Dress down your nails this Valentine's Day with the 'black sheer pantyhose' manicure
We’re pretty confident in guessing that your nails have *probably* never worn pantyhose, even in a metaphorical manner. But when Betina Goldstein (AKA the Internet’s favourite nail artist) coins a fresh new nail trend, you do exactly as she says, no questions asked. Okay fine, one question: what even are ‘black sheer pantyhose’ nails?! Allow us to explain…
What are 'black sheer pantyhose' nails?
A smokey take on Hailey Bieber’s signature chrome-finish manicure capped off with a chic black French tip, the ‘black sheer pantyhose’ nail trend is emerging as a February-friendly mani that doesn’t rely on kitschy candy heart motifs or love-centric brights.
Featuring pearlescent polish sheered out by a base coat (more on the exact mix Goldstein recommends in a minute), the aesthetic leaves nails with a sheer, and dare we say, sexy effect akin to barely-there tights over bare legs. See? There’s something saucy about it!
Commenters were quick to point out the look’s edgy nature, too – not easy to achieve with a French manicure! “Wednesday Addams needs to copy this,” one follower wrote, confirming that yes, Valentine’s Day-themed nails can even be tailored to characters who would definitely be repulsed by the more cliché takes on them.
Basically, they’re an elevated way to wear shades of black and grey (without the full-fledged gothic connotations) and a cooler, more innovative way to embrace either French tips or 2022’s beloved chrome-finish claw. Clever!
How to get ‘black sheer pantyhose’ nails
Want to try the trend? Goldstein broke down exactly how to get the look step-by-step:
#1/ "Apply “one coat of @welovecoco ballerina to all nails and let it fully dry”
#2/ “Mix a couple drops of @cndworld Black Pool into a base coat and mix well”
#3/ “Apply 2 even coats to all nails and let fully dry”
#4/ “Use @doublemoss_arte Arte 3 brush [or a similar fine-tipped nail brush] and @cndworld black pool to trace the free-edge of nails”
#5/ "Allow to completely dry and apply #cnd Gel-Like Effect Top Coat"
The products you'll need
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in 'Ballerina' ($43 at Myer), CND Shellac UV Colour Coat in 'Black Pool' ($34.95 at Le Beauty), OPI Infinite Shine ProStay Primer Base Coat Nail Polish ($23.95 at Myer), AyeVision Nail Art Brushes 3PC ($6.29 at Amazon), CND Vinylux Gel-Like Effect Top Coat ($14.95 at Salon Supplies)
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Ballerina
CND Shellac UV Colour Coat in Black Pool
OPI Infinite Shine ProStay Primer Base Coat Nail Polish
AyeVision Nail Art Brushes 3PC
CND Vinylux Gel-Like Effect Top Coat
Main image credit: @betina_goldstein
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Delaney began her career in the Australian beauty media industry in 2015, landing amidst the glossy world of women’s lifestyle magazines (or more literally, in their beauty cupboards). Since then, she has gone on to write across a multitude of beloved Australian media brands, including OK!, NW, InStyle, and Harper’s BAZAAR. She’s covered every side of beauty content, from directing beauty editorial shoots to rounding up the best glossy serums for golden hour skin. Having spent nearly a decade immersed in the beauty realm, Delaney’s knowledge of beauty is as extensive as her collection of tinted lip oils (read: extremely extensive). Delaney is currently the Digital Managing Editor of BEAUTYcrew, and her beauty wisdom also appears across beautyheaven, ELLE and Marie Claire. She enjoys channelling her personal hobby (testing beauty products) into her professional work (talking about testing beauty products), and considers perfecting the art of a cat eye in a moving car her life’s greatest accomplishment.
