As overgrown cuticles can cause a crop of issues, you’ll want to practice regular nail hygiene—you know, cleaning, filing, and clipping. Without proper training, though, it’s difficult to cut the cuticles safely and correctly. If you’re able, see a professional who can trim the excess skin so they stay healthy—although, experts suggest opting for no more than two salon manicures a month.
Beauty lovers clearly can’t get enough of ethereal aesthetics inspired by the fantastical, from mother-of-pearl manis to fairycore makeup. The latest trend? Iridescent seashell nails, which A-list nail enthusiasts Kylie Jenner, Megan Fox, and Saweetie have all co-signed, as have celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik and his client turned mermaid Hailee Steinfeld.
No two sets are alike — Kylie’s are multi-coloured while Megan’s and Hailee’s are blue and Saweetie’s pink—and the style is essentially another variation on the chrome moment (chroment?).
“Chrome nails have had their moment and a half for the past few seasons, but Kylie Jenner just took it to a new level and brought back a nostalgic Y2K trend: multi-chrome nails,” Juli Russell, Sally Beauty DIY nail expert, tells GLAMOUR.
Kylie’s take in particular, which was created by celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, is well on its way to taking spring and summer nail trends by storm — especially since Zola and her client Hailey Bieber are the duo who kicked off glazed donut mani mayhem (IYKYK).
“These colour-shifting, one-of-a-kind manicures are formulated with different chromatic pigments that reveal new shades at every angle, giving it that mermaid-tail-like effect,” Juli says of the style. But while they may look complicated, she insists it’s actually all in the product (more on that below).
Seashell nails are super easy not only to DIY but to customise too. Because the fantastical finish primarily lies in the base, you can design your base coats and polishes according to your personal taste. Megan’s recent take on the trend, for example, was an iridescent icy blue.
“Multi-chrome nails can be done with regular polish, gel, and chrome powder, or a topper polish,” Juli says. “So wherever your DIY level is at, there’s an option for you to achieve the look at home.”
Okay…so what’s the catch (of the day)? There really isn’t one. Seashell nails are user-friendly, personalised, and very much on trend. Fitting right in with mermaidcore and fairycore aesthetics, they are pretty much tailor-(mer)made for spring and summer manis.
“Aquatic mermaid-inspired nails are such a vibe, especially with summer approaching,” says pro nail artist John Avery, who recently created what he calls a “moonlit mermaid mani,” a purple-and-pink-tinted ombré design adorned with cloud nail art, for a client (see above).
“They are such a fun splash of bold eye-catching colour perfect for any beach destination or a just fun summer look,” he says. What’s more, John notes, is by pairing a set of seashell nails with a wet-hair look, you have a super-simple-to-DIY “mermaid moment.” And who doesn’t want that? Exactly. Here’s how to DIY.
For an ombré look, John suggests choosing two colours, applying one on the base and using the second colour to ombré from the tip using a brush or sponge. “Once done, apply a chrome powder and voilà! You have the perfect summer mermaid nails.”
CHICAGO — A former DuPage County prosecutor accused of making threats against state lawmakers and the Illinois Attorney General over social media has been charged.
30-year-old Samuel Cundari, who was an Assistant State’s Attorney in DuPage County, has been charged with transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure another person, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of Illinois.
Prosecutors say authorities were initially contacted by two Illinois State Representatives on March 17, after they were allegedly tagged in a threatening post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The post allegedly stated “Our patience grows short with you. The day we put your kids’ feet first into a woodchipper so we can enjoy their last few screams is coming.”
Five other people or groups were also allegedly tagged in the post, including the Illinois Attorney General, and as a result, the FBI began an investigation.
Prosecutors say a couple of days prior, on May 15, a tip came into the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center regarding another post on X that appeared to be in response to an advertisement about the Springfield PrideFest, which took place on May 18.
Prosecutors say the post allegedly stated “I sure hope NOBODY leaves a pressure cooker filled with bail bearings, glass, and nails, filled with diesel fuel and fertilizer, with the over pressure safety valve disabled, near a natural gas line line [sic]. That would be VERY sad and VERY unfortunate.”
According to prosecutors, authorities were able to trace back the two social media posts to Cundari.
Cundari was subsequently arrested and charged.
If convicted, Cundari could face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a possible fine of up to $250,000.
