These Wild Manicures Were The Best Thing About the 2019 Met Gala

These Manicures Were The Campiest Thing About the 2019 Met Gala

For designers and celebrities with a coveted invitation, the first Monday in May is one of the biggest nights of the year. It marks the annual Met Gala, a fundraising event for the Costume Institute at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Each year, stars debut their looks on the steps of the city's iconic art museum, all dressing to the exhibit's theme. Of course, this means that avant-garde beauty looks are a given.

2019's theme was "Camp: Notes on Fashion," and it's very apropos hosts were Lady Gaga and Harry Styles, both singers known for their over-the-top, crazy and fun sartorial selections. The red carpet looks did not disappoint with celebrities arriving in a sea of feathers, sequins and super long lashes. And if there's one trend you need to know this season - it's that OTT nail art is making a comeback. Case in point: these wild celebrity manicures. From Elle Fanning's kitcshy nail charms to Cardi B's Swarvoski crystals, the night's manicures were bright, sparkly, totally extra, and so campy. Scroll to discover the best nail art from the 2019 Met Gala red carpet...

Elle Fanning

Celebrity manicurist @nailsbymarysoul created the stand-out nail look using Strike a Rose — a neon hot pink shade from Essie's summer 2019 collection — as the base and bedazzled each finger with a different vintage Miu Miu charm.

@nailsbymarysoul YOU KILLED THIS LEEWWWWK! Thanks for providing me with yummy snacks for the Met last night 🍔🍟🍺

@ellefanning a.k.a. MIU-alibu Barbie in her #MetGala #Camp look💓 #nails by #nailsbymarysoul in @Essie 'Strike a Rose' with vintage charms from @evvintagecollective 🐩 #ElleFanning styled by @samanthamcmillen_stylist in @miumiu @tiffanyandco #hair by @justjenda #makeup by @erinayanianmonroe

Candice Swanepoel

Nail art maestro @nailsbymarysoul also did a custom design for Victoria Secret Angel Candice's mani. Taking to Instagram Mary revealed: "I used @DefyandInspire in Laguna Beach!" Adding ice blue Swarovski crystals to each nail for a dramatic finish.

❄️❄️❄️❄️ or 🌊🌊🌊? Either way here's a close up of @angelcandices #nails in @defyandinspire with @swarovskiforprofessionals Layered to create a textured effect

@angelcandices #camp #nails were so much fun to create! I used @DefyandInspire in Laguna Beach! This color is available in all @target stores and online #defyandinspire #target 🧿🔹🔷🔹

Sara Sampaio

Manicurist Thuy Nguyen was inspired by Sara's August Getty Atelier dress using coats of white and purple to create a matching pattern.

A big shout out to my awesome glam team 😭😭like I say a pony is only snatched if it's giving you a headache! And man it was SNATCHED! 😂 @mimi @themartyharper @kdeenihan @thuybnguyen @soma_spa_ #metgala2019 #metcamp

Harry Styles

The Gucci Guy opted for a simple black and aqua blue pattern for his Met Gala mani - the perfect compliment to those statement rings.

i-D on Twitter

Kim Kardashian

Tom Bachik created the illusion that Kim's nails were dripping wet to match her custom Theirry Mugler dress.

@kimkardashian 💦 #nailsbytombachik ast by @gchang11 Adorn by @manfredthierrymugler

Jennifer Lopez

When it comes to Jennifer's manicure, Bachik kept it simple with a monochrome design.

@jlo 💜 #nailsbytombachik #Metgala 2019

Alexa Chung

Remember the half moon nail art trend that was huge a few years back? Alexa Chung just gave it a very campy spin. Her manicurist gave her slime green glitter nails with negative space half moons.

Arielle Tsoukatos

Arielle is our Senior Digital Beauty & Lifestyle Editor. A few career highlights include; lunch with Kim Cattrall, interviewing Naomi Watts and swapping make-up tips with Margot Robbie on the red carpet. You can find her words on InStyle, marie claire and Women's Health.