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When Taylor Swift launches a new era, she’s doing more than just dropping music. She’s inviting us to revel in the latest world she’s dreamt up. With her engagement to Travis Kelce and the upcoming release of her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, on October 3, fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate. Sequins, rhinestones, and that dazzling aqua-orange palette are practically begging to be worn, danced in, and yes, painted right onto our nails.
For me, half the joy of a new Taylor era comes from finding ways to weave it into everyday life. Nail art becomes more than just polish—it’s a wink to fellow Swifties, a way to feel connected to the larger fan base even if I’m just typing away at my desk. “When you mix the artistry of nails with the devotion of fans, it creates a wearable tribute, something personal, expressive, and instantly recognizable,” says New York City- and New Jersey-based nail artist Erica De Los Santos.
“Taylor inspires trends no matter what she does, and nails are no exception,” says Bana Jarjour, a Los Angeles-based celebrity manicurist. And Swift’s Showgirl era is already making its way into salons.
So what manicure should you get to celebrate TLOAS’s impending drop? De Los Santos recommends any look inspired by sequin-covered costumes, sparkling jewelry, and dramatic spotlights. Vibrant oranges, milky mints, bright blues, and muted peaches from the album cover mingle well with golds and silvers, high-shine gloss, glitter, ombré, and aura fades. “The overall vibe is extravagant, luxurious, and unapologetically eye-catching,” De Los Santos says.
Julie Kandalec, New York City-based celebrity manicurist, educator, and Kiss Nails ambassador, says the trend doesn’t have to include the album colorways: Fans can embrace bold 3D accents, including “gems and feathers (à la stage headdresses), stars, and reflective finishes like metallic and chrome.”
Obviously, the most devoted Taylor mega-fans are booking appointments to get TLOAS nails ahead of the album’s release date, but the experts we spoke to say the aesthetic is also affecting nail art trends in general. That’s likely because the colors lend themselves to other rising fall manicure trends, like crystals and mixed metals. “Whether it’s adding an element of diamond lining to a French or creating something more intricate across the whole manicure, I have no doubt the influence of the Showgirl aesthetic will be seen,” Jarjour says.
As with any trend, experimentation is all part of the fun. “Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and play around,” adds De Los Santos. “Even if that means choosing glitter over a solid color or dark purple over a neutral. There are so many colors and texture combinations that come with the trend. There is something for everyone.”
The Life of a Showgirl nail inspiration
Ready to channel Taylor’s new era at your next mani appointment? Ahead, you’ll find inspo all over the spectrum, from subtle aura fades and gemstone accents to full-on, rhinestone-dripping Frenches.
Ombré and auras
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Courtesy of @melanated.mani
For a mani that subtly nods to Taylor’s newest era, ombré fades and aura designs are the perfect entry point. Both have been trending across the nail world at large, popping up everywhere from red carpets to TikTok, which makes them an easy way to channel Swift without going full-on costumey. “Ombré blends are perfect for capturing the dreamy mix of her oranges and blues,” says De Los Santos.
“Aura nails also work beautifully to reflect the soft, glowing feel of her album art,” Jarjour says, adding that creating it yourself is easy: “Apply your darker color, then use a small piece of a non-latex sponge to apply the lighter color toward the center. And you can use so many combos. Blend shades like OPI’s I’m Yacht Leaving (a soft blue) and Silicon Valley Girl (a vivid orange) for a look that feels instantly tied to the era.”
A seamless ombré at home is doable with the right technique. As Los Angeles nail artist and OPI global brand ambassador Natalie Minerva explains, “My favorite trick is to use a piece of tape to take off any lint that might be on the sponge to ensure the smoothest application possible. Start with your darker polish, then use the sponge to lightly apply a lighter color about halfway down the nail.”
If you’re short on time or patience, Jarjour recommends Dashing Diva’s Glaze Semi-Cured Gel Art in H2Omg, which requires LED curing, or KISS Fake Nails in Fine ‘N Cool for easy at-home application.
High shine
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Courtesy of @melanated.mani
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If you want nails that demand just as much attention as Swift’s stage presence, go for a look that sparkles, shimmers, and shines. Eye-catching metallic, glitter, high-gloss, and chrome finishes, as well as rhinestone accents, mimic Swift’s famous bejeweled bodysuits and make your manicure feel glamorous. “You can layer glitter over any base color or add chrome powder to create a high-shine finish, then top it off with rhinestones for extra dimension,” says Jarjour.
If you’re struggling to get your rhinestones to stay put, follow Minerva’s method: Start with a thick, clear drop of builder gel like the Aprés Soft Gel Builder in a Bottle as a base, press the stones into the dot, and cure them in place, then carefully add more gel around the edges without covering the top. Finish with a topcoat, like OPI GelColor Intelli-Gel Super Gloss, to lock the polish and gems in place.
Maximalist mani
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Courtesy of @gel._lex
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Courtesy of @nailprynts
“This album is all about glitz and glam, so the maximalist trend will definitely come into play,” says Jarjour. Maximalist nails let you go full-on showstopper: Think 3D accents, oversize rhinestones, glitter, chrome, metallic foils, and fun textures—sometimes with a different design on each fingertip.
De Los Santos has some fresh ideas for taking your TLOAS maximalist nails to the next level. Oversize rhinestones can be clustered like jewelry, gold studs or chains can be arranged into corset-back details, while sculpted gel waves can be used to mimic the flowing fabric of costumes or stage curtains. “Feather-inspired textures, jewel-encrusted accents, or even fringe-like embellishments can also translate that Showgirl drama onto nails,” she adds.
French tips
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If you love Taylor but lean toward simpler designs, French tips are your answer. “Even adding a small amount of glitter or a colored tip can make the mani feel instantly tied to the era,” says Jarjour.
Use a thin brush dipped in the color of your choice, then paint the natural curve of your nail tips for a classic French. If you’re feeling playful, add extra squiggle lines, an animal print, glitter stars, or a touch of gold foil to add sparkle and visual intrigue. Minimal changes like these prove that sometimes less really is more.
Meet the experts
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- Bana Jarjour is a Los Angeles-based nail artist.
- Erica De Los Santos is a New York City- and New Jersey-based nail artist.
- Julie Kandalec is a New York City-based nail artist, educator, and Kiss Nails ambassador.
- Natalie Minerva is a Los Angeles-based nail artist and OPI global brand ambassador.
