The highly anticipated 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards marked the beginning of the 2025 award season with a dazzling display of fashion, beauty, and manicure mastery that rivaled some of the most iconic moments in Hollywood history. Amidst the glamour, there were certainly standout nail looks that stole the show, leaving fans clamoring for a closer look.
Fear not, as we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide an in-depth analysis of the most memorable manicures, allowing you to seamlessly add these red carpet stunners to your own personal style inspiration board.
Rounded French
Tom Bachik’s nail design for Selena Gomez at the Golden Globes was a masterclass in understated elegance, featuring rounded French tips that perfectly captured the essence of soft girl chic.
Sheer Pink
Zendaya’s iconic nail art for her engagement announcement featured a sleek, rose-petal hue that exuded femininity and glamour. Whether you’re preparing to make the same commitment or simply dreaming of the day, having nails as stunning as hers would surely be the perfect accompaniment.
Classic Red
Heidi Klum’s iconic red manicure was an unbridled declaration of confidence. Paired with her striking sea-green gown, it was as if she was saying, ‘Notice me, take another look!’ The boldness of the color isn’t just a statement – it’s a potent display of self-assurance.
Shimmery Neutrals
In her latest appearance, Cara Delevingne’s nail art perfectly embodies the essence of understated elegance. Her almond-shaped design, paired with a subtle shimmer effect, creates a look that is both refined and radiant. The absence of bold statements or over-the-top embellishments allows the beauty to speak for itself, reminding us that sometimes less can be more.
Black Mani
Acting as a perfect accompaniment to her overall ensemble, Zoe Saldana opted for understated yet chic nail styling by choosing short, square shapes with a sleek jet-black polish finish. This simplicity is reminiscent of the principle that sometimes the most effective accessories are those that don’t compete for attention, allowing the wearer’s natural beauty and style to take center stage.
Mix & Match
Cynthia Erivo’s Golden Globes manicure was a masterclass in creative expression, with bold nail art designs that defied convention. The 3D, multicolored accents were an explosion of color and whimsy, featuring pink, green, blue, and opal hues that seemed to dance across her nails. It was as if the essence of Wicked had been distilled onto her fingertips, conjuring up images of a magical world where anything is possible.
Abstract Metallics
The standout beauty moment from Ayo Edebiri’s look was undoubtedly her striking metallic abstract nails. What made them truly special was the distinct design on each finger, showcasing the power of restraint in nail art – sometimes less can be just as impactful, but when done right, more really is more.
Gold Cuticle Accents
Jennifer Coolidge’s manicure was a masterclass in understated elegance, featuring delicate gold chrome accents that added a touch of sophistication without overpowering her overall aesthetic. The effect was one of effortless glamour, as if she had simply woken up looking like a million bucks.
Cat Eye Tips
The eye-catching quintet of Quinta Brunson’s hair showcased gleaming gold chrome tips that radiated sharpness and vibrancy. The cat-eye design lent an extra layer of depth, daring anyone who dared to try and rival her sparkling locks to fail.
Milky Mani
Naomi Watts’ manicure perfectly embodies the art of understated elegance. Her square-shaped neutral nails exude a sense of simplicity and sophistication, serving as a reminder that sometimes less is indeed more when it comes to nail design. For fans of minimalist styles, this look provides the ultimate inspiration for their next mani day. In fact, fashion enthusiasts would do well to screenshot these looks now, as they’re sure to serve as a mood board for future nail art endeavors.
The result is a timeless and polished aesthetic that’s both easy to replicate and infinitely chic.