Zendaya Kicked Off Soft Girl Winter With a Pink Milky Manicure

There’s no doubt in the entire universe that Zendaya knows how to make an impact. And yet, sometimes her softest looks (remember the wet hair and “I Told Ya” T-shirt from Challengers?) pack the most punch.

On Monday, December 2, the actor showed up at the Gotham Awards, the indie film and TV awards event that marks the kickoff of awards season, wearing a simple white halter gown custom made by Louis Vuitton and a milky manicure to match.

Classic as can be, her short nails were filed into a slight almond shape and glossed over just enough so that the natural pink shade of her nail beds was visible. There was no drama, no flair, no special effect—just that aforementioned pretty punch packed only by au naturel beauty and a tiny bit of polish.

To accessorize the mani, Zendaya wore a gigantic diamond ring on her left middle finger (just Bulgari brand ambassador things, baby!). The theme moved to her head with diamond studs from the jeweler exhibited alongside a bouncy slicked-back ponytail—again, both simple yet oh-so-chic.

Makeup-wise, her big brown eyes gleamed under heavy lashes and perfectly plucked brows. Some soft pink blush on the apples of her cheeks and a sweep of pink lipgloss were the other key components of the look, echoing the shade of her nails and once again letting her classic beauty lead the way.

As celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein previously told Byrdie, a milky manicure is “a softer version of a stark white manicure, but adds a bit more color than a sheer nude. It makes your nails look clean and polished.”

While this one leaned more pink than white, the sentiment is the same. To get the look at home, Goldstein suggested making your own polish by mixing three drops of your favorite top coat with one drop of a creamy white polish (perhaps Chanel Le Vernis Blanc Écume?). Then, apply enough coats so it looks polished but not stark white and finish with more top coat.