With the official start of summer only weeks away it’s tempting to lean towards opaque pastel polishes. But a new stealth nail trend is emerging. Coined the “glass slipper mani” by celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik, it’s the latest riff on glazed donut nails that we’ve been waiting to show off against a tan.
Lauren Sánchez debuted the look at the 2024 Met Gala as the perfect pearly complement to her strapless Oscar de la Renta black gown, featuring mirrored embellishments on the full skirt in the shape of flowers.
Picking up on the shattered glass effect, and a fairytale interpretation of the Met Gala’s “Garden of Time” theme, Tom caption his Instagram post: “Synergizing off the stained glass perfection of her custom @oscardelarenta gown, we wanted the nails to be very feminine and elegant like the soft light diffusion of sheer iridescent glass.”
See the “pink glass slipper mani”
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To recreate Cinderella’s fabled glass slipper, Lauren wore neat, long, almond-shaped gel tips. Tom laid down a smattering of tiny pale pink metallic flakes with flecks of icy blue and green before setting them with a clear, glass-effect gel nail varnish to achieve the desired high-shine finish.
All before hand-painting a miniature white rose on a single pinky finger “to add a little bit of extra personality”, he said.
The pink glass slipper mani is characterised by a prismatic shimmer rather than heavy glitter or an in-your-face chromatic metal overlay. Above all else, it’s dainty and so light-reflective, it’s guaranteed to reveal the full spectrum of pastel hues in golden hour.
We’ve all been there. You’re at the nail salon, either standing in front of the wall o’ nail polish, rifling through the keychain-like plastic swatches, or perusing the book of shades (you know you’re in a really fancy salon when they’ve got a rococo hardcover catalog of nail polish samples), and you’re immobilised with ambivalence. How are you supposed to pick one colour? Technically, you can do a different colour on each nail if you really wanted to, but what if your soul is drawing you to more than 10 hues? (Hey, it happens.) Well, Halle Bailey has a brilliantly bold and beautiful suggestion for the indecisive among us.
The singer and actor shared a super-cute post on her Instagram in which she’s showing off her adorable Fendi Peekaboo ISeeU Petite bag. But make sure you swipe to the second photo, which is far more manicure-centric than the first.
She clearly loves the extra-pale blue shade of the bag, but that obviously wasn’t what she was feeling for her nails. Instead, she went with not only a different colour for each nail, but a different colour combination for each nail.
On the hand closest to the camera, we see that her pinky features shades of pink and green, her ring finger is purple and blue, her middle finger sticks with purple and blue but adds fuchsia, and her pointer finger is host to shades of beige. The ethereal, abstract, tie-dye-esque effect somehow makes them really work together instead of clash.
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There’s no rhyme or reason to the manicure’s colours or design, but there doesn’t have to be. It’s refreshingly beautiful to just go with colours you love looking at whenever you catch a glimpse of your hand. Thanks for the inspo, Halle Bailey!
A version of this article originally appeared on Allure.
One of Cardi’s most talked about looks came in January 2023. The “I Like It” rapper took to Instagram to show off the bedazzled set she donned for an appearance on the Jason Lee Show. In the carousel of photos, the “Please Me” musician’s nails were elongated with acrylics and filed into a square shape. Manicurist Jenny Bui — who has worked with the New York native for over a decade — topped Cardi’s claws with colorful rhinestones in various shapes and sizes.
Cameron has also slayed with edgy manicures. In May 2022, she took to social media to share a flawless design with her followers. Some of the almond-shaped nails featured a clear coat while her others were covered in show-stopping accessories. To top the look off, Cameron’s fingers were painted silver.
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MGK, for his part, turned heads with eye-catching nails at the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards. For the soirée, he arrived with a unique set of lengthy nails that reportedly took six hours to create — even though only one of his hands was decorated. Brought to life by celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce, the manicure featured snakeskin polish, chains, spikes and more. He paired the acrylics with a white and pink suit that was also finished with studs.
Keep scrolling to see these celebrities and more wildest nail designs of all time:
Are nude nails out? Model and presenter Heidi Klum just made a convincing case for the new nail trend of summer 2024: the mineral manicure.
Heidi is known for her love of bright colours, so it’s not exactly a surprise that her latest manicure features a bright shade we’ve rarely seen on nails before. After all, nude nails, such as milky nails or naked nails, were one of the stand-out beauty trends over the winter. Heidi Klum’s new nail polish definitely brings some variety into the mix. We particularly like how the shade is inspired by a gemstone. Which one? See for yourself…
Heidi Klum took us behind the scenes at the America’s Got Talent auditions with a candid selfie. and those eye-catching nails on full display. Note the length – stiletto nails if ever we saw them – and the ultra-striking shade of blue.
