Forget Pinterest—the Met Gala Red Carpet Is My New Source of Nail Inspo
I need not remind you that yesterday was the first Monday of May, when the megastars of the world congregated on New York City’s Upper East Side to attend the annual Met Gala. The 2025 theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, shone a spotlight on Black dandyism and drew out fashion industry nobility for a night of pinstriped suits, glitzy after party looks, and boundless beauty inspiration. But the one detail I kept zooming in on all night? The manicures on this superfinely tailored bunch—and boy, did they not disappoint.
While some nails took a backseat to the stellar beauty looks the stars were delivering (surprise French bobs! Doechii’s Louis Vuitton face stamp! So many celebs in kiss curls!), others made striking statements. From Lizzo’s showstopping tuxedo daggers and Doja Cat’s gold chrome stiletto tips for to Hailey Bieber’s understated fairy dust nails, the stars certainly fed my fresh nail addiction last night.
With the creativity flowing so freely, I had no choice but to clog up my camera roll with inspo pics. Below, the best celebrity manicures looks of the night, and the products you can shop to achieve your own iteration.
Hailey Bieber’s Fairy Dust Mani
Practically the nail equivalent of Sabrina Carpenter’s fairy dust holiday makeup, Hailey Bieber’s understated Met Gala manicure is going straight onto my summer mani mood board. Celebrity manicurist Dawn Sterling mixed OPI gel polishes to get her look, but you can replicate it by layering Funny Bunny and Put It In Neutral before sealing it with a top coat.
OPI
Nail Lacquer in Funny Bunny
OPI
Opi Nail Lacquer in Put It in Neutral
Suki Waterhouse’s Sheer Nude Nails
I’m dreaming about “OMG” songstress’ milky tan tips, which she achieved thanks to Kiss’ Bare but Better press-ons in Nude Drama. “Always chic and extremely busy, Suki wanted perfectly natural looking nails to complement her all black Michael Kors look for the Met Gala, but also offering the ability to match her numerous appearances with her hectic NY schedule,” celebrity manicurist Casey Herman said in a press release.
Kiss
Kiss Bare But Better Trunude Nail Shades
Victoria Ceretti’s Licorice French Tips
Who What Wear’s senior beauty editor Jamie Schneider called the dark tip trend a while ago, but model Victoria Ceretti just made it Met Gala-official. This subtly edgy set is a moody deviation from the classic French, and I can’t wait to recreate it during my next salon sesh.
Doechii’s Milky Square Mani
Alert the authorities: square-shaped nails are officially back, per the Swamp Princess. Celebrity manicurist Rachel Sun painted Doechii a soapy white canvas for her wide, C-curved tips, which complemented her patchwork-patterned Louis Vuitton ensemble.
