The Manicure Look I Stole From My Grandma

We see a lot of hair and makeup trends get recycled. We love bringing retro haircuts and vintage makeup looks back to life decades after they first debuted, but we less frequently see old-school manicures make their rounds on social media, so we decided to turn to the original source of these trends—our grandmas. The biggest nail trend our grandmas recall from their heyday is the half moon manicure, and we’re obsessed.

The half moon design is one of the oldest nail art styles, with many dating it back to the 50s and some even suggesting it was also popular in the 20s. The style has long been a standard for burlesque star Dita Von Teese, and you can also see the look on Olivia Wilde in Don’t Worry Darling to add to the film’s retro aesthetic.

Want to try the vintage look for yourself? We found some examples for you to show your manicurist at your next appointment. If you’re feeling crafty, you could even DIY the look at home. Be sure to snap a picture of your mani to send to grandma—it’s sure to bring back memories.

Half Moon Manicure Looks to Try

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Classic red half moon manicure

A majority of the half moon manis we’ve seen have been red—it seems the red nail theory was alive and well in the ‘50s. If you’re keeping it classic, go with a shiny red polish.

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Dark half moon manicure

For a moodier moment, opt for a dark polish shade like this one. This color gives the set a more modern look and makes it perfect for fall and winter.

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Reverse half moon manicure

It’s always fun to flip it and reverse it with a nail trend (hi, reverse French manis), so don’t be afraid to try the inverse of this trend with a reverse half moon manicure look.