The best nail polishes, according to celebrities
When it comes to statement-making manicures, celebrities sure know how to nail it.
After all, who could forget Megan Fox and MGK wearing their hearts (and chains) on their matching digits, Cardi B coating her claws in diamonds or Hailey Bieber’s glowy “glazed donut” nails?
And the “Bloody Valentine” rocker’s not the only Hollywood man getting in on the nail art fun as of late, with stars like A$AP Rocky and Harry Styles rocking rainbow-hued designs on the red carpet.
But while a handful of stars — including the former One Direction member — have their own nail polish lines, celebrities’ hands aren’t always decked out in formulas they designed by hand.
Keep reading to polish up on some of stars’ favorite lacquers and nail looks — and to shop the same shades.
Hailey Bieber’s “glazed donut” nails
Hailey Bieber’s “glazed donut nails” found sweet success on TikTok, inspiring even fellow celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens to try the trend. While the supermodel’s original iridescent mani is perhaps her most famous, she’s since updated the delicious-sounding design with brown (aka “chocolate”) polish and red “candy cane glazed” tips.
Want a taste of the trend? LA-based nail artist Zola Ganzorigt, who first gave Bieber the shimmering style for the 2022 Met Gala, previously told Page Six Style that it’s “really simple but catches everyone’s eye.”
While the OPI products she used are sold for salon use only, you can still shop Bieber-approved shades like Funny Bunny ($12) and add shimmer with styles like the brand’s Kyoto Pearl ($13) mixed with its Top Coat ($12), as Ganzorigt recommended to USA Today.
For a similar look using powder, there’s also Amazon offerings like the top-rated SUNUV UV LED Nail Lamp ($22, originally $49) and Charming May Pearl Powder ($11).
OPI Kyoto Pearl ($13)
A royal-approved pink
While there’s a rainbow of polishes on the market, one just might be the gold standard for royals: Essie’s Ballet Slippers ($10). Kate Middleton reportedly loves the shade — a fitting choice, given its reputation as Queen Elizabeth’s favorite.
Per the brand’s website, the late royal’s hairdresser once even sent Essie a letter calling Ballet Slippers the “only color” she would wear.
Essie Ballet Slippers ($10)
A “Friends” star’s favorite
As for the shades sported by Hollywood royalty? Jennifer Aniston’s also a fan of Essie’s Ballet Slippers, although she prefers Mademoiselle ($9, originally $10), once telling People, “I like to stick to a buffed look, but if I am going to wear nail polish, it’ll be a soft pink color like this.”
Essie Mademoiselle ($9, originally $10)
Harry Styles’ bright blue
Forget “Watermelon Sugar” — this Harry Styles-loved color is named for a different sweet treat. Before launching his own Pleasing nail polish line, the star’s go-to colors included Essie’s Mint Candy Apple.
“We are both obsessed with this one particular mint green [polish] at the moment,” nail artist Jenny Longworth told Popsugar of her work with the star.
Lizzo’s spring-ready shade
Flowers for spring? They just might be groundbreaking if they come in the form of bright orange nail art. Lizzo hit the red carpet at the 2023 Grammys with a 3D manicure from her longtime nail artist Eri Ishizu, which included this bright orange OPI shade.
Kim Kardashian’s standout shades
Just as Kim Kardashian’s Skims offerings (and even her employees’ uniforms) are filled with neutrals, the star often sticks to subdued shades for her nails. (Her reported favorite is a no-longer-sold sandy shade from Essie, similar to the brand’s Mindful Meditation.)
She’s also mixed it up with neon nail looks on several occasions over the years, including rocking this bright green shade during a beach getaway.
Orly Glowstick ($10)
Lady Gaga’s red carpet-ready red
Looking for a berry good dark red instead? Lady Gaga’s partial to Essie’s Berry Naughty, which she matched to a bold lip at the 2020 SAG Awards.
Essie Berry Naughty (from $8)
Beyoncé’s blinged-out Super Bowl nails
At the 2016 Super Bowl, Beyoncé matched her leather look to this dark hue from OPI — which she topped off with gold studs and the brand’s Matte Top Coat ($12).
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