In her stories, Heidi Klum also answers exactly which shade it is. Turquoise, FYI.
@heidiklum
The colour is reminiscent of the mineral turquoise, a gemstone that occurs naturally on earth, for example, in Iran and the USA. It is one of the oldest gemstones in the world. Turquoise is considered a healing stone and is said to protect against misfortune. It also stands for loyalty, friendship, and solidarity.
If you look closely, you will see that Heidi Klum not only combines her “mineral manicure” with a dark blue dress but also a delicate bracelet with turquoise stones.
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More precisely, the bracelet is a “Nazar amulet”, a blue amulet in the shape of an eye, which is believed to ward off the “evil eye” in Greece, Turkey and parts of Southeast Asia. In combination with her mineral manicure, it not only looks beautiful but hopefully keeps any bad juju at bay.
**This article was originally published in Glamour Germany. **
Danielle BrooksFREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
Danielle Brooks found a creative way to convey that she is making history at the 2024 Oscars.
The 34-year-old actress graced the red carpet on Sunday, March 10, wearing “26” on her nails. The number signifies that she is the 26th Black woman to ever be nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars.
Brooks wore the sentimentally detailed nails with a strapless black Dolce and Gabbana gown that featured a corset-like top, a deep thigh slit and a long train that splayed out to the side.
She wore her shoulder-length hair down and parted to the side. For glam, she sported black winged eyeliner, long lashes and dewy foundation.
The 2024 Oscar nods include several frequently-nominated stars, but even more interesting are the many first-time nominees. America Ferrera, whose Best Actress in a Supporting Role nomination for Barbie is her first, heard the news while laying in bed. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Subscribe By signing up, I agree to […]
Brooks is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Color Purple. She is nominated alongside four other actresses, including Emily Blunt for her role in Oppenheimer, America Ferrera for her role in Barbie, Jodie Foster for her part in Nyad and Da’Vine Joy Randolph for her role in The Holdovers.
Danielle BrooksKevin Mazur/Getty Images
The Color Purple tells the poignant story of Celie (Fantasia Barrino), a Black woman in the early 20th century American South, who overcomes oppression and abuse to find her voice and self-worth. Brooks plays Sofia, Celie’s assertive and resilient sister-in-law.
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The Color Purple was surprisingly snubbed at this year’s Oscars. Brooks is the only actor from the film to be nominated for an Oscar, and the film itself did not garner any nominations.
The stars were out and shining bright on the red carpet at the 2024 Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards. The 17th annual ceremony, which honors women who have made remarkable achievements in the film and TV industry, took place in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 7. This year’s honorees included Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey […]
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight published on February 12, Brooks revealed how she feels about her nomination in light of this fact.
Danielle BrooksAliah Anderson/Getty Images
“We can’t predict what’s going to happen but this would be a huge win, not just for me, but for all of the people involved [in the movie],” Brooks told the publication, adding, “I am super humbled, but there’s so many people that I want this for — especially because The Color Purple has left such a stamp on American cinema that I think it’s deserving of it.”
We’re deeply manifesting spring, because alongside lighter evenings and the return of rosé we’re looking forward to the step-change the new season brings – for our mood, and our makeup bag. We’d almost forgotten how much we love a colour pop eyeliner and sheer juicy mani, so we teamed up with top makeup artist, Francesca Brazzo, hair stylist, Ken O’Rourke and nail artist, Robbie Tomkins to help mood board our spring beauty wardrobe with all the top-trending inspo.
The main takeaway? Chromatic is the new chrome. It takes the glazed, glossy finish that just works as soon as the spring sunshine hits, but it majors on playful bursts of experimental colour, too. Whether you’re decorating your eyebrow arches (yes, really), remixing lip liner in lilac, flipping the glossy hair trend on its ends or updating your nails with the next-gen jelly texture, here are the chromatic spring beauty trends to know…
Blue tones
Blue has been tipped as the shade to watch this spring with Pinterest spotlighting the shade in its 2024 report. Instead of the blueberry milk nails that headlined last spring, this time round we’ll be wearing blue tones as pops of colour on our eyes. “To make colour pop, you use a cream or gel base first in the same colour, and when you put the eyeshadow on top, the colour pops and it lasts longer,” explains Francesca.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
If you haven’t been to the nail salon in a while or the winter weather has taken a toll on your skin (same), it might be time to get your hands on the Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream from Onyx Professional. It has over 46,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, and trust me, the reviews section is popping off.
