CND™ had the opportunity to partner with some great celebrity names at this year’s MET Gala! Manicures are the cherry on top of any well-crafted look, and the stars at the 2024 Met Gala understood the assignment. “The Garden of Time,” a short story by J.G. Ballard, served as the theme on the red carpet.

Below, a closer look and step-by-steps on the looks.

Betina Goldstein for Lily James

INSPIRATION: “We wanted to complement Lily’s classic floral gown with a nail look that’s both tonal and ethereal. We went with CND™ PLEXIGEL Color Builder in Soft Blush as an overlay to her natural medium length, almond-shaped nails to give her nails a pop of jelly pink,” states celebrity nail artist Betina Goldstein.

LOOK BREAKDOWN

1. Begin with P.R.E.P.

2. Apply a layer of CND™ PLEXIGEL Bonder and cure in the CND™ LED Lamp using preset button 1.

3. Apply a layer CND™ PLEXIGEL Color Builder in Soft Blush to strengthen natural medium length almond-shaped nails. Cure using button 2B and clean with 99% IPA.

4. Shape and refine the nail using a 180-grit file & buffer, and clean with 99% IPA.

5. Seal with a layer of CND™ PLEXIGEL Protector Top Coat and cure using button 3.

6. Moisturise with CND™ SOLAROIL™ to condition nails and cuticles. 

Tom Bachik for Jennifer Lopez

INSPIRATION: “Inspired by a butterfly transforming in a shimmery chrysalis, we encased Jennifer’s nails in a translucent pearl cocoon. We used CND™ Pre-Shaped Coffin Tips refined to a medium length almond shape, topped with CND™ SHELLAC™ in Flowerbed Folly mixed with CND™ SHELLAC™ Original Top Coat, softening it to a semi-sheer shade, and topped with CND Over the Top Effects™ in Pearl Obsession for a high-sheened gloss effect to match her makeup,” states celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik.

LOOK BREAKDOWN

1. Begin with P.R.E.P.

2. Apply a layer of CND™ PLEXIGEL Bonder on both the natural nail and the inside of CND™ Pre-Shaped Coffin Tips and cure in the CND™ LED Lamp using preset button 1.

3. Apply a layer of CND™ PLEXIGEL Shaper to the inside of the nail tip and press down onto the nail. Cure using preset button 1.

4. Shape and refine the nail using a 180-grit file & buffer, and clean with 99% IPA.

5. Mix a 1:1 ratio of CND™ SHELLAC™ in Flowerbed Folly with CND™ SHELLAC™ Original Top Coat to create a semi-sheer shade and apply one layer to the base of the nail bed, leaving the tips completely clear. Cure layer using button 2S.

6. Apply a layer of CND™ SHELLAC™ No-Wipe+ Top Coat all over the nail and cure.

7. Quickly follow with CND Over the Top Effects™ in Pearl Obsession all over the nail to create a high-sheened gloss effect.

8. Moisturise with CND™ SOLAROIL™ to condition nails and cuticles.

Betina Goldstein for Omar Apollo

INSPIRATION: “We wanted the nails to be an extension of Omar’s look. His suit features metal pieces and we wanted it to look like some of the pieces fell onto his nails, keeping most of his nails clear and glossy using CND™ SHELLAC™ and using CND™ PLEXIGEL Builder to adhere the metallic pieces to his nails,” states celebrity nail artist Betina Goldstein.

LOOK BREAKDOWN

1. Begin with P.E.P. 

2. Apply a layer of CND™ SHELLAC™ Original Base Coat and cure in the CND™ LED Lamp using preset button 1.

3. Seal with a layer of CND™ SHELLAC™ No-Wipe+ Top Coat and cure using button 3.

4. Using CND™ PLEXIGEL Builder, secure silver metallic studs to thumb and pointer fingers. Cure using button 2B.

5. Moisturise with CND™ SOLAROIL™ to condition nails and cuticles

Thuy Nguyen for Kaia Gerber

INSPIRATION: “For tonight’s MET Gala, Kaia is accompanying her beautiful Prada dress with exquisite pink diamonds from Tiffany & Co. I wanted to complement her nails with a color that would bring cohesiveness to her look, which CND™ Romantique was perfect for,” states celebrity nail artist Thuy Nguyen.

LOOK BREAKDOWN

1. Begin with P.R.E.P. 

2. Apply a layer of CND™ PLEXIGEL Bonder and cure in the CND™ LED Lamp using preset button 1.

3. Using CND™ Future Forms with CND™ PLEXIGEL Color Builder in Soft Blush for the base and Porcelain for the free edge, build nail length, shape, and architecture to a medium length almond-shaped nail. Cure each layer using button 2B and clean with 99% IPA.

4. Shape and refine the nail using a 180-grit file & buffer, and clean with 99% IPA.

5. Apply two layers of CND™ SHELLAC™ in Romantique. Cure each layer using button 2S.

6. Seal with a layer of CND™ SHELLAC™ No-Wipe+ Top Coat and cure using button 3.

7. Moisturize hands with CND™ SCENTSATIONS™ Hand & Body Lotion in Mango & Coconut to deliver essential moisture to the skin.

8. Finish with CND™ SOLAROIL™ to condition nails and cuticles

• #HowTo
• #Inspo
• #Nails