward her now-iconic milky nails.

© Gilbert Carrasquillo
Melania Trump attends the world premiere of "Tower Heist" in 2011

The Rise of Milky Nails

It was in 2011 that Melania discovered her perfect match: milky white nails. Unlike traditional white polish or transparent nude shades, this look achieves the ideal balance, translucent yet soft, creating a clean, polished effect. At first, she kept them at a medium length, but as First Lady, she embraced a longer, more sophisticated style.

© Karwai Tang

The First Lady’s Signature Look

Her loyalty to this manicure was on full display at the Candlelight Dinner in Washington, D.C. in 2017, during Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th President of the United States. That night, Melania introduced a variation of her go-to nails: a hybrid between milky white and French manicure. With a subtle gradient that echoed the “baby boomer” technique, it became one of her most memorable beauty statements.

© PATRICK T. FALLON
US President Donald Trump (L) and US First Lady Melania Trump dance to The Battle Hymn of the Republic during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball on January 20, 2025.
© WPA Pool
First Lady Melania Trump holds a miniature antique book as she tours the Royal Library with Britain's Queen Camilla

A Timeless Choice in 2025

Now, as Donald Trump leads the United States, Melania continues to rely on her trusted manicure. 

Whether attending state visits, official galas, or elegant dinners, her milky French nails remain a constant. They are her secret weapon to ensure her hands always look refined, well-groomed, and perfectly in line with her polished style.

More than just a beauty choice, Melania Trump’s nails have become part of her identity, proof that sometimes the key to timeless elegance is finding what works and staying faithful to it.

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