And the category is... art. 🖼️ Almost a week later, and the Met Gala 2026 is still dominating fashion conversations across TikTok and Instagram, plus every group chat imaginable. While the jaw-dropping gowns delivered their usual spectacle, it was the smaller details that made the looks for this year’s Costume Is Art feel truly unforgettable. Nails, in particular, became a collaboration, extending the storytelling aspect of their visions. From the color choice to the shape of the tips and embellishments, each element elevated an entire outfit. Let’s take a closer look at these trending Met Gala 2026 nail looks that everyone kept reposting and saving for inspiration! 1. Beyoncé Queen B returned to the annual Met Gala after a long hiatus (her last was 2016) in a look that felt sculptural and almost gothic. While her nails stayed mostly hidden in this ensemble inspired by Caroline Durieux’s Visitor art, we thought that the skeletal rhinestone details wrapped around her hands could be recreated with our Nail Art Rhinestone Boxes. Safe to say, the internet practically exploded over her comeback, especially as a co-chair. 2. Nicole Kidman Leaning into timeless elegance, Nicole Kidman paired her Mouline Rouge gown with a soft, fair-medium nude polish similar to our Dip & Dap - D170 Nude Bar. Her artistic use of ruby red is an ode to its dynamic role in fine art through the years, symbolizing vitality, love, and motherhood. Speaking of motherhood, fans also can’t stop talking about her bringing her daughter, Sunday Rose, for the first time, making her attendance feel even more special. 3. Lisa Manoban Lisa delivered one of the coolest fashion concepts of the night with her Robert Wun sculptural 3D arms, serving as a personal homage to her Thai roots. Looking straight out of an editorial, she continued the sparkle down to her nails with sapphire accents, just like our Nail Art Charms - 064. Besides the lifting veil concept that became the talk of the town, she also made history at the event as the first K-pop artist to serve on the official Met Gala Host Committee. 4. Sabrina Carpenter Infamous for her old Hollywood branding, Sabrina Carpenter literally brought cinema to the carpet with film strips detailing the 1954 movie Sabrina. A look can’t be Sabrina’s if it doesn’t feel playful and theatrical. Her black French nails tied everything together, making LB - LB090 Dynamic Black the easiest way to channel the same sharp contrast. Her Landslide performance with Stevie Nicks was one of the biggest highlights of the evening. 5. Kim Kardashian Kim K fully embraced the midcentury era with a curve-hugging silhouette and signature warm-neutral bombshell glam. The centerpiece was a vibrant tangerine fiberglass breastplate from an original mold by Allen Jones. Her light nude manicure keeps the sophistication without competing with the outfit, exactly why Dip & Dap - DD257 Thanks a Latte hues are Kim’s go-to. People on the internet are relating to the BTS clip of her nearly having a wardrobe mishap. 6. Hailey Bieber Modern Wonder Woman? Hailey Bieber is that girl. The 24 Karat x Yves Klein Blue pairing was one of the cleanest beauty looks of the night. Known for her simple yet elegant manicures, she balanced the dramatic colors of her look with a peach-nude polish, proving once again that a barely-there polish like Rosé - R004 Self Portrait can elevate any fashion choice. Her Rhode girls couldn’t decide what was more impressive–the outfit or the impossibly sleek bun hairstyle. 7. Emma Chamberlain Emma Chamberlain wore one of the most praised looks of the evening, blending avant-garde fashion with the artsy edge people have come to expect from her Met appearances. Our Line Art Gel Kit (09 Bumble Bee, 03 Stormy Grey, 19 Playful Purple, 20 Fancy Fuchsia, 05 Perfect Periwinkle, 07 Minty, and more) would fit beautifully with the creative direction of her manicure and mirror the painting feel of her gown. She really put meaning into the Costume Is Art theme. 8. Rihanna Better fashionably late than never, Riri is completely worth the wait. Her deep chrome manicures in silver-brown-black tones emphasized the intricacy of her outfit, making Mirror Chrome Silver and Mirror Chrome MC23 - Brown the best picks for doing the same finish. Between her coordinated appearance with A$AP Rocky and her trending “oyster” inspiration comments, she reminded everyone why she’s still considered the iconic Met Gala royalty. 9. Kendall Jenner Kendall Jenner definitely blurred the lines between an everyday staple and high art with her custom GapStudio gown. Seeing her wearing pinkish nude nail polish like our very own Dip & Dap - DD252 Feminine felt minimalist but incredibly fashion-forward. She shared how the designer, Zac Posen, literally took a t-shirt off his own back in the studio and began draping, twisting, and torching it to mimic the "wet drapery" style of a Hellenistic sculpture. 