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Nail art is the main character on 'Euphoria' this season

Nails > Nate

By Delaney Loane

Digital Beauty Editor / February 20 2022

Euphoria is a show jam-packed with scene stealers. We've got two words for you: Fezco's grandma.

But though literally every character has that coveted 'main character energy' we're all obsessed with, we'd argue that there are three in particular whose manicures are also serving said vibes and hence cementing their 'trendsetter' statuses.

And if you've been glued to your screens the same way the actors' press-on nails are glued to their natural ones (yep, they use press-ons), you'll be well aware that we're obviously referring to one of East Highland's most fascinating and well-manicured trios, made up of Maddy, Cassie and Kat.

"We levelled up our nail game this season with the help of @natalieminervanails," Euphoria Makeup Designer Doniella Davy confirmed via Instagram. "Natalie worked closely with us and the cast to design/produce all of our press-on nails."

As for how Minerva got involved (and went on to take the season by storm), we can thank our beloved Maddy (AKA the incomparable Alexa Demie) for that.

“[When I saw Euphoria], I thought to myself, a Gen Z–based show should have nail art. As I was watching the first season, just by happenstance, Alexa Demie walked into my salon,” Minerva told Vogue. “Alexa was a huge reason for getting me through to the producers, and she played an integral role in me getting the job and pushing the nail art narrative. I really value and respect Alexa for not only her creative mind but her tenacity in helping me.”

And so the aforementioned 'nail art narrative' was born, gifting the characters a brand new aesthetic outlet to communicate through while also ensuring audiences had yet another avenue to channel their Euphoria obsessions into.

And you best believe we'll be doing just that; here are the best nail art moments from Euphoria, which we're sending directly to our manicurists as we write this...

Maddy's neon gingham nails

Sure, Maddy's talons may be as practical for real life as her mini bag was for school, but just like that infamous tiny tote, they look so good that it almost doesn't even matter. "This Maddy nail was 100% an @alexademie brainchild," Minerva confirmed in her Instagram caption of a close-up of Maddy's neon nails. "They were so fun to make. That lime POPPED through the whole episode." Can we take a moment for the monogrammed 'M' as well, please?

Image via: Euphoria/HBO/@natalieminervanails

Cassie's 'Scarlet Letter' set

Is it too soon for an 'unlike in men, Cassie and Maddy have different taste in nail art' joke? Perhaps not, considering said betrayal was in fact represented through Cassie's nail colour. "@natalieminervanails & I put our heads together to bring y’all these negative space heart nails in dark scarlet, and absolutely I mean like The Scarlet Letter," Davy shared via Instagram of Cassie's telling talon design. There's even a 'difference' to take note of between Cassie and Maddy's nail shapes: "I used Natural Square Long for Maddy and Natural Round Medium for Cassie," Minerva explained.

Image via: @donni.davy

Maddy's Mugler-inspired mani

“Maddy’s nails for episode one were Mugler–inspired. They’re kind of sleek, very sexy, kind of vampy, you know?” Minerva told Vogue, describing how the design was intended to mirror Maddy's 'fierceness'. “There’s a darkness to it, but it’s kind of hot," she added.

Image via: @donni.davy

Kat's multicoloured marble French

“[Kat's] getting back to her feminine roots, so we went with nails that were nature-inspired,” Minerva explained to Vogue re: this marbled mani. “Kat’s nails are fun to make because you don’t need precision. Paint a French line and fill in the tip using the teal. Next, layer the neon yellow-green and pink polishes. It will create a Malachite marble texture just by the gels naturally mixing together. The messier the better because we want the texture to feel like natural stone!” Then just use a dark purple glitter polish to add a “dicrotic glitter ring to give it a little flair.”

Image via: @donni.davy

Maddy's 'caged' claws

"Up close and personal with Maddy’s “caged” nails 🖤," Minerva wrote alongside this snap. "@alexademie took this epic shot and I’m so happy she did because these are my personal favorite nails of the season ✨ I love bold graphics designs." Um, us too. Iconic.

Image via: @natalieminervanails

Borbiana does Bora Bora

If you thought Euphoria nail artist Natalie Minerva’s job was over when Sam Levinson calls cut – you’d be dead wrong. Turns out Minerva extends her skills to off-duty looks for the cast too. Case in point? The crafty manicurist took to Instagram to share that she’d created a set of jelly nails decorated with bug-eyed goldfish for Barbie Ferreira’s recent vacation: “Clear fishy nails for my girl”. The model slash actress amped up the ocean vibes with a few beachside cabana pics (cocktail in hand of course).

Image via: @natalieminervanails

Main image credit: @donni.davy

Need more Euphoria beauty goss? Did you know nobody's wearing a full face of foundation?