Taylor Swift is known for communicating with her loyal fans through clever and strategic use of Easter eggs. While the star has made it clear in the New Heights podcast that she wouldn't conceal hidden meanings relating to her personal life, we can't help but to notice this little detail from her recent engagement photos.
Swift, who's known for her love of do-it-yourself manicures and has a history of embracing fun, expressive colours through her nails, opted for a significantly pared-back manicure for her engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce.
Providing the backdrop for her elongated cushion cut, custom-designed ring by New York City-based designer Artifex Fine, Swift echoed the silhouette of the jewellery with longer, almond-shaped nails in a polished shade of soft neutral beige. No shimmers, no nail art, no striking trendy colours, just an impeccably done manicure.
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Swift's aesthetic choices, from her street style clothes that often mirror the current era of her albums to her lipstick colours, have always been considered and intentional. Perhaps this clean nail design signals a clean slate; the start of her new chapter as she and Kelce continue to thrive in their respective fields. Swift also tends to embrace longer nails when she isn't on the performing circuit (short nails are better-suited to guitar strumming).
Or perhaps she is simply enjoying the more laidback, relaxed side of fashion and beauty before the release of her next album, The Life Of A Showgirl. Swift is no stranger to channeling different vibes through glamorous, maximalist looks on stage, yet her love for all things cosy is well-documented. It's clear through her engagement photos that she's opting to keep things feeling natural through done-undone hair and a fresh face, save for her signature kitten flick and a whisper of lip colour.
Swift makes a strong case for keeping your engagement manicure simple, too, so as to not detract from a sparkling ring. What better way to spotlight a diamond that's big enough to host its own Eras tour than with a your-nails-but-better hue?
'When it comes to an engagement manicure, keeping nails clean, well-shaped, and finished in a soft neutral shade is always a winning choice,' agrees session manicurist Ami Streets.
'A natural, elegant design not only lets your ring shine but also gives a timeless, classic look that flows seamlessly from the engagement to the wedding day itself,' she adds, recommending a Russian manicure which delivers immaculate cuticles and a high shine finish that lasts.
If you're looking to recreate something similar, ask for almond shape nails in the salon and opt for a colour that's closest to your skin tone. OPI Flannel Aerobics, Kure Bazaar Le Rose, Manucurist's Orme and Margaret Dabbs Nail Strengthening Treatment are all excellent choices.
ELLE Edit: Neutral Nail Polishes
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Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
