chosentomatorat

Photo: Getty ImagesSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

I think most makeup wearers can relate when I say my default eyeliner shade is always some take on black or brown. Maybe I'll do charcoal on a really wild day. I even have a couple of shades of blue and purple waiting in the wings in case I want to create colorful… well… wings. But red? I'm reluctant to put it lightly. Or at least I was until I saw Zendaya making it look like a new neutral.

Zendaya has been unsurprisingly killing it with the beauty and fashion moments as she promotes her new movie, The Drama. And while she's been looking like a one-woman bridal fashion show for many of the appearances, she took a glamour-goth turn for the Rome premiere, wearing a black Giorgio Armani Privé gown previously worn by Cate Blanchett. (Something borrowed. Get it? Because the movie is about a wedding?)

Photo: Getty Images

The dress definitely called for some badass makeup, but instead of the bold, black liner you might expect, makeup artist Nikki Wolff went with red tones that really vibed with the burgundy backdrop at the event. Once you get past her bangs, very much intentionally styled by Ursula Stephen to fall in front of her eyes, Zendaya's lids are covered in a smoky wash of fiery color with a seamless, shimmery blend.

Photo: Getty Images

Even her lower waterline is given a bold stroke of red—a look I'm quite sure would make me appear to have not slept for days. But it works so well on Zendaya because a) she's Zendaya and b) it's not a true red. The coppery hue comes through as red in contrast with her eye color and glossy lips, outlined in a tan pencil.

Photo: Getty Images

While this may not be an everyday look for most of us (Zendaya included), it absolutely proves there's plenty of room to explore unexpected eyeliner colors—even the ones we previously assumed wouldn't be flattering.

Photos: Instagram / @heygreatnails, @nailzzwithannie, @megs.nailnookSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Floral nail art for spring isn’t a novel concept, but combining it with the latest nail trends and products can make it as fresh as the blooms at your local farmers' market. This season’s designs feature cat-eye effects, jelly finishes, and lots of texture. You’ll see beads, gems, and even actual flowers encased in clear polish.

And there’s something for everyone. For nail-art minimalists, these additions can be more of a whisper than a shout—a little extra something for you and your loved ones to enjoy as you have brunch outdoors. For those who want a more dramatic look, there are 3D designs for you to screenshot and take to your manicurist.

Your floral manicure doesn’t have to be perfect, either. “My favorite way to do floral nail art these days is more of a random, uneven placement,” says Annie Ngo, a nail artist in Atlanta. “I also love mixing florals with French tips or subtle cat-eye backgrounds to add a little depth while still keeping it delicate.”

Ahead, discover the floral nail ideas that have us excited for spring.

Pink and white jelly floral nails

Instagram / @setsbysenia

Floral manicures are always pretty, but this look takes the feminine vibe to the next level. We love the almost translucent shine of these jelly petals placed artfully over a sheer pink base. Plus, the single rhinestone on each nail gives this manicure just the right amount of bling.

Pink and green floral nails

Instagram / @setsbysenia

If delicate and dainty are not in your vocabulary when it comes to nail art, a more maximalist design, like this set, is for you. This Y2K-esque look is complete with slightly raised pink flowers, green chrome details, and pink cat-eye with clear jelly swirls—it’ll fit right onto your moodboard.

Tropical-flower Nails

Instagram / @setbysenia

Who says you have to wait until summer to start doing tropical-nail sets? This island-inspired look combines bright shades of blue and pink with 3D fuchsia petals for a manicure your friends will be fawning over during your spring break trip.

Green French tips with white floral nail art

Instagram / @ploydidthat

French tips never go out of style—they just adapt to the times and season. For spring, try tips in an earthy color like green, and decorate it with delicate daisies. Your nails will be on trend and in season.

3D pearl-flower nails

Instagram / @ploydidthat

Using pearl beads and gems is an easy way to get an elegant and fresh 3D manicure. Simply glue a small silver rhinestone onto the nail, then add the pearls around it to create this look. The result is equal parts elegant and playful.

Purple floral cat-eye nails

Instagram / @nailzzwithannie

This romantic set is the perfect balance of delicate and bold. Combine fuchsia, 3D blooms with a magnetic polish.

Milky-white and blue flower nails

Instagram / @megs.nailnook

You don’t have to be Claude Monet to paint expressive flowers. To create a milky base for your blue petals, use one to two coats of a sheer white or pink polish, and don’t be shy with a glossy topcoat. To achieve these dainty blue flowers, use a nail art brush or dotting tool to create a small spec on the nail with shimmery polish. Then, using a nail art brush with bristled tips, paint four short strokes of blue polish around your gold dot. Seal everything with a glossy topcoat and you’ve got a frame-worthy manicure.

Gold and pink cat-eye floral nails

Instagram / @heygreatnails

This regal manicure combines three of our favorite nail trends: cat-eye, gold-frame adornments, and French tips. A soft, milky base is the perfect backdrop for these delicate, petal-like accents, outlined in fine gold for a jewelry-inspired finish. Consider us in awe.

