Emma Dabiri: maximalist nails
IN THE 1990S, I USED TO GET LONG ACRYLICS ON MY NAILS when I was on holiday in Atlanta. This was decades before nailsalon culture became mainstream over here, so my nails – sometimes with little jewels and piercings – really stood out in Dublin.
I continued with acrylics when I moved to London, but then my style changed quite dramatically. As a shabby-chic indie girl, my nails were usually red and chipped, if painted at all. After a few years of largely ignoring them, I started to experiment again, trying various abstract nail-art designs on my natural nails. I got into builder gels, which seemed to help with nail growth, but I didn’t persevere. Regular nail polish is largely out of the question as it chips too quickly on me. I tried Gel-X extensions in New York last year, and for the new season I fancied revisiting long nails, especially after seeing so many awe-inspiring designs on the runways.
My favourite? The talons at Adeam by the nail artist Dawn Sterling. Elsewhere, Ashish and Di Petsa showed off lightcatching XXL metallic nails, while ombré was big news at Ahluwalia and Chet Lo. After the dominance of ‘clean-girl nails’ in 2023, it’s fantastic to see this creative expression.
I booked into Paint Nails London with Dash, who recommended BIAB Extensions, which last up to three weeks and promise to help the natural nail grow stronger and longer (by adding a protective layer). I went for a neutral ombré base with glitter tips, and a star and crescent design on two feature nails. I use my hands a lot when I speak and these nails add a dramatic, glamorous flourish. It makes me take extra care of my hands, too. I’ve got hand treatments from 79 Luxe and Neal’s Yard Remedies on rotation to keep them extra soft.
Real talk: clasp jewellery and little buttons have been tricky with longer nails, but it’s worth it. I’m keeping them a while longer.
It’s an end
to the dominance of ‘clean-girl nails’