Nobody does bold, daring nails like SZA. The singer rocked an eye-catching manicure while performing on Saturday night live earlier this month, and we are obsessed. Performing her brand-new single, “Shirt” and debut album S.O.S which was released last week, you couldn’t help but look at those extravagant nails that she was styling so well.
The manicure consisted of a bejewelled collection of different gems and decorations placed on her nails with a dark blue backdrop. The nails demanded attention and attention is what they got, as the rubies were impossible not to stare at. It got us thinking about how we can glam up and bejewel our nails this Christmas season, to add a little sparkle to our manicures and make them just as eye-catching as SZA’s.
Acrylics
First things first, you’ve got to decide what sort of nail shape and style you are after. Acrylic nails like the ones rocked by SZA are ideal if you’re looking for extravagant designs and lots of jewellery on the nail. Amazon sells amazing acrylic home DIY sets that include all the tools needed to create and design your own acrylic nails. These nail kits give you the freedom to let your creative juices flow and draw inspiration from SZA and other celebs whose nails have caught your eye.
The amazing thing about doing your own acrylic nails is that it gives you the opportunity to learn how the nails are created and you can leisurely come up with designs and ideas at your own pace, while giving yourself a creative platform to explore – and let’s be honest, it’s a lot cheaper!
PolyGel
Poly Gel nail kits are also amazing and affordable alternatives to heading to the salon to recreate extravagant nail looks as they are easily applicable and allow you to be creative with your designs and add features that manicurists may overcharge you for or not be able to offer. By using acrylic and poly gel nails, you can have them longer than your natural nails and therefore you can explore more choices when it comes to the gems you use and how many you can put on.
BIAB
However, if you like a shorter nail shape or want to protect your nails but still want a glamorous SZA-inspired nail look, at-home Biab gel is the way to go. Biab is a builder nail gel and can be used alone or applied alongside gel nails to improve the strength of your natural nail and protect them from the damage artificial nails can cause. Biab is a great way to create the glossy look you get when you have gels or acrylic, so if your nails are already at a length you would want them at, biab is the way to go. You can still bejewel your nails when using biab as the nail itself will be strong enough thanks to the buildable gel to withstand the gems on top. Sold at ASOS, the Mylee 5-in-1 Builder Gel is one of the most thought-after builder gel products and luckily won’t break the bank. Biab can be used with gel and acrylic if you wish so it is a handy little product to try out this winter when experimenting at home with your nail techniques and designs.
ASOS Mylee 5 in 1 Builder Gel
Gems
Regardless of what nail base you use, the main product needed for these show-stopping nails is gems. Amazon is going to become your best friend when it comes to getting supplies for these nail designs, as it has an infinite number of affordable gems and decorations that you can apply to your nails.
Using acrylic or poly gel nails is the best format if you are looking for long extravagant nails that you’ll be able to do lots of nail art on and include multiple diamonds or decorations. But biab and natural nail lengths can still mirror the looks inspired by SZA’s nails by using nail pens such as the Empire Nail Collection Art pens or smaller diamonds to help recreate looks such as SZA’s this winter.
Words By: Sophia-Fai Roche
Header Image: Courtesy of SNL