Blue-velvet floral nails

The transition to spring doesn’t mean you have to drop your beloved winter color palette. This 3D, floral manicure marries many trends—cat-eye, French, 3D embellishments, a milky base—while staying within an icy color palette. It looks ready to thaw for the warmer months.

Ready to try your hand at some of these spring-floral nail art looks? Below, shop for the essential tools you’ll need to re-create your floral nail designs

2026 spring floral nail art essentials

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

DND

9D Cat Eye Unicorn #22- Celestial Prism

$12.50

DND

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Wrapables

5D Embossed Colorful Flowers Nail Art Decal Stickers

$14

Target

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Makartt 3D Gel Nail Art Sculpting Gel

$10 $7 (30% off)

Amazon

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Mirror Champagne Gold Chrome Powder

$25

Beyond Polish

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Anezus

800 Piece Ivory Pearl Craft Beads

$7

Amazon

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Olive & June

Puffy Floral Metallic Glue Press-Ons

$10

Olive & June

Courtesy of subjects and brandSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

At long last, Cécred has launched styling products. Take a moment to celebrate—we certainly did. If you’ve ever seen Beyoncé perform, you know her hairstyles can withstand strong winds, proximity to flames, and high humidity. Now, with this seven-piece collection, the singer has finally revealed how she keeps her hair in place.

For those of you who are new to Cécred, here’s a refresher: When Beyoncé announced the launch of her hair-care brand in 2024, fans saw it as their best shot at achieving lustrous, voluminous, “Bey-level” curls. The first products included washday essentials formulated to help nourish your hair and scalp. The singer’s mom and former hairdresser, Tina Knowles, helped develop them, bringing her in-salon experience and expertise to the brand. Fans were right to be hyped about the collection. The Allure editors who tested it immediately incorporated some of its products into their hair-care routines. The team was especially impressed with the Cécred Restoring Hair and Edge Drops, so much so that it earned a 2025 Best of Beauty Award.

The addition of styling products to the Cécred lineup makes perfect sense for the brand’s next move. After all, fans have been pining for them: “Please let it be for styling, I beg,” wrote one Instagram user in the comments of a teaser post for the launch. “Please be a heat protector, I’ve been wanting this,” added another.

The collection includes a heat-protectant mist, styling glaze, volumizing mousse, hairspray, wrapping foam, strong-hold gel, and an edge brush. And because Bey is looking out for the curls we worked so hard to coddle, each styler is equipped with heat protection. Cécred calls it the “StemShield Complex,” and while the exact formulation remains under wraps, there are some clues on the product labels.

Laura Lam-Phaure, a Los Angeles-based cosmetic chemist, points to a blend of recurring ingredients across the formulas as being responsible for shielding your hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees: watermelon seed oil, schinziophyton rautanenii [mongongo] kernel oil, ximenia americana [sour plum] seed oil, zymomonas [fermenting agent] extract, and honey extract. It's worth noting, Lam-Phaure adds, that Cécred leans on plant-based heat protectants rather than traditional silicone-heavy formulations.

As for what the styling collection smells like, it shares the same musky floral scent as the brand’s previous lineups—blending notes of sandalwood, Haitian vetiver, oud, jasmine, and musk. To some it smells earthy, while others find it herbaceous. The consensus, though, is that it smells so good.

To see how the brand’s latest launch performs on different hair types, we tested the styling products on wavy, curly, and coily textures. Ahead, read our full thoughts on the collection.

In this storyAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

• Cécred Thermal Shield Mist
• Cécred Heat Activated Silk Glaze
• Cécred Volumizing Mousse
• Cécred Flexible Hold Hairspray
• Cécred Wrap & Set Foam
• Cécred Strong Hold Gel

The Collection: Product Breakdown

Cécred Thermal Shield Mist, $30

What it is: The Knowles clearly know how non-negotiable heat-protection is. To drive the point home, they gave us a product that is designed to help avoid singeing our hair with hot tools (up to 450 degrees). “It’s jam-packed with active ingredients,” says Lam-Phaure, adding that she doesn’t see a lot of “fluff” additives. Aside from the brand’s StemShield Complex, the formula contains hydrating ingredients (like panthenol and glycerin), fragrance, and stabilizing preservatives.

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Cécred

Thermal Shield Mist

$30

Ulta Beauty

$30

Cécred

Jennet Jusu, editorial assistant: I’m very particular about my protective styles and the routine that comes with them. I have thick, coarse 4B to 4C hair, so the products I use can make or break the final result of my style and the manageability of my hair. When I refresh a braid-out, I typically use a thermal round brush to stretch my hair, straightening each section from root to tip before braiding. For this routine, Cécred’s Thermal Shield Mist fits right in.

After combing out my three-day-old, crinkled hair, I sprayed my hair from root to tip in sections. I immediately noticed, and loved, the lightweight fragrance (it smells expensive). I also found that my strands didn’t make that alarming hissing sound when I went in with the Hey Mane It’s Giving Body Medium Hot Round Brush.

