French Manicures With a Twist Ruled the Met Gala
:upscale()/2024/05/07/696/n/1922153/dc4e826c663a4c044bd079.95071903_.jpg)
The Met Gala is back for another year of fundraising and festivities, and some of our favorite celebrities have been bringing the heat nonstop tonight. The 2024 theme is "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" with a dress code of "The Garden of Time." Standout moments of the night have brought us everything from '90s-inspired skinny or barely-there eyebrows, floral hair accessories, and lots of body glitter, but our favorite trend has to be the many different twists on the classic french manicure.
The nail look, first popularized in the early '00s, has seen such a resurgence in recent years that it practically deserves its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It has become synonymous with formal red carpet events thanks to its versatility, but that same aspect also makes it a perfect manicure for day-to-day wear. Just tonight alone, the trend has been spotted on Cardi B, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Gigi Hadid, and more. Even better? No two looks are the same, proving once again how adaptable the trend can be.
There are still a few looks coming down the white carpet, but in the meantime, see some of the best french manicures of the night so far. Between Doja Cat's claw-like set and Hadid's 3D floral accents, you'll have nail inspiration to pull from for years to come.
:upscale()/2024/05/07/688/n/1922153/76d5b9044e921d09_GettyImages-2151863746.jpg)
Lil Nas X's Crystal Nails at the Met Gala 2024
Lil Nas X always shows off the best manicures at the Met Gala and this year was no different. The rapper wore a crystal set with a silver abstract french detailing along the tip by celebrity manicurist Temeka Jackson using OPI products.
"We took inspiration from his subtle yet impactful look, embellished with over 50,000 Swarovski crystals," Jackson says in a press release. "Embodying the OPI shade he wore, Go Big or Go Chrome, this dynamic and sophisticated manicure echoed his style seamlessly."
:upscale()/2024/05/07/690/n/1922153/a273a1f028f8f190_GettyImages-2151809720.jpg)
Gigi Hadid's Floral Nails at the Met Gala 2024
Gigi Hadid's nails featured a classic white french tip paired with a nude base color. To jazz up the design, celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri added 3D floral accents to a few of her fingers, mirroring the details in the model's gown. She used Nailboo products to create the set.
"The hand-sculpted 3D yellow flowers add a playful touch to a classic style," Kawajiri says in a press release. "We wanted the nail looks to be a continuation of her Met Gala look designed by Thom Browne."
:upscale()/2024/05/07/688/n/1922153/6f57cbdb868ce47e_GettyImages-2151840892.jpg)
Cynthia Erivo's Earthy, Gold Foil Nails at the Met Gala 2024
Cynthia Erivo's manicure contained two different designs with the pinky, index, and thumb decorated with a gold foil french tip. Celebrity manicurist Rose Hackle created the earthy, garden-inspired set using OPI products and extra-long stiletto-shaped tips.
:upscale()/2024/05/07/688/n/1922153/bdb4c747453fb799_GettyImages-2151822524.jpg)
Cardi B's Green Slanted Tip Nails at the Met Gala 2024
Cardi B worked with her long-time nail artist, celebrity manicurist Coca Michelle, to create her Met Gala set. The duo used OPI products to create a slanted french tip in a green polish that perfectly matched the rapper's jewelry.
"I went with a simple design to give the color and structure of the nail a moment and an elevated look of a thorn on a rose stem," says Michelle in a press release. "I was inspired by taking a classic V french and waking it up with a bold color and a unique shape that took over 20 hours to sculpt."
:upscale()/2024/05/07/688/n/1922153/25c1ec91e1513d49_GettyImages-2151252856.jpg)
Doja Cat's Dripping Nails at the Met Gala 2024
Doja Cat's entire Met Gala look appeared to be dripping wet, including her manicure by celebrity nail artist Saccia Livingston. She used Aprés Nail Gel-X Sculpted Square Long Tips for the base and a sculpting gel to create the dripping effect on top of the french tip.
:upscale()/2024/05/07/688/n/1922153/4c102bf8765663b9_GettyImages-2151243486.jpg)
Greta Lee's Frosted Nails at the Met Gala 2024
Greta Lee's frosted aura nails with a clear french tip looked otherworldly. Celebrity manicurist Naomi Yasuda created the set using Aprés Nail products to match her structural, 3D gown.
— Additional reporting by Jessica Harrington
Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.
Ariel Baker is the assistant editor for PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.