
Many celebrities have been spotted rocking gel nails on the red carpet. Celebrities like Cardi B, Lana Condor, Winnie Harlow, Awkwafina, and Lady Gaga have all sported gel manicures, often opting for bold and bright nail art looks. Gel nail polishes have a longer-lasting, harder, and shinier finish compared to traditional nail polishes due to the curing process under a UV or LED lamp. This makes them a popular choice for celebrities who want long-lasting manicures without chipping or lifting. Some celebrities, like Janelle Monáe, Elle Fanning, Candice Swanepoel, and Ashley Graham, have also been known to use Gel-X nail extensions, which provide a natural look and feel while lengthening the nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Celebrities who use gel nails | Kylie Jenner, J.Lo, Selena Gomez, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Jhene Aiko, Christina Aguilera, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Kid Cudi, Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, Justine Skye, Dua Lipa |
| The earliest use of nail polish | The Chinese are credited with inventing nail polish around 3000 BC. |
| First nail salon | In 1878, Mary E. Cobb opened the first-ever nail salon, "Mrs. Pray's Manicure." |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Celebrities who use gel nails include Kylie Jenner, J.Lo, Selena Gomez, and Cardi B
- Male celebrities who wear nail polish include Kid Cudi, Lil Nas X, and Post Malone
- Coca Michelle is a celebrity manicurist who has worked with Megan Thee Stallion
- Manicurist Mei Kawajiri has worked with Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, and Dua Lipa
- Celebrity nail artist Chaun P. Legend created a minimal pink manicure for Kylie Jenner

Celebrities who use gel nails include Kylie Jenner, J.Lo, Selena Gomez, and Cardi B
Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez were both spotted with 2025's trendiest nail look: soap nails. Created by celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik, soap nails give the impression of having just come from a spa day. For Gomez's soap nails, Bachik used Apres gel in the shade Spring Sigh, a soft, pale pink that matched any winter outfit.
J.Lo, also a client of Bachik's, is known for pushing the boundaries of beauty when it comes to her nails. One of her most notable manicures was the Butterfly Kisses look, featuring black 2000s-style butterflies on opalescent nails, adorned with dozens of Swarovski stones.
Cardi B is a manicure legend, often tapping nail artist Jenny Bui for her most iconic looks. For the Met Gala, she surprised with a minimalist manicure, but she's also known for more over-the-top styles, like her dramatic red manicure using OPI GelColor in Candied Kingdom, or her opera-length gloves with gold nails adorned with sparkles, pearls, and hoops.
Gel Chrome Nails: DIY Guide for Beginners
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$7.99

Male celebrities who wear nail polish include Kid Cudi, Lil Nas X, and Post Malone
Kid Cudi, the rapper best known for his song "Man on the Moon," has been very open about his decision to wear nail polish and push the boundaries of traditional masculinity. In July 2021, Cudi received criticism from his followers for posting a photo on Instagram in which he was showing off his painted fingernails. In response, Cudi disabled the comments on his Instagram post and tweeted, "Seems people really have a problem w me painting my nails." He also urged those who took issue with his nail polish to stop buying his albums and attending his shows. Despite the backlash, Cudi stands by his decision, stating that he wants to "be a disruptor" and give confidence to kids to be themselves.
Lil Nas X, the artist behind the hit song "Old Town Road," made headlines for his fashion choice at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards. He sported white nail polish that perfectly matched his white-on-white suit. This unexpected nail color choice for the fall season was predicted to be one of the standout trends by nail expert Jin Soon Choi.
Post Malone, the successful rapper known for his unique style, has also been photographed with black nail polish. Malone, who has face tattoos and often sports hair jewelry, embraces his quirky image, and his fans have grown to love him for it.
These male celebrities challenge traditional gender norms and express their individuality by wearing nail polish. They inspire their fans to embrace their true selves and encourage a more inclusive definition of masculinity.
Gel Nails in Hospitals: What's the Policy?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Coca Michelle is a celebrity manicurist who has worked with Megan Thee Stallion
Michelle Nguyen, known professionally as Coca Michelle, is a celebrity manicurist who has worked with Megan Thee Stallion. Coca Michelle is based in Los Angeles and has over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is known for her intricate and
Michelle has created a range of artistic manicures for Megan Thee Stallion, including a deep sea manicure, claw-like designs for the "WAP" music video, and gold appliqué body part nails. She also shared a carousel of some of Megan's recent manicures to her Instagram, including a sheer purple lipstick-shaped manicure with shining gold chrome tips, gold jewels, and a little hoop hanging from one nail. Another design featured 10 clocks, one on each finger, in shades of light green, black, cream, turquoise, and red. Michelle has also created manicures for Megan that include a Super Nintendo World-themed set in pastel hues with 3D stars, mushrooms, and hearts, as well as a classic French manicure with white tips.
