Stiletto nails are everywhere right now, so here's how to achieve pointy perfection
When Kim Kardashian stepped out with stiletto nails not once, but twice in the same week, we knew the pointy-nail trend had gone up a notch. Why? because Kim is renowned for her more pared-back approach to nails, often leaning on trusty neutral-pink tones.
She even tweeted once about how much she hated impractical nails, saying, "Long nails are soooo not my thing!!! I can't put my necklace on! Cant hardly type and I just can't do anything!!! Annoyed on another level.” Dramatic.
Her nail vibe has always been especially safe compared to her sister's, Khloe Kardashian, who consistently serves up iconic nail inspiration via her IG account. Well, it looks like Khloe's got some healthy competition - get your stiletto claws out, girls.
Kim's first foray into stiletto nails was for the Baby2Baby Gala, with a design coined “Stiletto French Nails” by her long-time nail artist Kim Truong. In other words, super-long pink nails, filed into a sharp tapered point with a white tip, to match her head-to-toe pink outfit and miniature Balenciaga bag.
Over on her Instagram page, Truong revealed that she used the Gel Bottle Inc’s DesignEx Pro Tips in the Long Stiletto to craft the shape, before painting on the pink and white design with the brand’s Studio Gel polishes in shades Marshmallow and Daisy.
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Then, a matter of days later, Kim took an ever greater leap out of her comfort zone by arriving at a SKKN by KIM pop-up in California with eye-popping green nails — another riff on stiletto nails but this time with a Y2K twist that channelled the same vibe as her high-waisted denim and silver outfit.
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It turns out Kim's brave creations were in fact press-on nails, custom-made by Truong, which could come off immediately after both events to be reused. Nonetheless, Kim's new-found passion for nails that err on the sharp side has reignited our love for stiletto nails, and we've been busy trawling Insta for the latest design inspo ever since. Feast your eyes on these sharp delights - just don't go poking your eye out or anything…
Instagram/@tammynailsoficialNeon Bling
Highlighter pen meets leopard, you say? It's a yes from us. @tammynailsoficial has elevated the look further with some subtle cuticle bling, and a matching ring of sparkle across the neighbouring nail. Perfection.
Instagram/@drenanailsRetro Pastel
We fully approve of this modern-retro mash up by @drenanails. The minty-green and baby-blue hues give it a chic, fresh feel, but with an added hint of retro in the curved design. Plus those cuticle accents are *chef's kiss*.
Instagram/@eric_basicacrylicMother Of Pearl
These dreamy opal, mother-of-pearl-effect nails were created by @eric_basicacrylic and we can't get over how striking they are. If you want block colour on your pointy acrylics but don't fancy a matte finish, here's your compromise.
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Instagram/@nailsbymeiAnime Sharps
New-York-based nail artist @nailsbymei is known for her game-changing nail art, usually steeped in Japanese culture. she posted this anime design for Halloween but captioned it, “I will wear it even after Halloween 👻.”
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Instagram/@nailsbymhLeopard Frenchies
Upgrade your french mani with a flash of leopard print, just like @nailsbymh did for makeup artist Nikki Wolff. She used her fave Bio Sculpture Gel, saving the animal print for the tips for the chicest claws we've ever seen.
Instagram/eric_basicacrylicPop Art Nudes
We can't stop staring at these 3D, pop-art nails by @eric_basicacrylic. Using beige-nude base colours, a neat black outline and flashes of white reflection, these are cartoon nails at their finest.
Instagram/@nailsbymhRoyal Green
Sometimes, a sturdy green is all you need in a world of crazy nail art. Is it dark green? Royal green? Wheelie bin green? Who cares, it's stunning for winter, and @nailsbymh created these gorgeous stiletto nails on celebrity makeup artist Nikki Wolff using Bio Sculpture Gel.
Instagram/@nails_by_zina_nz'70s Floral
We love the 3D effect of @nails_by_zina_nz's floral-and-butterfly-adorned stiletto nails. She's self-taught, which blows our tiny minds.
Instagram/@drenanailsFruity Accent
As if ombre-pink stiletto nails aren't wow enough already, @drenanails went and threw a watermelon into the mix. Petition for all stiletto nails to come with a fruity accent?
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Instagram/@nailsalon_artbyyouCracked Pink
Like an electrical storm went off in Hello Kitty World, we see cute and scary when we stare at these pointy gel delights by @nailsalon_artbyyou.
Instagram/@tammynailsoficialWedding Stiletto
Want a wedding nail that's a little more edgy than the rest? @tammynailsoficial has created the ultimate pointy french mani with some added accent bling and glitter. Just don't poke your guests' eyes out on the dance floor.
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