This product not only has shoppers sounding off in the reviews section, but it also has been around for over 25 years, per the brand. The nourishing cream is chock full of vitamins, minerals, and emollients that help strengthen, restore, condition, and repair nails and cuticles. Especially if you’re experiencing damage from fake, acrylic, or gel nails, this one’s for you. Not to mention, the brand says Hard As Hoof encourages nail growth. Get yourself a product that can truly do it all! And get it while it’s on sale for $8 on Amazon.
Which ingredients make this nail strengthening cream so effective? Just a blend of coconut oil, shea butter, safflower oil, urea, jojoba oil, calcium, beeswax, and vitamins A, B5, C, D, and E. It’s no wonder why shoppers with brittle, cracking, splitting, thin nails are raving about the formula.
Onyx Professional.
One wrote, “This worked immediately
. A few days after using it, my nails had grown out beautifully and fully. Days, only. I am very grateful to Onyx Professional for actually helping me strengthen my nails.”
“I have tried five different nail strengtheners and collagen but they remained dry, brittle, peeling, splitting, and ragged. I was beginning to think I would never have nails again until this cream,” explained another reviewer. “Within a couple of applications, they appeared less dry and they [felt] stronger. Will be ordering another bottle so I can always have [it] on hand. I really thought my nails were doomed forever but now I have hope.”
Another happy shopper commented, “This is great stuff! I have very thin, brittle nails and ragged cuticles due to having my hands in dishwater and dye chemicals often,” adding, “It has made a huge difference for my chapped hands and hangnails
. I have had fewer incidents of splitting, breaking nails, and peeling cuticles, too.”
“I have long struggled with split, peeling, chipped fingernails. Tried countless “miracle” products and spent a small fortune, all to no avail. But Hard As Hoof is the real deal, folks. As soon as I massaged it into my fingernails, the difference was immediate and remarkable. I was actually amazed at how much, and how quickly my nails soaked this stuff up,” raved another user. “So if you are looking for a first aid kit in a jar for dry, splitting, peeling and cracked nails, Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream is the only 911 call you need to make.”
If no other treatments have helped your cuticles and nails thus far, give this one a go. It’s formulated to yield results that actually last. Your nails should grow quicker, longer, harder, and stronger
, and you should see reduced chipping, splitting, breaking, and cracking. And now that spring and summer are fast approaching, get your nails manicure-ready with regular use of this nail strengthening cream.
After reading these glowing reviews, the only thing left to do is to follow the 46,000+ five-star shoppers’ lead and add the Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream to your Amazon cart
. Remember that the tub is on sale for 21 percent off, with its price dropping from $10 to $8.
Last night, the 66th annual Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles. While there were many notable beauty looks to discuss, including Taylor Swift’s Schiaparelli Couture dress and Miley Cyrus’s “golden goddess” makeup, we noticed something that would have otherwise slipped subtly under the radar. Two Gen Z celebs walked the pre-show red carpet with classic nude manicures that were created with the exact same drugstore nail polish, and it’s only $12. As far as red carpet beauty moments go, this one couldn’t be easier to re-create. Keep scrolling to see each celeb’s manicure and the nail polish used and learn the exact steps it takes to re-create it.
Yoko Sakakura is the celebrity nail artist who created Rodrigo’s manicure. “Tonight, we decided to switch it up from Olivia’s usual dark and edgy nails,” she said in a press release. “OPI has the prettiest classic shades, and we specifically chose two of my favorite natural tones to capture the same elegant aesthetic as her cream dress adorned in crystals.”. She used OPI’s salon-only gel nail polish, but lucky for us, we can re-create the look at home using the exact same shades of the brand’s traditional nail polish. In other words, we can get the look without a UV lamp. Sakakura started by prepping Rodrigo’s nails, and then she applied a base coat and cured it. For our purposes, we’ll use OPI’s Natural Nail Base Coat ($12). Then, it’s time for nail color.
First, she applied a thin coat of the brand’s iconic shade Put It in Neutral, which is a pink-beige.
