20 Lively and Ethereal "Wicked"-Inspired Nail Looks
With tips straight from Cynthia Erivo's manicurist.
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Perhaps the most anticipated movie event of the year, Broadway’s long-time classic Wicked moves from stage to silver screen in two parts, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively. While we’re all anxiously awaiting the November 22nd release date, there’s been one detail that we can’t stop obsessing over—Erivo’s show-stopping nail sets.
“Cynthia likes her nails to live their own best life,” says Rose Hackle, the mastermind behind Cynthia’s eye-catching manicures. During this press tour, Erivo has sported nails that emulate her character. “Elphaba is very much about living out loud, living uniquely, and being herself,” says Hackle. Feeling inspired? We have 20 jaw-dropping Wicked manis to inspire you, ahead.
Meet Our Expert
Rose Hackle is a celebrity manicurist to stars like Cynthia Erivo.
Claudia Hernandez is a manicurist and content creator.
Fleury Rose is a celebrity manicurist and founder of an eponymous nail-care brand.
"To anyone trying to create a Wicked nail set: look for something that doesn’t play within the confines of what ‘should’ be on nails and definitely be outside the box with it,” she says. “In the Wicked movie, obviously there’s so much magic there, but there’s so much magic in just being you. Adding lots of glitz and glam and glitter helps to remind yourself that you are allowed to do that—turn it up!
Super Bowl Set
The set that started it all, Cynthia Erivo’s impressive nail look for the debut of Wicked’s first trailer encapsulates multiple elements of the movie. "I wanted to wrap everything into one set," says Hackle. "We’ve got green for Elphaba, pink for Glinda, and red for the ruby slipper, just to really make people understand that this was a full picture. There would be plenty of green and pink on this tour, so I wanted to slide the red in there.” The set combines texture, 3D jewels, and shimmer to tie it all together.
Elpha-brat
While green is synonymous with Wicked and Elphaba for obvious reasons, this short green mani feeds two birds with one scone. Jump on Charli XCX’s brat summer trend while also getting in the spirit for a “Wicked fall.”
One Short Day in the Emerald City
These nails practically scream Elphaba—it’s impossible not to think of her with her with a black undertone with a deep emerald shimmer. Manicurist Claudia Hernandez shares that the shimmer trend isn't going anywhere. “I don’t know what it is about those formulas but shimmer polishes tend to apply quite beautifully,” she says.
Green Tips
I love this subtle nod that features a simple asymmetrical pop of green.
Original Broadway Cast
The level of details included in this set by @westernskynails is incredible. It’s almost like she copy and pasted the playbill onto her nails. Sometimes you gotta rep your favorite characters on your claws!
Witchy (of the West) Vibes
Wicked comes out this November, when nail trends tend to transition into a fall nail color. "Something a little goth would be cool,” says celebrity manicurist Fleury Rose. This subtle black shimmer is perfect for the post-Halloween fall vibes, while still tying into our favorite witch.
Glinda the Good Witch
Rose’s pink glitter nails have two layers—a subtle shimmer throughouand multicolored sparkles on top for added dimension.
Emerald City Royalty
Erivo donned this manicure before leaving for London to begin shooting Wicked, so Hackle wanted “to send her in there feeling like she was the queen of this set.” The look included “beautiful, glittery, reflective green elements," says Hackle. "I wanted her to feel confident and I wanted people to look at her and feel confident in her that she was already becoming Elphaba.”
Glitter-Dipped Tips
These velvet nails would be Glinda-approved. The shimmer placement is reminiscent of a little magic coming out of your fingertips.
Crown & Scepter
Silver stars layered over a baby pink match Glinda’s wand and crown. These nails also have the added effect of the aura nail trend, referring to a color in the center of the nail that has been blurred out towards the edges. “Aura nails are super popular and a great way to easily incorporate multiple colors into your mani.” says Hernandez. You’ll be popu—lar!
Butter-Yellow Brick Road
If you’ve been wanting to hop on the butter yellow trend, this pastel shade is like taking a stroll down the yellow brick road.
Tony Awards
While a bold, bright set in the classic Wicked colors tend to dominate Erivo’s nails, she requested a softer look for the Tony Awards this year. “She was in the mood for a seafoam green and a fuchsia," says Hackle. "For the Tony Awards, I thought, let’s have fun, let’s keep it light and airy with fresh flowers. She loves flowers, so I didn’t think I could go wrong here.”
Pearly & Popular
Hernandez created this perfectly pink set with a delicate 3D pearl detail. “The texture just adds interest and dimension,” she says.
Poppy Fields
Throwing it back to the original Wizard of Oz, this set captures the nostalgia of Dorothy drifting off for a nap in the poppy fields on the way to the Emerald City.
Green Elixir
Hernandez says chrome is invading her social feeds. For this look, chrome adds an extra edge to your classic green manicure.
Bubble Dress
Perhaps one of the most famous costumes in the Broadway production is Susan Hilferty’s “bubble dress” that Glinda wears in the opening of Act 2 as she descends from the sky in a literal magic bubble. While most of the show is decked in pinks and greens, the bubble dress is a reflective blue that makes Glinda look like a bubble herself—why not add a couple to your nails?
Rose-Tinted Chrome
If there’s an Elphaba chrome moment, there must be an equal and opposite Glinda chrome moment. Because of these nails, I have been changed for good.
The Wizard and I
The opulence of a green-and-gold marbled manicure reminds me of the gates of the Emerald City, and the intricate costumes of all its residents.
De-Greenify
This look combines Elphaba’s signature green look with raised 3D texture—you could almost say they “defy gravity.”
Wickedly Talented
This bright super-shimmery jelly green is show-stopping and impossible to miss!
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