Recently, I reported on Sabrina Carpenter's manicure in her new Manchild music video. The singer-songwriter and her nail artist, Zola Ganzorigt, brought a mid-2000s print back from the dead, and somehow, made it one of the most stylish summer nail designs for 2025. I'm talking about (wait for it) polka dots.
Yep. If you're like me, you haven't proudly worn polka dots since middle school, but trust me when I say they're back, because a second internet It girl just embraced the trend: Dua Lipa. Lately, she's been sporting a classic black-and-white polka-dot manicure, and it's plastered all over her Instagram. Suddenly, I feel the need to book a manicure appointment and embrace this "outdated" nail design.
Here's a look at Dua Lipa's take on the polka-dot manicure. As you can see, she opted for a classic black-and-white design, albeit with French tips. It's so chic.
Here's a closer look. Most of her nails feature a black French tip with white polka dots over the top, although her ring finger has a slightly different pattern. Believe me when I say I never saw this nail trend coming back from the dead (even beauty editors are surprised sometimes!), but now that I have, I think it's so stylish.
Shop the Polka-Dot Nail Trend
If you're sticking with a classic black-and-white polka-dot design like Dua Lipa, I recommend reaching for Essie's Nail Polish in Licorice. It's a true inky black.
I recommend Essie's Nail Polish in Blanc for the polka dots. It's a crisp white.
To re-create this design at home, you need a dotting tool, like the one in this kit.
Or, you can skip the at-home nail art and use press-ons. Easy peasy.
Here's another set of polka-dot press-ons I'm adding to my cart.
These press-ons aren't covered in traditional polka dots, per se, but I think these inlaid gems count. These would make a chic bridal or engagement party manicure.
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