Addison Rae loves the 2000s. The pop star has completely embraced all things ‘00s in her music, her wardrobe and overall aesthetic, and now, her nails. For her Coachella performance alongside frequent collaborator and friend Charli XCX, Rae hit the stage in a throwback manicure that would’ve been right at home on Myspace… or in my teenage bedroom.
Manicurist Natalie Minerva, who also works with stars like Demi Lovato and the Haim sisters, created Rae’s “bedroom nails,” so named because they reminded her of “being a kid and painting multi-color nails in my bedroom.” Rae’s nails were filed into short squovals and painted in alternating shades of buttercup yellow and black. (Minerva used OPI GelColor polish shades Daffodil Duck Walk and Black Onyx; both colors are also available in the regular polish formula.)
Natalie Minerva/OPI
The bold color combo and every-other-nail pattern felt so nostalgic; I vividly remember doing the same with pale pink and black polishes circa 2003, back when that was the trendiest color combo in the world. Unlike super-detailed nail art or fancy chrome manicures, the alternating “bedroom nail” manicure is something you could totally DIY, and incorporating spring’s go-to shade, butter yellow, makes them feel timely. Plus, they were a super fun contrast to Rae’s performance outfit, a custom VS PINK by Miss Claire Sullivan strapless pink polka dot ensemble with a ruffled peplum skirt.
After a red carpet season packed with whisper-light manicures and milk bath nails, it’s fun to see some of our favorite musicians embracing brighter colors. In addition to Rae, we’ve seen colorful manis on stars like Tyla, who turned up the volume on butter yellow with a radioactive mani-pedi at the Billboard Women in Music Awards, then debuted a neon rose mani for both weekends of Coachella. Looks like it’s time to give your Bubble Bath and Ballet Slippers a break and revisit your favorite high school polishes and nail art techniques instead.