Then, she applied a thin coat of another iconic shade, Bubble Bath, over top. (This is a classic sheer pink and a Who What Wear team favorite.) Sakakura finished off the simple yet effective combo with a layer of topcoat. Again, she used the salon-only gel version, but we’ll use OPI’s Top Coat ($12). It’s as easy as that.
Sreynin Peng is the celebrity nail artist who created Madison Beer’s manicure. “Keeping it very classic, we went with two popular OPI shades, Do You Take Lei Away? and Put It in Neutral, for Madison’s nail look,” she said in a press release. “Madison has amazing nails, so we kept the same almond shape that she regularly sports, which can really elevate any nail look. This combined with the layering of the shades offered a timeless nail that perfectly complemented Madison’s gown.” Again, OPI’s salon-only gel nail polish was used, but we can re-create the look with the same shades in traditional nail lacquer. Just as before, we’ll start by prepping our nails and using OPI’s Natural Nail Base Coat ($12) to set the foundation for color.
Once the base coat was dry, Peng applied a coat of this muted beige onto Beer’s almond-shaped nails.
Then, she added a layer of Put It in Neutral over the top. The final step was to apply a topcoat. Again, we’ll use OPI’s Top Coat ($12). That’s it—four easy steps to re-creating a red carpet manicure.
We love this elegant muted rose.
This soft brown is so pretty.
Essie’s Ballet Slippers is another drugstore icon.
Chanel has some of the best neutral nail polishes.
You’ve been embraced as an It girl on TikTok over the past couple of years. How would you describe your everyday approach to beauty and style?
My everyday approach to beauty is enhancing my natural features and finding those little things that make me special. When I watch beauty tutorials on my makeup looks by other people, they often try to just copy what I’m doing, but that’s not always necessarily the best thing to do. I think you should look at my videos, take your pieces from it, and spin it in a way that fits your face. For example, if my contour is sitting up here because I have a higher cheekbone, that doesn’t mean yours needs to be there. I think it’s really all about looking at yourself and figuring out the parts of your face that can be enhanced.
I take a very classic approach when it comes to fashion. One thing I always say since it’s been installed in me since I was younger is to never follow trends. A lot of the time when you follow trends, you’ll look back five years from now and wonder, “What was I thinking?!” I stay true to a really timeless style, which allows me to never look back and question the fashion decisions I’ve made in the past. I really gravitate toward classic suit blazers, nice trousers, a good belt, and having staple jewelry, which is so important to help pull an outfit together. You can have the simplest outfit on, and if you also have fabulous earrings, you look so luxe and chic.
We can never get enough of your “get ready with me” videos, luxury shopping hauls, and photo shoots. What message do you hope to impart to your viewers and followers?
When people look at my content, I want them to feel inspired. About [my recent] luxury haul in particular, I had no idea the effect it would have on people. They instantly went out and treated themselves to amazing products! I love to be an inspiration and push people toward things that they would never ordinarily do for themselves and become what they didn’t think they could be. I also hope I can inspire people with their style and health journeys!
I just posted about the Pressed Juicery juice cleanse that I did, and so many people responded to that saying that they wanted to step their game up and start the year off right. There were so many benefits to that cleanse! It helped with bloating and made my skin so glowy. I also hope that … the workout and fitness routines I post … can also inspire people to feel good inside and out.
How has becoming a mother shifted your self-view?
It has made me more aware of a lot of things than I was before. It’s made me become a lot more healthy because, of course, I want to give my daughter the healthiest options for when she’s eating and when she’s out and about to avoid chemicals. My approach to health and wellness has grown and improved with her in my life, which has been really interesting and fun. I love having a lot of positivity around her, so in my daily life, I try to remain super happy and positive all the time, which I have always done. Now, I think about creating a safe space and energy for her. It’s been the best journey ever! She’s the sweetest, cutest little girl, and I just can’t wait to be her mom for the rest of her life.
What are some things you’re looking forward to in 2024? Are there any projects you can share with us?
My day-to-day consists of my activewear brand, so I’m really excited for the future of that and have a lot of exciting things coming. We’re still a really small team, so it’s fun! I’m wearing a lot of hats, so it’s nice to see everything coming to life, and all of the aspirations and dreams I had for the brand are really starting to form.
