Via Essie

Via Essie

Nominee and performer Lizzo wore a wood-grained nail art design to the BET Awards, while presenter Yara Shahidi wore a bright yellow mani.

Via Essie

Via Essie

“We went for a monochromatic statement look on tonight’s red carpet, creating a wood grain nail art that mimicked the printed design of Lizzo’s minidress and matching headpiece,” says celebrity manicurist Eri Ishizu. “By using a range of darker nude shades, we were able to create a dimensional wood-like pattern. We started with a stark white base using Essie Blanc, followed by a coat of Less is Aura. Two deep brown hues were then used to create grain-like streaks — Truth or Bare and Seeing Stars. To finish, a shadow effect was achieved by adding Licorice throughout. The end result was a unique, earthy nail art look!”

Via Essie

Via Essie

Get the look:

  1. Start with Here to Stay base coat, followed by one coat of Blanc to create a solid white clean base. Then, add one coat of Less is Aura.
  2. Next, alternating between Truth or Bare and Seeing Stars, add vertical streaks along each nail to add dimension and mimic the design of wood grains.
  3. Lastly, add a few darker lines using Licorice for depth, giving off a shadow effect.
  4. Finish the look with Gel.Setter top coat.
Via Essie

Via Essie

“Yara Shahidi was a vision with her sky-blue rhinestone look,” says celebrity manicurist Tracy Clemens. “We decided to extend this brightness to her nails. Essie Gel Couture Avant-Garment was used to create a bold yellow base and followed with Sweet Supply for added sheen. To pull it all together, Essie rhinestone details were layered on top. This look took on special meaning because it emphasized a larger theme for this evening’s show, paying homage to the late Nipsey Hussle.”

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