In addition to her work with Megan Thee Stallion, Coca Michelle has also worked with other celebrities such as Cardi B, Rosalia, Jhené Aiko, Summer Walker, Teyana Taylor, and Kehlani. She has been featured in several publications, including Vogue, Allure, Glamour, and Yahoo!, and was included in the 2023 Forbes 30 under 30 list.
Gel Nails and Polish: Can You Combine Them?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Manicurist Mei Kawajiri has worked with Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, and Dua Lipa
Celebrity manicurist Mei Kawajiri is a native of Kyoto, Japan, and has been pushing the boundaries of nail art since 2006. Kawajiri's interest in nail art began when she stumbled upon a nail book in a bookstore as a teenager. Initially aspiring to be a tattoo artist, she decided to pursue nail art as a means of always having art on her body. At the age of 19, she attended nail school and soon after began working at a nail salon in Tokyo. At the age of 23, she opened her own nail salon in the fashionable Harajuku neighbourhood of Tokyo, called FOXXY.
In 2012, Kawajiri moved to New York, where her intricate nail designs quickly gained popularity. Fashion designer Marc Jacobs is one of her notable fans, often showcasing his well-manicured nails by Kawajiri on her Instagram feed. Kawajiri has also created nail art for celebrities such as Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Dua Lipa, Alexa Demie, ASAP Ferg, and Ariana Grande. Her designs have graced the runways, with 21 individual creations for Marc Jacobs' Spring-Summer 2020 Fashion Week show.
Kawajiri's unique approach to nail art challenges the notion that nails need to be understated to be elegant. Her maximalist style embraces bold, colourful, and messy prints, reflecting the post-pandemic world's desire for uplifting and transitional fashion. Kawajiri's talent and innovation have elevated the perception of nail art, proving that it can be just as expressive and artistic as any other form of body art.
Through her work, Kawajiri has demonstrated that nails can be a powerful canvas for self-expression and a means to showcase one's personality and style. Her success has not only attracted high-profile clients but has also inspired a broader audience to view nail art as an accessible way to incorporate art into their daily lives. Kawajiri's impact on the nail art industry is undeniable, leaving a lasting impression on both the fashion world and the individuals who seek to make a statement through their nail designs.
Gel Polish on Natural Nails: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Celebrity nail artist Chaun P. Legend created a minimal pink manicure for Kylie Jenner
Jenner is known for her bold and ever-changing nail art, often created by Legend, who has also partnered with Hornitos Tequila. Legend's top tips for opening a can of their Crack a Seltzer, Not a Nail beverage include using the side finger, a nail file, or the "buddy" system.
As for the manicure itself, Legend's go-to gels are hybrid brush-on polishes, which pull ingredients from both polish and gel formulas, making them true hybrids. These polishes tend to incorporate an increased amount of solvents to help them break down faster than traditional soak-offs. Legend's manicures also often feature bold colours and neon shades, as well as colourful swirls, marble designs, and animal prints.
Gel nail products are made of acrylics, a special family of monomers and/or oligomers and/or polymers used to create nail enhancement products. These include UV gel nails and acrylic (liquid-and-powder) nails. Gels contain photoinitiators that react to light wavelengths of 340 to 380 nanometers, and they are cured under a UV or LED lamp.
Gel Nails: Curing Time and Aftercare for Best Results
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Male celebrities who have been in the news for wearing nail polish include Kid Cudi, Lil Nas X, Post Malone, Lil Yachty, and Tyler, among others.
Female celebrities who are known for their gel nails include Kylie Jenner, J.Lo, Selena Gomez, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Christina Aguilera, Gigi Hadid, and Bella Hadid, among others.
Some popular gel nail designs among celebrities include minimal manicures with rhinestones, colorful plaid prints, super kawaii 3D nails, and French manicures with a twist.











































