The 2023 Met Gala was a night to remember, with celebrities and fashion icons coming together to honor the legacy of Karl Lagerfeld. From red carpet looks to after-party ensembles, there were plenty of stunning fashion moments that made the night unforgettable. A-List celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Miranda Kerr and Kerry Washington took to the Met steps dripping in diamonds, pearls and CND™ manicures. If you're looking for ways to recreate these amazing looks at home, we've got you covered! Here's how you can get the Met Gala 2023 look...

Kim Kardashian’s CND™ PLEXIGEL™ Met Gala Manicure

“Kim was a vision dripping in opalescent jewels. Due to the intricate detailing of Kim’s look, we wanted her nails to be the embodiment of subtle glamour. To achieve this, we chose CND™’s Powder My Nose for a nude shade of pink that would elongate and extend her fingers. Kim wanted to bring drama to her nails by adding extra length, which we achieved using CND™ PLEXIGEL™. The nails were filed into a dramatic almond shape in a much longer length than she normally wears. The final touch was a high-gloss top coat that added extra shine.”– celebrity nail artist, Kim Truong (@kimkimnails)

Kim’s Look Breakdown:

1. Begin with CND™ 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™ Builder build desired nail length, shape and architecture. Cure using button 2B.
4. Shape and refine the nail with a 180-grit file and buffer, and clean with 99% IPA.
5. Apply three layers of CND™ Shellac™ in Powder by Nose, curing in-between using button 2S.
6. Seal with a layer of CND™ Shellac™ No-Wipe+ Top Coat and cure using button 3.
7. Moisturise with CND™ Solar Oil™ to condition nails and cuticles.

Miranda Kerr’s Sparkling Camelia Nails at The Met Gala by CND™

“Mirandas’ Dior look for this year’s MET gala is very timeless and elegant. Her dress has shimmering detailing that sparkles. I wanted to give her a classic manicure by choosing CND™ Shellac™ in Negligee — a creamy pink color with a subtle iridescence— to mimic the glimmer in her dress. Miranda also wanted to pay homage to this year’s Met Gala theme Karl Lagerfeld by incorporating the iconic Chanel Camellia flower on her nails, which is synonymous with the brand.”– Kim Truong (@kimkimnails)

Miranda’s Look Breakdown:

1. Begin with CND™ P.E.P.
2. Apply one thin layer of CND™ Shellac™ Original Base Coat and cure for 10 seconds in the CND™ LED Lamp using preset button 1.
3. Apply two layers of CND™ Shellac™ Negligee and cure in-between each layer using preset button 2S.
4. Using a detailed liner brush and CND™ Shellac™ in Studio White, create a camellia flower, leaving negative space between the petals. Cure with preset button 2S.
5. Apply a layer of CND™ Shellac™ Original Top Coat and cure using preset button 3.
6. Remove the top film with 99% IPA and finish with CND™ Solar Oil™.

Kerry Washington’s CND™ PLEXIGEL™ Manicure at The Met Gala

“Kerry’s Michael Kors look is an all-black glimmering lacy two-piece mermaid gown accented with pearl accessories. Kerry wanted to incorporate some of those pearl elements in her nails to pull the look together. And what better to do this by creating cascading chains of pearls on her nails resembling those worn by Coco Chanel herself. CND™ PLEXIGEL™ in Spiced Taffy was the perfect elegant warm nude base color to compliment Kerry’s skin tone,”–celebrity nail artist, Kim Truong (@kimkimnails).

Kerry’s Look Breakdown:

1. Begin with CND™ 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 and CND™ PLEXIGEL™ Colour Builder in Spiced Taffy, build desired nail length, shape and architecture. Cure using button 2B.
4. Shape and refine the nail using a 180-grit file and buffer, and clean with 99% IPA.
5. Apply a layer of CND™ PLEXIGEL™ Protector Top Coat and cure using button 3.
6. Using CND PLEXIGEL™ Builder, secure chains of pearls diagonally across middle and ring fingers crossing over one another to create a delicate loop design and cure using button 2B.
7. Moisturise with CND™ Solar Oil™ to condition nails and cuticles.

Emily Blunt’s chic Chanel-inspired Manicure from The Met Gala

“The lace and sequin details of Emily’s look called for a strong crisp nail, we chose CND’s Black Pool to balance the softness of the lace and brought our vision together perfectly, plus the little touch of Chanel charms with micro pearls to complete the look,”–celebrity nail artist, Julie Kandalec (@julieknailsnyc).

Emily’s Look Breakdown:

1. Begin with CND™ P.E.P.
2. Apply one thin layer of CND™ Shellac™ Original Base Coat and cure for 10 seconds in the CND™ LED Lamp using preset button 1.
3. Apply two layers of CND™ Shellac™ Black Pool and cure in-between each layer using preset button 2S.
4. Apply a layer of CND™ Shellac™ No-Wipe+ Top Coat and cure using button 3.
5. Using CND™ Shellac™ No-Wipe+ Top Coat secure a small Chanel logo charm to the centre of the ring fingers and cure using button 2B.
6. Finish with CND™ Solar Oil™ to condition nails and cuticles.

Viola Davis’s Pearlescent Nails at The Met Gala by CND™

“Viola’s nails are a pearlescent chrome on top of CND™’s Winter Glow light pink. Since Viola’s gown is a vibrant pink with matching bright feathers, she wanted her nails to incorporate a pink/rose element. CND™ Over the Top Effects chrome powder in Off the Chain allowed us to achieve that subtle wow moment without contrasting her outfit. The pink luster of the chrome reacts to the body’s movements and subtly shifts in the light.”– celebrity nail artist, Kim Truong (@kimkimnails)

Viola’s Look Breakdown:

1. Begin with CND™ P.E.P
2. Apply one thin layer of CND™ Shellac™ Original Base Coat and cure for 10 seconds in the CND™ LED Lamp using preset button 1.
3. Apply one layer of CND™ Shellac™ Winter Glow and cure using preset button 2S.
4. Apply a layer of CND™ Shellac™ No Wipe+ Top Coat and cure using preset button 3.
5. Using a sponge applicator brush CND™ Over the Top Effects in Off the Chain evenly to the surface of the nails.
6. Apply a layer of CND™ Shellac™ No Wipe+ Top Coat to seal the effect and cure using preset button 3.
7. Apply a drop of CND™ Solar Oil™ to condition the nails and cuticles.

Products used:

CND™ LED lamp
CND™ PLEXIGEL™ Bonder
CND™ Future Forms
CND™ PLEXIGEL™ Builder
CND™ Shellac™ in Powder by Nose
CND™ Shellac™ No-Wipe Top Coat
CND™ Shellac™ Original Base Coat
CND™ Shellac™ Negligee
CND™ Shellac™ in Studio White
CND™ Shellac™ Original Top Coat
CND™ PLEXIGEL™ Colour Builder in Spiced Taffy
CND™ PLEXIGEL™ Protector Top Coat
CND™ Shellac™ Black Pool
CND™ Shellac™ Winter Glow
CND™ Over the Top Effects
IPA
CND™Solar Oil™

If you recreate and of these Met Gala looks, please take pictures & tag us on Instagram! @sweetsquared.nails 

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