Zendaya’s Latest Manicure Is Totally Unexpected—and Totally Classic

When it comes to her nails, Zendaya likes to keep things simple. Given that the star is frequently changing from one couture archival look to another while on a press tour, she needs a manicure that can keep up, and a subtle French tip or milky pink usually does the job of looking pretty without competing with her outfit. However, now that she’s done with the back-to-back engagements of Dune: Part Two and Challengers, plus the Met Gala, Z has more time to play with her nail color, and her latest mani is both surprising and classic.

Manicurist Marina Dobic, who frequently works with the Emmy-winning actor, swapped Zendaya’s usual sheer shades in favor of a summer staple: bright cherry red. “How gorgeous this red looks on her,” Dobic wrote, and we agree. It’s an unexpected choice for the star, but the perfect one for July: vibrant, shiny, juicy scarlet.

According to Dobic, she used gel tip extensions versus full gel extensions to give Zendaya more length. “I literally have no practice with [them] but they turned out beautifully,” Dobic wrote of the swap-out. She filed the tips into a simple square shape and voila! The ideal summer set was born, and while it may be a bit of a departure from Zendaya’s usual manicure rotation, it’s such a good one, especially in the summertime.

Red nail polish is a forever favorite that looks great all year ‘round, but it especially shines on tips and toes when the weather heats up. In 2022, TikTok’s “red nail theory” went viral, suggesting that wearing a red manicure could help you attract a partner, and there might be something behind using nail colors to manifest your dreams. Even if you’re not searching for a suitor or a soulmate, red is a go-to classic. Nail pros predicted that fiery, spicy red would be a trending shade for 2024, and judging from Zendaya’s new nails, they were right on track. In fact, I think I already have my next manicure color all planned out. Thanks, Z!