While there was plenty of outstanding nail art on the Oscars red carpet (thank you Lalisa Manobal for your moody aura manicure and Cynthia Erivo for an impressive, Oz-themed set), it's clear that the A-listers are leaning into the freshness of spring with ballerina pink tones.
If the Grammy's delivered expressive manicures and the BAFTA's embraced rich, opulent hues, pink, specifically the millennial and ballet-core kind, proved to be a winning colour at last night's Oscars ceremony.
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From Ariana Grande's surreal Schiaparelli gown complete with an homage to Glinda's shoe in the back and Mikey Madison's fifties-inspired Dior ensemble to Monica Barbaro's pale pink Dior number and the rosy dresses spotted at the after-parties on Sydney Sweeney and Iris Apatow, the appetite for pink is at an all time high.
The pink renaissance carried through to the fingertips, as ballerina nails reigned supreme on the red carpet. Grande continues to channel her Glinda energy through classic French tips on a baby pink base by manicurist @nailanatomy . It's a look that she's been wearing regularly in the past year, as it no doubt complements the softer colour palette that Grande's currently embracing.
Elsewhere, Madison's nails mirrored her ensemble with a clean, pastel pink manicure while Selena Gomez updated her soap nails with coral pink undertones created by her long-time collaborator, manicurist Tom Bachik.
'We kept Selena’s natural nails an elegant medium length and perfected her classic almond shape. Sel and I worked together to create a custom nail shade for tonight—a peachy pink golden iridescent sparkle to play off the gems and texture in her beautiful gown,' Bachik shared on Instagram, name-checking CND Shellac in Rule Breaker underneath CND Shellac in Silk Thread.
Meanwhile, Barbaro embraced blush tones with a glowing, translucent finish created by nail artist Emi Kudo. It feels natural, yet with an elevated polish that feels right for a black tie evening. 'We chose light shimmer natural pink by using @apresnailofficial in Spring Sigh and Winter Aurora to match her gorgeous custom @dior 💖,' Kudo wrote on her social media.
The trend continued throughout the evening, as at the Vanity Fair after-party, manicurist Zola Ganzorigt gave Sydney Sweeney shell-pink tips to match her shimmery Miu Miu number.
Given the versatility of pink and how it complements every make-up look, it's easy to see why celebrities are clamouring for the hue. 'They create the perfect balance between softness and sophistication, always polished but never too overdone or clashing,' says manicurist Iram Shelton, who always has soft pink tones in her kit. 'Plus, they make hands look consistently elegant and put-together without drawing the attention away from the rest of the outfit.'
There's also a practical reason behind the popularity of nude nails and natural pink shades. 'They are incredibly flattering on camera, giving a fresh, youthful appearance, which is key when every detail is being photographed on a red carpet!' says Shelton.
How To Recreate Ballerina Nails At Home
Unsure of what to get for your next nail appointment? It's safe to say that the ballet pink manicure is timeless and refined, as proven by the stars. If you fancy something a little extra, take inspiration from Lupita Nyong'o and Keke Palmer, who embellished their nails with pearls and diamantés (on a chrome base, no less) respectively.
If you prefer a DIY home manicure, prep by gently filing your nails into the desired shape and neaten up the cuticles. An easy way to do this is by using a cuticle softener on the base of your nails before pushing back the cuticles with an orange stick. Trim any excess cuticles with a designated trimmer if needed.
ELLE Edit: The Best Ballerina Pink Nail Polish
Use a lint-free wipe dipped in acetone to clean the nail plate and ensure there's no dust before applying a thin layer of base coat. Follow with your nail polish and a top coat to seal it all in. 'For that sheer, milky effect, apply two to three thin coats of your chosen pink shade, letting each layer properly dry in between,' says Shelton, who suggests using a cuticle oil daily and re-applying the topcoat every few days for a more lasting manicure.
Shelton is a big fan of Hermès Rose Coquille ('the perfect shade for minimalists'), Essie Gel Couture in Sheer Fantasy and the modern icon that is OPI Bubble Bath.
To find your perfect natural pink, Shelton recommends considering your undertones. According to her, pink-beiges and creamy peaches such as the aforementioned Bubble Bath will enliven medium complexions while olive and tanned skin generally suits sheer nudes with a hint of peach or caramel such as Chanel Le Vernis Ballerina. Deeper complexions can try warmer sheer pinks or soft beige-browns such as Dior Nude Look.
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Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
