Sabrina Carpenter Gives Polka Dot Nails a Chic Winter Update

a paparazzi photo of a white woman with blonde hair waving to a crowd of people on the street — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sabrina Carpenter is here to remind you that polka dot nails aren't just a summer manicure trend. In case you forgot, the Man's Best Friend singer spent a big chunk of the summer wearing the retro, dotted design on her nails. She wore a neutral manicure with white polka dots in the "Manchild" music video, and then wore the same design with rhinestones a few weeks later to celebrate the song going platinum. Now, in a moment that seems pretty full circle, she's returned to the polka dot manicure, and this time, she's added yet another small twist.

Carpenter is currently in Los Angeles, where she's set to perform the remaining four out of six consecutive shows in the city to conclude her "Short 'n Sweet" tour. Her manicurist, Zola Ganzorigt, shared a backstage photo of the singer to her Instagram Story on Nov. 18, revealing that Carpenter's nail design of choice for the next few shows is none other than polka dots. In the photo, she's seen wearing short, oval-shaped nails with a milky white base with small, black dots on top.

a photo of a white woman with blonde hair wearing a silver and gold, sequined minidress with matching sequined boots with a heart-shaped cutout. she is squatting and holding a mug that says "los angeles, california" next to a red lip print — Sabrina Carpenter photographed backstage at the "Short n' Sweet" tour.

Polka dots made a huge comeback over the summer, for both fashion and beauty, so it was only natural for the throwback design to become a major nail trend as well. In recent months, everyone from Dua Lipa to Kylie Jenner to Simone Biles was seen wearing polka dots on their nails, and their popularity is likely due to the fact that they're really easy to customize with different colors and bases. "Play with color dots if you want a look that pops and feels a bit bolder," celebrity manicurist, Natalie Minerva, previously told MC.

To copy Sabrina Carpenter's polka dot look, read ahead to shop a few essentials.

Mani Muse QikTips Press On-Nails

Spotted Past Midnight

If you want to give yourself a fun design in a pinch, pop on a set of press-on nails.

Manucurist

Dotting Tool

If you prefer to DIY it, make sure you have a dotting tool on hand.

OPI

Crisp White

Choose a creamy white color as your base.

ILNP

Ink

Once your base is dry, add as many dots of your intense black as you want.

Le Mini Macaron

Le Sweet Top Coat

Add a top coat to ensure you'll have a glossy, chip-free finish.

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Danielle Jackson is the senior beauty writer at Marie Claire. She has nearly a decade of experience covering beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment and was previously the senior beauty editor at Women's Health, where she thoughtfully covered topics related to skincare, haircare, aesthetics, and wellness. Before that, she spent three years as an assistant beauty editor at PS, and in the years since, her work has appeared in titles like Vogue, InStyle, Glamour, and more. Danielle graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in English, and has lived in Brooklyn for almost ten years. When she's not writing, you can find her reading romance novels and talking about sunscreen. You can find her on Instagram @danielleknecole.