The iconic “old money” beige nails that have dominated the minimalist aesthetic are being challenged by a new edgy, bold look sweeping Hollywood. Hailey Bieber, Dua Lipa, and Billie Eilish are trading in classic nude and beige tones for bold black-tipped manicures, injecting a little rebellion into a once-tame trend. Black tips are the new style choice for style trendsetters looking to extend their aesthetic more into the dark, edgier side of life.
Initially emerging on the red carpet, and later spread on the red carpet and across social media, the nail art touches a much bigger trend – one of greater fashion. For it balances beauty with details inspired by the grungy look that’s far more elegant now. For instance, a light beige manicure, for example, speaks to the unassuming luxury attached to everything old money seems to conjure up – all the gloss of age but without wrinkles. Black on the tips, however, gives off another statement that reads bold- unexpected yet simply classic-and with a pinch of grit.
Hailey Bieber has been one of the leading figures, often sporting the black-tipped look in her Instagram feeds. This new aesthetic style is an understated version of nail art, contrasting high-gloss black with the rest of the nails. As experts note, this is an appropriate transformation of the larger aesthetic principle that Bieber balances glamor with coolness. In addition to Bieber, Dua Lipa has also brought into the popular fashion her more bohemian style and usage of black-tipped nails to really make it pop in popular culture.
The appeal of black tips may lie in their versatility: they can be molded into any nail shape, square to almond, and be a chic alternative to full-black or high-color looks that sometimes feel overwhelming. “It’s the best of both worlds,” says celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri. “You have the simplicity of a neutral nail with just the right amount of contrast to stand out.”
As those black tips rise, then, it might also speak to a larger shift in style in Hollywood toward elements of individuality and edge-away from a focus on all clean and restrained looks. Beige nails aren’t going anywhere, but at the same time, while all that might be said the black-tipped trend argues an “old money” is expanding its borders, drawing in just a little rule-breaking to its otherwise sharp image.
Whether this trend will finally dethrone beige nails for good remains to be seen, but for now, the black-tip manicure is definitely making its mark as Hollywood’s newest obsession-one that captures elegance with a touch of daring style.
