Kerry Washington is the latest celebrity to embrace the personalized French manicure trend—and we’re obsessed. For her newly released Bustle cover, the 47-year-old actress dazzled in an array of high-end fashion labels—think Dries Van Noten, Saint Laurent, and Prada. And while she changed in and out of outfits, she rocked one standout manicure for the entire shoot: a chic, modern twist on the classic French manicure, complete with a natural base and metallic gold tips.
Kerry Washington’s Gilded French Manicure
The mastermind behind her manicure was celebrity nail artist Diem Truong, who boasts a star-studded client list including America Ferrera, Kim Kardashian, and Katy Perry, among others. Truong sculpted Washington’s nails into an almond shape and brought the look to life using Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish in Simple Sheer for the base and Gelish Chrome Stix Gold Holographic for the tips. It’s so easy to use and not messy!!” Truong raved on Instagram about the chrome stick used on Washington’s nails. “I love a chrome stick.”
Shop Kerry Washington’s Gilded French Manicure
Celebrities putting their own spin on the traditional French manicure is nothing new; it’s been a big trend in 2024. “The classic French manicure will always be a go-to look for nail lovers, but the popular style continues to evolve with a variety of ways to put a twist on the classic look,” celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec told NewBeauty this past spring. In the weeks and months since, we’ve seen stars and their nail artists get more creative than ever, from Kylie Jenner’s garden-inspired nails to Megan Fox’s double-take-worthy reverse French.
‘That’s far from all, either. We’ve also recently seen Heidi Klum sporting a rainbow French manicure and Joey King rocking a pastel green chrome French manicure. Both looks with this season’s hottest nail trends. Klum’s vibrant colors reflect a growing preference for brighter shades, deviating away from the traditional white-and-sheer-pink French combo. Celebrity manicurist and JINsoon brand founder Jin Soon Choi recommended this exact manicure for summer in an interview with NewBeauty: “Instead of the traditional white tips in a clean French shape, embrace bold colors like purples, greens, yellows, or even a rainbow of shades in ombre, with each finger showcasing a different hue. This colorful twist on a classic look adds a fun and modern flair, perfect for the sunny season.” Meanwhile, King’s chrome nails were named a top trend for festival season last month, making her look perfect for any (and all!) summer activities.