Before we jump to conclusions, let’s get one thing straight. I’ll never abandon neutral nail colors. Whether it’s a classic nude manicure or a pretty, pearl shade we’re talking about, I’ll admit that neutrals tend to suit any season or situation. I’ll also admit that they can elongate the look of my stubby fingers. So, yes, I like them. I’m just not that into them right now.
That’s because, lately, I’ve been having a not-so-subtle love affair with dark nail colors. I’m talking about brooding shades of oxblood red, midnight blue, espresso brown, and inky black. I’m not picky. As long as it’s moody and mysterious, I’m in. It’s gotten to the point where I haven’t touched my neutral nail colors in weeks. They’re just sitting in my drawer, collecting dust. And I hate to say it, but that’s where they’re going to stay for the foreseeable future. Ahead, see 15 nail colors that will convince you to join the dark side (of manicures, that is).
One of my greatest joys is showing love to the people in my life, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to do that. I don’t have a boyfriend, so I’m going all out for Galentine’s Day this year. Even though I’m strapped for time and on a budget, I’m still treating my besties to some showstopping gifts—I’m talking the cutest press-on nails, lip colors in every shade of pink and red, and beautiful blushes. I’m picking these up from CVS, which couldn’t be easier for me because it’s around the corner from my apartment. Given my career, my friends have high expectations of any beauty gifts I give them, and I’m telling you these buys don’t disappoint. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve been partial to neutral nail polish shades I can count on to complement my dark skin tone while working well with the bright whites, blues, and earth tones that make up the bulk of my wardrobe. Despite this, until recently, brown nail polish was never my first pick when faced with an expansive selection of shades at the salon. Here’s the thing—I spent over 11 years of my childhood avoiding anything other that OPI’s Bubble Bath, Put in Neutral, and Sweet Heart due to my dance studio’s strict rule of keeping our nails natural-looking, clean, and clipped at all times.
Little did I know that as a melanin-blessed ballerina, there were about twice as many shades of brown across a number of brands that were my nude. Now, as a beauty editor, I’ve come to the conclusion, based on expert findings and my own exploration with products, that neutral nail polish shades, particularly brown colors, are perpetually in style. Year after year, shades of brown are spotted on and off the runways, worn by award-winning celebrities on red carpets and all the fashion people populating your Instagram Explore page.
Keep reading to take a look at some of the trendiest brown nail colors that we’ll be seeing on only the most stylish people this season, from OPI’s cult-classic Espresso Yourself to the ever-luxurious Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Brun Bistre. I’ve even provided a few of my go-to manicure tools to get the perfect nail look every time. You’re welcome!
As the conversations around beauty have evolved, so have the people who are actively claiming their places in the beauty community. From the rise of acne advocates to the normalization of traditional face tattoos in media, what was once an intentionally exclusive community has grown to include people from all walks of life. Nowhere is that more apparent than with the rise of the “menicure.”
Men wearing nail polish was popularized in the ’70s and ’80s when musicians like Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, and Robert Smith, all had manicures as a part of their aesthetics, but “menicures” actually date back much further than that. “A number of Old Kingdom (c. 2575-2150 BCE) elite tomb chapels include scenes of men receiving nail treatments,” Elizabeth Frood, associate professor of Egyptology at the University of Oxford, previously told POPSUGAR.
Today, we’ve seen a rise in men wearing nail polish and experimenting with their beauty routines. Most recently, Dwyane Wade’s nails were a topic of discussion when he wore a black and red Miami Heat-themed manicure during his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in January 2024. Even still, performers like A$AP Rocky and Bad Bunny have made nail art a part of their signature styles, proving to naysayers there is no gender binary in beauty, especially in the nail space. With that, there has also been a rise in brands created by celebrity men. Machine Gun Kelly revealed that he was working on his own nail-polish brand, Un/Dn Laqr, in April 2021. Shortly after, Harry Styles announced the launch of his nail-polish line, Pleasing, in November. Tyler the Creator became the latest to throw his hat into the beauty game with the launch of Golf le Fleur, which features three nail polishes, in December of the same year.
Because there has been so much inspiration going around as of late, we rounded up the best male celebrities that you can follow to recreate their looks.
Regardless of any relationship status, Valentine’snails offer the perfect opportunity to show your nails a little love. When it comes to romance, we highly endorse a self-care sesh, and setting aside time to zone out, nourish cuticles and emerge with a design that brings good vibes each time you look at it is effort well spent in our opinion.
