Apparently, everyone's going to be getting 'foggy French nails' this season.

If you've taken a quick look at the most popular nail trends of 2025, you'll realise something very obvious: less is better. No matter if it's soap nails or nail tints, striking a balance between sheer, pearlescent, opaque and gloss seems to be all the rage. 

And if there's one look that does exactly that, it's foggy French nails (AKA, a milky French). 

Here's everything you need to know about the hottest manicure trend of the moment. 

Watch: Leigh Campbell sits down with cosmetic scientist Dr Michelle Wong who spills the truth about clean beauty. Post continues below.

What is a foggy French manicure?

Apparently, a regular French mani has become too stark for our times, which is why a foggy French is the perfect alternative as it softens the look by dialling down the opacity.

So, how is this done?

Well, instead of sealing the tips with a clear topcoat right away, an extra layer of the base shade is applied on top before finishing. This tones down the sharpness of the tip colour, creating a soft, hazy and well, foggy, effect. 

Celebrities are even loving this trend. Madison Beer rocked a foggy French at the Grammys. 

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Khloe Kardashian has also been spotted sporting a soft pink version.

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Just like soap nails, the foggy French is a look that goes with every outfit and is suitable for any occasion, be it a casual dinner, a regular work day or a formal event. 

How do you achieve the Foggy French manicure?

Your nail artist - or yourself, if you decide to go in-house - will start off with thoroughly cleaning the nails of any previous polish, buffing them until they shine, carefully and neatly trimming away rough cuticles, and filing the tips so they're perfectly symmetrical. To go the extra mile, a light exfoliation of the hands to rid of any dead skin cells (followed by a hand mask) is always a smart idea. 

Once the nails are prepped, a base coat is applied, followed by a sheer base shade — soft pink or white works beautifully. The tips are then painted with an opaque colour, typically white or pink (but you can get as creative as you want!). To achieve the signature foggy effect, another coat of the base shade is applied over the entire nail, softening the contrast between the tip and base. Finally, a high-quality topcoat seals the look for a glossy and long-lasting finish.

To keep your foggy French looking le chic, don't forget to nourish your nails post-mani with cuticle oil and a hydrating hand cream.

What nail polish colours work well with the foggy French nail trend?

If you want to DIY the look, consider using the following products:

For the base coat: OPI Infinite Shine Base Coat, $19.95 (usually $24.95).

Image: Adore Beauty.

For the base shade: OPI Nail Lacquer - Put It In Neutral, $17.56 (usually $21.95).

Image: Adore Beauty.

Or, try Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers, $9.95 (usually $15.99).

Image: Adore Beauty.

Or, Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Ballerina, $49.

Image: David Jones.

For the French tip: Essie Nail Polish in Blanc, $9.95 (usually $15.99).

Image: Chemist Warehouse.

For the top coat: Barry M Plumpy Top Coat, $4.97 (usually $9.95).

Image: Adore Beauty.

Have you tried the foggy French manicure trend? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Feature image: Pinterest.