Kerry Washington's Polka Dot Cat Eye Manicure Is Winter's Best Nail Look
Two major trends in one.
Kerry Washington is just as in tune with today's biggest nail trends as you are. That would explain why she took two of the most popular trends of the season and combined them into one elegant manicure.
The Scandal actor attended the grand opening of the Pomellato Store in Beverly Hills this week, where she wore a black midi dress with broad shoulders and a plunging neckline. She wore warm-toned eye makeup and a hint of peachy color and gloss on her lips while her hair was pulled back into a messy low ponytail with two loose tendrils hanging on either side of her face. But the real drama was happening on her nails. If you look closely at photos from the event, you can see that Washington is wearing an almond-shaped manicure with a neutral base that's embellished with dark polka dots and a velvety cat eye finish.
Kerry Washington wears a polka dot manicure to a store opening in Beverly Hills.
If you can recall, polka dots made a huge comeback in the fashion world last summer, popping up in some of the most popular designer collections during fall 2025. It wasn't long after that the retro design inevitably swung over into the beauty world and became a highly-requested design for nail enthusiasts all summer. Dua Lipa co-signed the trend by combining it with a black French manicure while vacationing in the Mediterranean, while Sabrina Carpenter was spotted wearing a manicure that featured a glossy, nude base with white polka dots and rhinestone accents shortly thereafter. Even Hailey Bieber took a break from her typical glazed donut manicure look to wear a "lemon drop martini" manicure featuring a lemon yellow base color underneath silver polka dots and rhinestones.
The polka dot nail trend took off last summer, but it's a design that's appropriate to wear year round, since it's easy to customize with rich and bold nail colors, depending on your mood and the look you're going for. It's also a really easy look to create on your own at home if you want to give yourself a fun manicure without having to break the bank at a nail salon.
To get the look, read ahead to shop everything you'll need.
Achieve the dotted look in minutes with a set of easy-to-apply press-on nails.
If the DIY method is what you prefer, start off by adding some length to your nails with gel extensions.
You can create a polka dot design on your nails with something that's already in your house, like a toothpick or a bobby pin, but for ease and consistency, invest in a dotting tool. This one is just $5.
Polka dots will look good on top of any color, but a nude base serves as the perfect canvas.
Finish with a top coat that'll make your nails look extra glossy and prevent chipping.
