While it's true that butter yellow and soapy pink shades continue to dominate the spring trends, if you're yearning for a change or just don't love milky pastels, Sarah Jessica Parker's liquorice manicure is the rebellious alternative to consider.
Now, don't get us wrong, many of the trending spring nail colours are timeless and versatile options in and of themselves but black nails, like red, truly never go out of style. Even if they don't place among the list of 2025 nail trends, a coat of glossy black is, in our opinion, the manicure equivalent of having a little black dress in your wardrobe and never fails to feel sophisticated. In this, we might share some common ground with Sarah Jessica Parker, who rejected this season's array of lilacs and pinks in favour of a rich, liquorice hue.
So if you're looking to retire pastel and sheer nail polishes, here's why SJP's manicure - and chic choice of nail shape - might be the answer.
The rich and rebellious mani Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing this spring
Stepping out for the opening night of "Smash" on Broadway on April 10th, Sarah Jessica Parker embodied sophistication in a black lace dress, black pointed-toe stilettos and a long tailored coat. To complete the monochromatic look, Parker also opted for a short, square glossy black manicure, which, unsurprisingly, caught the eyes of our nail-obsessed beauty team.
So far this year, we've spotted a trend of milky pinks and nude nails appearing on the red carpet, more so in the lead-up to spring. Our own April nails were also a sea of subtle pastel hues, but SJP's nails pose as a reminder that, no matter the season, a dark nail colour will always look elevated and afford a sense of timelessness, much like red or burgundy. Plus, when everyone else is wearing a pastel variation on their nails, there's something to be said for breaking the mould and opting for a slightly unexpected shade instead.
A black manicure feels high-fashion, and if anyone knows a thing or two about fashion, it's Sarah Jessica Parker. That said, we can understand reservations about wearing this bold and sultry hue, but as Parker proves, it can look very chic for an event and is so versatile. Like your favourite black jeans or top, a black manicure goes with everything, and if, like Parker, you opt for a short square nail shape, that will also offset the darkness of the shade, offering a touch more subtlety and modernity.
Recreate Sarah Jessica Parker's black manicure
RRP: £10.99
This essie nail polish is the perfect option for recreating Sarah Jessica Parker's manicure at home, as it offers impressive coverage and a gel-like shine.
RRP: £14.90
Another great pick is OPI's Lady In Black nail polish, with its inky black shade and shine.
RRP: £29
If your collection does not yet boast a Chanel nail polish, this chic black shade is a must-have - for a classic and high-fashion manicure.
If you're keen to create SJP's rebellious manicure, we recommend opting for a similarly short and squared-off nail shape. This style has been very popular as of late and affords a modern feel to your manicure. And as mentioned, if you're feeling a tad intimidated by the idea of wearing such a dark nail colour, a short nail shape can help to offset the moody hue and make it feel less bold.
For those doing their nails at home, we would suggest applying a base coat, preferably a hybrid best nail strengthener like OPI's Nail Envy or Start To Finish polish. Then apply two to three coats of your chosen black nail polish.
For an extra mirror-like shine, apply a clear top coat like essie's Gel Couture top coat or the NAILKIND Mr Volume plumping gloss - which is a favourite of Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi Jamieson's.
