Olivia Colman is having her moment as beauty’s latest darling. The Oscar-winning actress has been making the rounds of late, from Fashion Week, where she attended the Miu Miu show, to promoting her two new projects, Elsinore and Wicker. And while her new hair has been attracting plenty of attention - a voluminous mass of salt-and-pepper extensions in what has marked a departure from her signature brunette elfin crop - it turns out she’s just as willing to experiment with her nails.
Her latest manicure is a lesson in how to make a nail art statement without straying into anything over the top. Featuring small, structural triangular windows at each tip, the sharp design contrasts against Colman's rounded nail shape while at once working harmoniously to reveal a glimpse of the natural French line beneath. This glossy, inky black detailing creates a striking contrast, lending the negative-space manicure an architectural feel, with a subtle nod to the glamour of the 1920s and the world of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.
The look was created by celebrity nail artist Robbie Tomkins, whose clients include Leslie Mann, Kristin Scott Thomas and Sadie Sink. For Colman’s appearance promoting Elsinore, a heartfelt drama about actor Ian Charleson preparing to play Hamlet at the National Theatre, the brief was all about understated elegance.
‘The nails were kept quietly elegant to complement the film’s emotional power,’ Tomkins explains. ‘They echoed Olivia’s gorgeous ’20s-inspired Zimmermann Valiant Deco maxi dress. Olivia adores fun, creative nail art that shows off her amazing personality. She’s usually filming roles that don’t call for it, so red carpets and premieres are our chance to do something beautiful and a little bit crazy. We have so much fun coming up with the ideas together. I always think about the tone of the film. Elsinore is heartfelt, so we kept the nails elegant and refined.’
There’s no doubt this is a thoughtful approach to red-carpet beauty. Tomkins’ take on the manicure is both considered and restrained - with just enough ‘oomph’ to feel aspirational. The best part? You don’t need a celebrity nail artist - or even gel polish - to recreate it.
How to recreate Olivia's negative space manicure
Apply a base coat.
Paint two coats of solid black (Liquorice, Biosculpture Gemini range).
Dip a fine brush in acetone (an eyeshadow brush works).
Gently remove small triangles near the free edge. Go slowly, ideally on your non-dominant hand.
Let it dry for 20 to 30 minutes.
Add a top coat. Waiting keeps the lines sharp
Once you achieve that steady hand, the result is a '20s leaning take on a classic French that feels cool as it does polished.
We’d expect nothing less from Colman.
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Beauty director. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism.
Main image credits: @robbietomkins and getty