Few could forget Rita Ora’s nails at last year’s Met Gala. It was a manicure that was trending on twitter for days after the event. And for good reason too. Around a foot long (seriously) the chain-laden, bejewelled nail art became one of the biggest beauty hits of the iconic event. This year? Well, it would appear that celebrities have taken inspiration from Ora’s set in a bid to express their allegiance to the theme – ‘Garden of Time’ and ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.’ Forget gel nails, acrylic nails or spring nails. The hottest manicure to have this year is in 3D. Yes, 3D nails took over the green carpet and we're betting that multi-dimensional nail art will be a hot request in nail salons this summer.
Billowing gowns, floral flushes and fairy-tale worthy hair were the order of the day, but the creativity didn’t stop there. Stars took to the green carpet sporting manicures that makes your go-to French appear seriously basic. 3D adornments were the manicure must have. An array of celebs opting for intricate, textural nail design that oozed all of the signature Met Gala opulence we've come to expect. Thought to originate from South Korea and Japan as part of the Harajuka fashion movement, three-dimensional nail art is having its moment in the spotlight - it's a type of manicure that sees nail artists add 3D objects to the nail. These 3D designs can be created from layering-up gel polish, but may also make use of other adornments - like dried flowers or shards of sea-shells.
'As textured nails become more and more popular, we’re seeing a lot of variation in how people use things like 3D gel to create looks on the nail,' explains Madeline Lallaway, Nail Artist at Shoreditch Nails. 'The 3D blob look was really trending in 2023, but now, in 2024, we now see a lot of shapes and characters created in 3D too!'
Scroll on for our favourites.
Sabrina Carpenter
IT girl Sabrina proves that Blueberry Milk nails are still very much her thing - if her Met Gala mani is anything to go by, that is. Created by celebrity favourite @nailsbyzola, the pale periwinkle base with silver diamonds make for the perfect spring nail inspiration.
Tyla
Created by the celebrated manicurist Coca Michelle (she's a Forbes 30 under 30, just FYI) Tyla’s nail and dress combination has been screenshotted the world over. Dainty, draping chains teamed with a subtle, nude base make up what Michelle calls the 'perfect faceted crystal mani.' Dreamy.
Gigi Hadid
Renowned Japanese nail artist Mei Kawajiri (who also counts Dua Lipa as a fan) was behind the supermodel's 3D manicure which nodded to the whimsical, floral adornments on her dress. A classic, French manicure with a floral twist.
Cynthia Erivo
The Wicked actress is well known for her penchant for 3D nails - but this could be her most intricate set yet. Encapsulated petals, leaves, and flecks of gold make for a look that's just about as magical as the theme would suggest. Lashings of diamonds make for the perfect finish.
Keke Palmer
These sculptural, stiletto shaped acrylic extensions look to have been created by a lesser known nail artist - @_tinascorner - and we predict she's set to blow up. The perfect milky pink base teamed with glitter and nail diamonds galore compliments Keke's gown beautifully. We'd expect nothing less.
Teyana Taylor
When it comes to Teyana Taylor, the masses are guaranteed more is more. Her Met Gala mani? No exception. Her opulent red velvet gown was set off beautifully with nails adorned by red and silver crystals.
Lil Nas X
A moment for the beauty boys, too. Lil Nas X proved that he's all about the glamour with his perspex nail extensions topped with glittering crystals and sparkles. 'Literally obsessed with these nails,' wrote one fan on Instagram.
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Junior Beauty Editor. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism.