The stars were out to celebrate the best in film at the 96th Academy Awards.
This year's ceremony had several key highlights, with "Oppenheimer" taking home seven awards out of the 13 it was nominated for, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. Ryan Gosling also performed "I'm Just Ken" from the Barbie soundtrack, while Billie Eilish and FINNEAS won Best Original Song for "What Was I Made For?" also from the Barbie soundtrack.
A big night like this calls for plenty of defining looks, from the dress to the nails. Here, we share our favorite looks from the night and recap some trends we saw sported at the event.
Cat Eye
While sparkle season is typically saved for the winter, we are happy to celebrate it any time of year. The perfect way to add some shimmer to your client's nails? Cat Eye!
Multiple stars sported cat eye nails at the Academy Awards, including Anya Taylor Joy and Camilla Cabello.
Nail artist Kim Truong (@kimkimnails) created a simple shimmery silver cat eye for Anya to match her layered petalled dress from Dior. Manicurist Tom Bachik (@tombachik) took a different approach for Camila Cabello's manicure, creating sculpted seashells on top of a cat eye look.
You can follow his tutorial Bachik shared to his Instagram to recreate the look.
- Start with a meticulous manicure, using Tom Bachik x Tweezerman tools.
- Apply Aprés Nail Gel-X Clear Tips in Natural Coffin.
- Apply two coats of Madam Glam Cat Eye gel, then one layer of iridescent shimmer. Apply another coat of cat-eye gel.
- Then, apply non-wipe top coat gel.
- Next, use Kokoist's Boba Gel and sculpt into shape.
- Finish with non-wipe gel top coat to the Boba gel.
Nude Nails
Sometimes a simple, minimalist nail look is the perfect way to compliment an elegant gown or dress. Plenty of stars sported minimalist manis in nude or light pink shades at the Academy Awards.
Eri Ishizu (@eriishizu) created a nude mani for Issa Rae to pair with her shimmery black gown using The GelBottle's Lux Nude N30. Zola Ganzorigt (@nailsbyzola) created a glazed ombre nail look for Vanessa Hudgens, who debuted her baby bump for the first time on the red carpet, as she hosted Academy Awards pre-show alongside Julianne Hough. This was an elegant and classy take on a minimalist manicure.
Follow the tutorial below to create the look.
- Apply one coat of GelColor Stay Strong Base Coat.
- Apply two coats of GelColor in Bare My Soul.
- To create an ombre tip, apply one coat of GelColor in Alpine Snow and one coat of GelColor in Funny Bunny.
- Rub OPI Chrome Effects in Tin Man Can onto the nails.
- Apply one coat of GelColor Stay Shiny Top Coat.
Glam Nails
On the other hand, it's always fun to go glam! Stars like Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Danielle Brooks sported bedazzled nail looks with rhinestones and crystals.
Sarah Nguyen (@chrmdbysarah) created Best Supporting Actress Winner's Da'Vine Joy Randolph's nail look, with a shimmery red base and bedazzled with rhinestones and teal stones. Temeka Jackson (@customtnails1) created Danielle Brooks' almond crystal glam nails.
Follow the tutorial below to recreate the look.
- Prep all the nails with a dry or hot towel manicure.
- Pre-size the nails, making sure each nail fits sidewall to sidewall.
- Wipe the nail clean with alcohol prep.
- Apply pH bonder to all the nails.
- Apply one coat of extend gel to natural nails. Cure 30 seconds in a LED alpha lamp.
- Scrub non-acidic tip primer on each nail underside, allowing it to get tacky.
- Apply extend gel underside at a 45 degree angle, flush from the cuticle and cure 5-10 seconds. Fully cure all the nails for 30 seconds.
- Cut, shape and buff the nails.
- Apply base gel.
- Apply one coat of Spring Sigh.
- To create the Swarovski French nail, apply one coat of color. Here, Jackson used New Year Wishes mixed with loose silver glitter. Cure 30 seconds in a LED lamp.
- Apply one coat of non-wipe glossy top gelcoat. Cure 30 seconds.
- Now, you can bling out the nail.
- Finish with non-wipe glossy top gelcoat around tip and edge of the nails. Do not apply on the crystals. Cure 30 seconds in lamp.