10. Tyla Describing herself as a “shiny peacock”, South African singer Tyla flaunted her shimmering bodice and peacock blue satin skirt during the Met Gala. This shade of blue also gives aquatic energy, which is very fitting for Tyla’s branding. Inspired by the featured aquamarine nail shade, let’s give a shoutout to Dip & Dap - DD130 Seafoam, a spring and summer-ready polish that will shower you with cool-toned glow and make you dance to Water all day. 11. Jennie Jennie Kim is the ultimate muse of Chanel. The look resembles mermaid chic and a mosaic artwork coming to life through the metallic gray, blue, and silver sequins and shimmering gradients. She continued the siren core by using reflective blue chrome hand and nail details. A chrome powder pen in an icy, pearlescent tone like Candy Aurora - AC08 captures the same shine. Fans loved seeing all four members of BLACKPINK attending this pop culture event. 12. Hunter Schafer The custom off-white and floral Prada gown didn’t just hang on Hunter Schafer; it lived. She took the theme seriously and brought the portrait of Gustav Klimt, Mäda Primavesi, into the 21st-century spotlight. This painting is confirmed to be a part of the museum’s permanent collection. As seen in her photos, she wore a milky white polish (check out Builder in a Bottle - Milky White) that matched the dreamy, delicate look while still keeping it modern and clean. 13. Sza SZA is our sustainability queen of the event with her entire look constructed from over 100 yards of vintage fabrics and materials sourced exclusively from eBay. She was a complete sunshine in her dopamine-boosting sun-yellow gown designed by Emily Adams Bode Aujla of Bode, inspired by 1910s Art Nouveau and butterfly wings. The marble-like detail on her nude nails can be recreated using the dimensional effect of our Marble Ink - MI07 Indus Gold. 14. Kylie Jenner The tension between the polished and the undone is Kylie Jenner’s concept for her Schiaparelli ensemble. She wore a sculptural nude-illusion corset paired with a low-slung, voluminous cream skirt that appeared to be falling off her body. Her nude almond manicure, similar to the shade of DD169 I’m Soy Into You, worked beautifully with the overall styling and theme. She completely owned the night on her own, although some hoped for a Timmy and Kylie appearance. 15. Jisoo Jisoo’s natural poise and sweetness truly shone on the carpet in her soft, feminine pink Dior gown. The moonlight pearl nails she wore shimmered under the lights and felt so romantic. Our Pearl Gel - P09 Happily Ever After makes a luminous effect for the base and is the best partner for glazed or chrome nail sets. We couldn’t get enough of her adorable interviews and the now-viral bathroom selfies with other BLACKPINK members and Hollywood celebrities. 16. Anne Hathaway The booked-and-busy queen of the season, Anne Hathaway, arrived in a look that felt totally worthy of another The Devil Wears Prada fashion montage. The hand-painted black-and-white Michael Kors gown served as a visual for John Keats’ 1819 poem, Ode on a Grecian Urn. With her monochromatic ensemble, opting for a white geometrical nail design was a clever choice. If you want the same pure white nail polish, check out our newest LB - LB001 Chalk White. 17. Doja Cat I was as surprised as you were when Doja Cat chose the more understated route this year with rich brown tones and silicone fabrics. We love a change of style from time to time, and witnessing this more refined side of Doja with the help of Saint Laurent was such a treat. A creamy nude-white manicure balanced the moody neutrals seen on her makeup and outfit. With a shade like LB - LB005 La Crème, you can keep the warmth while looking fresh and ultralight. 18. Eileen Gu A mix of science and beauty? Tech-couture dropped by the Met Gala. Eileen Gu wowed the audience with an adventurous and intelligent twist to fashion with her bubble-inspired gown designed by visionary couturier Iris van Herpen. Hidden beneath were AI-powered systems and fans integrated into the dress to release real, shimmering bubbles. Using our Pearl Gel - P01 Blue Cotton Candy, you can flex identical glazed donut nails that are effortlessly chic. That’s a wrap for our Met Gala 2026 recap! Fashion and beauty are always at their best when they are fearless, collaborative, and a little unexpected. This year’s Met Gala delivered endless inspiration and sparked conversations worldwide. For more trend forecasts and nail inpos inspired by the biggest pop culture moments, keep up with us on Instagram: @igelbeauty, TikTok: @igelbeauty, and our latest blogs. At the Met Gala, every detail, including your nails, becomes part of fashion history. No one remembers the safe looks, always go extra! 💅 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno on May 9, 2026 Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With a diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa shares the latest trends and curates tutorials and tips to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
