Each year, style enthusiasts wait with bated breath for their favorite celebrities to arrive at the annual Met Gala. While the highly publicized event raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, it's most notorious for daring beauty looks and over-the-top fashion moments. This year, nail aficionados were in for an early treat: We already knew what supermodel Gigi Hadid's manicure will look like, thanks to celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri.
The model debuted a play on the timeless French manicure while she ascended the Met steps, with twists to reference the evening's "Garden of Time" dress code, honoring the upcoming exhibit "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion."
First, Kawajiri says she started with a thin coat of nude gel on Hadid's nails. This, she explains, "keeps the French manicure a bit more fresh and sheer."
In interviews with Marie Claire, makeup experts anticipated 3D florals would appear all over the "Garden of Time" red carpet. Hadid's manicure proves those predictions correct. Her look also pays homage to the evening's garden theme with hand-sculpted, 3D yellow flowers along her nails. These "add a playful touch to a classic style," Kawajiri says.
All in all, the expert concludes the look suits Hadid's personality and fashion preferences to a T. "This mix of playful and classic is just like Gigi," she says. "We wanted the nail looks to be a continuation of her Met Gala look." The pair delivered: Working with longtime stylist Mimi Cuttrell, the final outfit by Thom Browne featured gorgeous 3D yellow roses that matched her manicure perfectly.
Channeling Hadid's remixed classic manicure isn't as out-of-reach as it may seem. Kawajiri used Nailboo’s $10 gel manicure products for the entire look. Each polish has an "essential" no-wipe top coat—guaranteeing Hadid's precisely painted nails don't smudge. In the nail artist's experience, Nailboo ensures there's "one less step when you are backstage or on-set." And for everyone else, there's one less step when you're aiming for Met Gala-worthy nails at home.
