The Met Gala is known for its statement-making glam, and this year’s red carpet was no exception. But with so many gorgeous hair and makeup looks, it can be easy to overlook other stunning details, such as nail art.
This year’s “Garden of Time” theme delivered endless manicure inspo, courtesy of the celebs (and their nail artists) who translated the concept onto nails. There were florals, like the 3D roses that Gigi Hadid used to decorate her classic French mani, as well as newer takes on springtime shades, like Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s bedazzled baby blues.
The most unexpected trends of the night, though, were clear polish and crystal detailing. Jennifer Lopez, Lil Nas X, and Tyla showed off different interpretations of the look, all of which were equally stunning.
Scroll through the night’s best looks for some serious inspiration ahead of your next mani.
Emma Chamberlain’s Mannequin Mani
Emma Chamberlain wore an ultra-long, hand-lengthening “mannequin manicure” in a nude color (Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri in Taupe Priority, ICYWW). It perfectly matched her skin tone, but if you look closely, you’ll notice the seemingly simple mani was decorated with bits of black lace.
Jennifer Lopez’s Crystal-Clear Tips
“Barely there and crystallized” was the theme for Jennifer Lopez’s dress and manicure at this year’s Met Gala.
Tyla’s Water Droplet Nails
Tyla’s outfit was inspired by “the sands of time” — an ancient way of using an hourglass to measure time — from her textured gown to her sand-colored nails, which featured water droplets hanging from chains on each tip.
Zendaya’s Cherry Mocha Tips
Lil Nas X’s Sparkling Extensions
Leave it to Lil Nas X to make a statement with every inch of his Met Gala look. He showed off extra-long nail extensions adorned with intricate bedazzled accents. It was one of multiple crystal-clear manis on the carpet, so there’s a good chance you’ll see more of the trend soon.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Bedazzled Baby Blues
Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s look was all about moody blues. She painted her square tips in a shade that toed the line between “pastel” and “bright,” placing her somewhere in the middle of the blueberry milk and cobalt manis that have been popular lately. Also on trend? The 3D crystal details on every nail.
Gigi Hadid’s 3D Floral Adornments
This year’s event was the perfect place to show off springy 3D florals. Gigi Hadid embraced the opportunity, accessorizing a classic French mani with some eye-catching yellow roses, which were inspired by the flowers on her gown.
Cardi B’s Oversized Emerald Nails
If you’ve ever struggled to properly size your press-ons to your nail beds, you might want to send Cardi B a thank you ahead of your next application. The rapper’s graphic green-and-nude mani was painted onto extensions that were intentionally wider than her natural nails.
Keke Palmer’s Golden Tips
Keke Palmer was gold-encrusted from head to toe. She matched the crystal adornments on her face to 3D details at the tips of her stiletto-shaped nails.
Teyana Taylor’s Red Roses
Teyana Taylor also opted for 3D florals, trading a classic red mani for rose adornments that matched the embellishments on her dress.
Cynthia Erivo’s Wicked Tips