As for which designs to choose? Red for Vally Day may not be groundbreaking, but it’s an undeniable classic. We’ve seen some stunning manis that remix traditional pinks and rouge in a modern, covetable way, whether it’s across the whole nail, ombréd out, or making a guest appearance as an accent, like a French tip or retro swirls (which are proving very popular).
Likewise, hearts and kisses can easily lead into mushy territory, but we’ve been crushing on clean, minimalist renditions that feel cool and grown-up – though we’re here for maximalist multi-layered heart designs too. We’ve even seen manis that incorporate the nail shape into a heart design, using the tips as the point.
If reds and pinks are not your bag, monochrome black or white heart nails keep things interesting and go with everything. And if you want to stand out, 3D Vally designs are bold and beautiful.
To help inspire your decision, we’ve put together an edit of the most beautiful nail ideas that work equally well across acrylic nails, gel nails and every different nail shape. There’s options for long coffin nails through to short and natural shapes. For the romantics, we’ve found beautiful red, pink and heart designs. And we’ve got modern twists on classics with cutout details and heart French tips.
Pink swirl nails
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Mix and match tips
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3D heart nails
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Swirl hearts
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Pink glitter tips
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Hot pink hearts
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Hearts and gems
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Red Frenchie glazed donut nails
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Little hearts
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Chrome heart nails
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Love me most
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Black and glitter hearts
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Classic red
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Baby pink heart Frenchies
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Neon pink French tips
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Love hearts
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Scattered hearts
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Hearts and French tips
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Pink and red hearts
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Pink smileys
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Cut-out red heart
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Bright pink
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Pink and red heart emojis
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Frenchies and hearts
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We have seen natural-looking nude polishes reign supreme in every season of 2023 so far, and winter will be no exception. “The great thing about a nude nail is that it’s very flattering and can give the appearance of longer, slender fingers. Nudes are also a great base for any minimal nail-art designs. If you’re someone who isn’t able to wear polish for work reasons, a nude nail is a great way of looking polished without drawing attention to your nails,” says Shelton.
Our top tip is to shop for a sheer polish—they tend to work across all skin tones and make mistakes harder to spot.
If there’s one trend that broke the beauty internet over the past couple of years, it’s glazed donut nails, but heading into 2024, aurora nails look likely to steal the crown. The trend takes the bits that made it’s glazed sis a hit (glowy, cute, eye-catching), but adds a modern update to keep things interesting.
One dreamy rendition we saw on the Instagram account of LA based, Korean American nail artist, Mary Koh, has us hooked. It sees icy pink and white holographic details submerged in a pretty, translucent gel.
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What are Aurora nails?
The design sees shimmer and glow suspended in a clear gel that changes colour as you move your nails – like the northern lights (or aurora borealis), or water below a frozen surface.
The trend, which also goes by “uru uru nails” and “ice nails” has K-beauty to thank for its inception. “It’s a popular trend in Seoul, which is where I learnt it,” explains Mary. “In Korea it’s called ‘uru uru nails’. I wanted to bring it back as a simple yet fun design,” she adds.
Essentially it’s a glowier, 3D rendition of glazed donut nails that can add pretty interest and dimension to your outfit.
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How to do Aurora nails?
Aurora nails start out looking very much like glazed donut nails, but gel and holographic foil are layered on top to create a 3D effect, then the whole lot is encased in a thick gel top coat. “I created my look by layering foils in a multi-step process,” Mary told GLAMOUR. But to really next-level it, nail care is paramount. “Most importantly, I make sure the cuticle line is clean so that the design can take front and centre,” she explains.
Last year, I traveled more than I have ever before, and I’m trying to manifest that same energy for 2024. I love to travel and find going to new places so exciting. You get to experience what it would be like if you chose to live in a different city for a while, you get to leave your problems at home, and you get to wear all of your favorite wardrobe pieces you’ve been saving for a great vacation. I mean, what’s not to love? The key to great trips, however, is planning well and packing strategically. You want to make sure you’re bringing the right things and are thinking about what you will actually need and use on your trip, not what you might have a last-minute urge to wear.
With all of the traveling I’ve done, I have gotten pretty good at packing smart, but that’s not without help from some travel essentials from Nordstrom and Amazon that I swear by. Since I want to make sure your travels go as smoothly as possible you save yourself from overpacking unnecessary items, I’ve rounded up the travel essentials that have changed the game for me.
Keep scrolling to see the Nordstrom and Amazon travel essentials I swear by.