If you've spent most of your time binge-watching season two of Euphoria over the past few weeks (ahem, like me), it's impossible not to notice the small details that really make the show. I'm talking particularly about the show's makeup looks, which have boasted both intricate eye-shadow work and simple (yet sharp) winged liner. But I have to draw attention to another subtle gem that's really been catching my eye this season: each character's nail designs, of course.
Season two has been especially loaded with stand-out nail art that makes characters like Maddy and Cassie look even more snatched than before (if that's even possible). And don't think I forgot about Fez's insanely badass grandma, who sported the gold nails of my dreams. Anyway, before I go on too long of a tangent about each look, I have to take a second and credit the incredible Natalie Minerva, the show's nail artist. I couldn't help but pick her brain about the season's hottest nails. "I think my favorite nails were Maddy's caged nails from episode five and Kat's zebra nails from episode seven," Minerva shares. "I love how visually stimulating both of them are, and I am obsessed with making patterns. Cassie's floral ombré nails from episode seven are really fun, too!"
So what does an artist of this caliber always carry in her kit, you ask? "I am typically a gel artist, and I'm absolutely obsessed with Riccagel. It's a top-tier art gel from Japan. However, when I do use nail polish, I prefer Butter London or Deborah Lippman because they're both easy to apply and hyperpigmented." I'm sure you're also dying to know how you can re-create these iconic looks for yourself, so I took the liberty of asking Minerva to break down the steps for us, too. Keep reading below for her step-by-step guide to fabulous, full-on Euphoria nails.
Cassie's Pink Diamond Nails
"For Cassie's diamond nails, all you need is a soft pink shade and some rhinestones in various sizes. I applied two coats of Aprés Nail tinted extend gel in Carla, curing between layers in my gel light. Then I applied the soft builder gel to adhere the diamonds from largest to smallest, from cuticle to tip. Cure that layer, and add a bit more soft builder gel to secure the diamonds without covering them. Cure, and then finally add top gel."
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Maddy's Purple Psychedelic Nails
"For Maddy's psychedelic purple look, I laid two coats of a sheer, milky purple and cured in my gel light between layers. I used Riccagel in 245S. I then applied Aprés Artist Drop Gel, which is a gel that helps you marbleize color, and I added [the color] 4MS in dots and allowed them to spread, giving that psychedelic pattern. Finally, we add top gel and cure! It's really easy, and you don't need precision to achieve the look."
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Kat's Zebra Nails
"For Kat's zebra look, I laid two coats of 1M from Riccagel, which is their solid white color, and cured between layers in my gel light. Then, with a liner brush, I painted squiggled lines with 2M from Riccagel. With zebra print, the less precise you are, it's almost better. It should feel like an organic and natural pattern. After painting my zebra design, I cured that and added a green cuticle cuff at the bottom with a liner brush and finally some top gel."
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More Euphoria Nail Art Essentials
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