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Home · Nails

A-List Nails

Be it classy and demure or wild and wacky, stars always have noteworthy nail style. We tapped New York City manicurist Sae Carter to create hot, celeb-inspired nail art to inspire your own mani-adventures. 

By Aretha M. Busby · January 10, 2014October 27, 2020
01
Celeb Inspiration: Janelle Monae

The Style: Modern, punk, edgy 

Nigel Cox
02
The Nail Art: 3-D, party on every nail

Using black and silver polish as a base. Carter designed a vastly different look for each nail. With artfully placed Swarovski crystals, silver chains, foil and spikes, this is not your mother’s manicure.

Neil Cox
03
Go-to Shade: Black

OPI Nail Lacquer in Black Onyx ($9, ulta.com)

04
Go-to Shade: Silver

OPI Nail Lacquer in Haven’t the Foggiest ($9, ulta.com)

Nigel Cox
05
Celeb Inspiration: Kerry Washington

The Style: Sophisticated and Classic

06
Nail Art: Updated Nudes and Metallics

Carter started with a muted nude-pink polish and added small gold spheres for impact. The end is subtle yet strong—very Olivia Pope.

07
Go-to Shade: Pale Pink

Essie Nail Polish in Topless & Barefoot ($9, essie.com)

Nigel Cox
08
The Celebrity Inspiration: Alicia Keys

The Style: Urban Meets Boho

09
The Nail Art: Gold Chains and Rhinestones

A dark red polish base complements the sexy gold and rhinestone accents. Carter’s influence was the subtle draping of the feminine Indian-inspired head chain Alicia Keys is known for wearing.

Nigel Cox
10
Go-to Shade: Wine

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Ruby Do ($8, drugstores)

Nigel Cox
11
Celebrity Inspiration: Eve

The Syle: Wild and fierce

12
The Nail Art: Gold Animal Print

A trendsetter who always pushes the boundaries of what’s hot, Eve is known for her feline-inspired tattoo. She’s our glam girl who’s untamed at heart. Carter’s unique hand-drawn cheetahlike pattern is amazingly easy to do. For that extra wow factor, she used dark nude, gray and glitter gold polishes.

Nigel Cox
13
Go-to Shade: Shimmering Gold

The New Black Nail Polish in Golden Glitter ($10 for a set of two, sephora.com)

Nigel Cox

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