It's not often you hear "Kardashian" and "drugstore" uttered in the same breath. The only recent occurrence we can think of is when Kendall Jenner wore a full face of drugstore beauty products to the Met Gala, but technically speaking, she's a Jenner, not a Kardashian. Regardless, the point is that we don't hear a lot about the famous family's budget-friendly beauty faves (if they have any).
That's why it was so refreshing to learn that Kim Kardashian counted on the iconic drugstore nail polish brand Essie for her latest manicure. Last night, she attended the Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles with long, square-tipped nails that were painted a stunning milky-nude color. Keep scrolling to see the exact $13 shade that her nail artist, Brittney Boyce, used to create it.
Here it is, the exact sheer, nude-pink shade that Boyce used to create Kardashian's red carpet manicure. She applied two coats before going over it with a long-wearing topcoat. "We wanted to go with a perfect milky/sheer neutral shade that would complement the length and shape of Kim's nails," Boyce said.
This was the topcoat Boyce used to seal Kardashian's nails. It's a gel-effect topcoat, which means it provides long-wear, chip-resistant shine without the need for any special equipment like a UV lamp to cure it.
The final step was to apply cuticle oil for moisture. This one uses apricot kernel and jojoba oil to make nails and cuticles feel soft and hydrated in a single swipe.
More Essie Nail Polishes We Love
This soft brown is perfect for fall and winter.
This formula dries in about a minute, making it perfect for anyone who tends to smudge their still-wet nails.
This scarlet shade is iconic.
Another iconic shade from the brand, this light pink is foolproof (and similar to Kardashian's vibe).
This taupe color is subtle and sophisticated.
Glitter is a must for the holiday season.
We're really into brown nail colors right now.
We're also into bold blues.
-
Celeb Manicurists Confirmed It—These 9 Budding Nail Trends Will Be Everywhere This SpringTo the salon!
-
My Clients Are Known for Glossy, Expensive-Looking Hair—8 Drugstore Items I Think You Should Own"It's not about the price tag—it's about performance."
-
This Is the It-Girl Nail Trend Every Miu Miu Fan Will WearIt's far from demure.
-
In Defense of Angsty BeautyFrom "unapproachable" makeup to "anti-pretty" perfume.
-
Selena Gomez Is Dripping in Jewels at the Oscars—Her "Peach Champagne" Mani Looks Just as Expensive*Swoon*
-
Elegant, Subtle, and Painfully Chic—Licorice French Nails Will Be *It* for SpringThis "anti-trend" is one to watch.
-
If Chanel Nail Polishes Had a Fan Club, I'd Be President—the Trendiest Spring 2025 Shades to ShopThey're impossibly chic.
-
This Wildly Popular, Taylor Swift–Coded Lipstick Is Rarely in Stock—Now There's a Nail Polish VersionAct fast.
