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There was a lot going on at the 2025 MTV VMAs. From the extra-special music performances (hi, Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae) to the countless beauty moments on the red carpet (crimped waves, anyone?), it was hard to focus on any one thing. Still, we’d implore you to try — at least when it comes to each celebrity’s nails, because the manicures this year were very, very good.
The nail trend we predominantly saw on the red carpet was the French manicure. However, this isn’t just any old French tip — these sets packed a major twist. Some stars, like Carpenter, went for over-the-top designs that were accessories in their own right. Her manicure took inspiration from another nostalgic beauty trend: ’90s gem nails. Meanwhile, people like Ariana Grande and Latto went with classic takes to allow the rest of their beauty look to really shine.
All of the French manicures, no matter the style, are worth zooming in on. Keep reading to see the best celebrity nails at the 2025 MTV VMAs.
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Latto’s Deep French Manicure
Latto paired her mermaid-style crimped waves with soft, pink glam and a deep French manicure on almond-shaped tips.
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Sabrina Carpenter’s Jeweled French Manicure
Sabrina Carpenter’s bejeweled French manicure was created by celebrity manicurist Zola Ganzorigt using OPI products.
“It was inspired by her ‘Tears’ music video nails,” say Ganzorigt in a press release. “We recreated the nails but with a red base color for it to match her red carpet and performance outfits.”
Ganzorigt used OPI GelColor in “Bare My Soul” (salon only) for the base of the nail and OPI GelColor in “Malaga Wine” ($12) for the red tip before applying rhinestones.
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KATSEYE’s Unique French Manicures
Celebrity nail artist Naomi Yasuda created the manicures for KATSEYE for the VMAs, with three of the members wearing iterations of the French tip.
“My goal was to create a bold and glamorous nail look for the KATSEYE members for their VMA performance. Since they have several outfit changes, I chose to use black (OPI Black Onyx ($12)) and crystals for the nails. This simple color palette ensures the nails will match every outfit. I always try to make sure each girl’s nails fit her personal style while keeping the whole group’s look similar. A classic black manicure is always a chic and stylish choice. I added a lot of crystals so the nails would sparkle and catch the light on stage and on the red carpet.”
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Rose’s American French Manicure
Rose’s minimalist, “naked” nails featured a sheer nail polish that allowed for the white part of her fingernail underneath to show through, creating a natural French tip.
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Jessica Harrington (she/her) is the section lead of Popsugar Beauty, where she oversees coverage around makeup, skin care, hair, tattoos, and more. With more than nine years of industry experience, she has interviewed countless celebrities, reported on hundreds of beauty trends, and swatched more lipsticks than she can count. Prior to PS, Jessica worked for publications such as Makeup.com, Skincare.com, and The Zoe Report.
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