Here's How Cardi B Does a Holiday Manicure
All I want for Christmas? More Cardi nail inspo.
Year after year, we learn just how many ways there are to go about a holiday manicure. Some tinsel-inspired shine? A simple red and green color scheme? Sweater texture? The list goes on. But now, we know the most iconic way to tackle your seasonal glam: Take a cue from Cardi B with long, razor-sharp, rhinestone acrylics.
On Sunday, December 10, the 31-year-old appeared in Mesa, Arizona to headline TikTok's inaugural live event "In the Mix." Wearing an entirely red ensemble, the Grammy winner got straight to the point with a razor-sharp crimson manicure. While simple in theory (there's just one color going on here), the intense stiletto shape and length of her nails stole the show. It may be the holiday season, but it's Cardi's world.
To complete the monochrome look, the "Bodak Yellow" rapper wore a red ombré lip and red fringed bodysuit reminiscent of Selena Quintanilla. (Remember when she called herself the "trap Selena" in Migos' 2018 song "Motorsport?" We love a throwback.) Her key makeup artist, Erika La’ Pearl, used Pat McGrath Labs products to create the look, including a warm brown Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil in the shade "Brownouveaux" and blue-red Mattetrance™ Lipstick in "Elson."
"West coast it’s been real …..Thank you TikTok for having me …Thank you to my team and thank you to my fans …y’all owe me nothing," wrote Cardi in an Instagram post showing off the look. Sticking to the theme, her caption included an array of red heart emojis.
While she chose a different color palette for her outfit and makeup, Cardi also showed off her manicure while out and about in Los Angeles on Friday, premiering a bowl-shaped pixie cut. Another beauty choice that seems to be sticking around? Thin '90s eyebrows, which the Grammy winner first showed off while walking in Balenciaga's fashion show at the beginning of December.
All I want for Christmas? More Cardi content, please.
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Sophia Vilensky is a Freelance Beauty Writer at Marie Claire with a beauty, wellness, and entertainment journalism portfolio that includes contributions to Byrdie, Bravo, Teen Vogue, and Us Weekly. Growing up in a family of beauticians—and through her own personal studies—she developed an in-depth understanding of aesthetics, cosmetic product formulation, and beauty treatment development and has also held roles as a senior copywriter, content strategist, and proofreader for top beauty and wellness brands. Even so, you'd be hard pressed to find her with her hair and makeup actually done. Sophia is based in Minneapolis and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she majored in English and minored in cinema studies. During her time at the university, she was the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Minnesota Daily, earning the 2019 Editor of the Year award for her work. She connected deeply with the Twin Cities arts scene, collaborating with leading beauty professionals, designers, and artists. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, her thesis—a close-reading of Vanderpump Rules—was featured on NPR. When not immersed in writing or testing new products, Sophia enjoys watching reality TV, reading, and exploring the newest woo-woo wellness trends. Keep up with her on Instagram @sophiavilensky.
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