My hair is not easy to comb through, so being able to slide a heated brush through it and braid my entire head in about 25 minutes felt like a win. The mist softened my coils just enough to make the heat pass-through smoother and more effective.

Jusu’s hair before styling.

Courtesy of Jennet Jusu

Jusu holding a styled section of hair after using the Cécred Thermal Shield Mist.

Courtesy of Jennet JusuCécred Heat Activated Silk Glaze, $34

What it is: Reach for this serum-like glazing fluid before getting a silk press. As the name suggests, it acts as both a heat protectant and a frizz fighter, allowing for a more seamless press-and-curl experience. Its use of denatured alcohol is noteworthy, says Lam-Phaure, as it helps evenly distribute oils and emollients for a smoother, glossier finish. The alcohol quickly flashes off, leaving only the beneficial ingredients—like smoothing hydrolyzed silk—behind. That quick-drying effect also helps prevent over-application, which water-heavy formulas can encourage when results don’t appear right away.

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Cécred

Heat Activated Silk Glaze

$34

Ulta Beauty

$34

Cécred

Melenie McGregor, creative producer: The Heat Activated Silk Glaze made my hair feel, well, silky. To test it, I divided my freshly cleansed, detangled, and damp hair into eight sections, massaging two pumps of the slippery fluid into them. I used the FHI Heat Unbrush to evenly distribute the Cécred product throughout my hair for maximum heat protection before blow-drying and flatironing my hair. As I styled my curls, I noticed that I needed fewer passes with my blow-dryer than I normally would, and appreciated how it protected my strands from heat.

The bottle design is playful without impacting its function. That said, at $34, I do wish it came in a larger size than 5 oz. [Editors’ note: Heat protectant serums and lotions range from $8 to $130, so this one lands in the middle.]

McGregor before using the Heat Activated Silk Glaze and blow-drying her hair.

Courtesy of Melenie McGregor

McGregor after blow-drying and flatironing her hair.

Courtesy of Melenie McGregorCécred Volumizing Mousse, $32

What it is: This one's for anyone chasing a blowout that has some va-va-voom. The airy foam was formulated for you to use before drying your hair to create long-lasting bounce and body. Lam-Phaure says that the volumizing magic is in its many film-forming agents: VP/VA copolymer "helps give your hair structure and a slight lift," she explains, while the ingredients that start with "polyquaternium" help "lift the root without a crunchy finish."

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Cécred

Volumizing Mousse

$32

Ulta Beauty

$32

Cécred

Sarah Hoffmann, commerce producer: My curl pattern is on the looser side, so I like a mousse for the added volume and definition. Cécred's new formula plays really nicely with my shaggy cut. I applied it to damp hair, using my fingers to evenly rake it through, before scrunching my hair into my palms to define my curls.

The mousse gave my hair a light lift in the shorter layers and helped define and shape the longer pieces at the bottom, where my curls are naturally a little tighter. It’s also not crunchy at all. You could use different amounts of product to accommodate your hair's porosity and density. My strands are deceptively fine but fluffy, so a small amount did the trick. I flatironed my bangs and allowed the rest of my hair to air-dry (which took about two hours). Overall, I love how this mousse lightly defined my curls while giving me soft, touchable volume.

Hoffmann with freshly washed hair.

Courtesy of Sarah Hoffmann

Hoffmann after using the Volumizing Mousse and air-drying her hair.

Courtesy of Sarah HoffmannCécred Flexible Hold Hairspray, $38

What it is: Anyone who heat-styles regularly knows the value of a good hairspray—one that locks in your look without leaving hair stiff or coated in a sticky film. The Cécred Flexible Hold Hairspray does all of the above and more.

Lam-Phaure says the formula is unconventional, behaving more like a lightweight smoothing cream than a traditional spray. In addition to a film-former that helps maintain your style, it contains glycerin (which, Lam-Phaure notes, has a thick texture that helps defrizz hair and provide flexible hold) and light emulsifiers commonly found in conditioning products.

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Cécred

Flexible Hold Hairspray

$38

Ulta Beauty

$38

Cécred

Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor: Cécred has been a regular part of my hair-care routine not only because it makes my poofy natural waves look shiny and healthy, but also because of how it smells so effing good. (Seriously, I was letting my hair down from a tight ponytail at an event, and someone pointed out how amazing it smelled.) Now the brand has taken over my styling routine too.

Before hitting my strands with a thermal round brush (specifically, the Hey Mane It's Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush), I spritz on the Thermal Shield Mist. I apply it all over my hair, spraying a bit more onto my ends to keep them from getting crispy. Then I get to curling. As I release each newly styled section, I spray the Flexible Hold Hairspray in small bursts across it, before holding the curl in my hands for a few seconds to let it set. The nozzle dispenses the finest mist, ensuring even coverage. My style holds all day (sometimes into the next day if I sleep face down on the crook of my arm) and the brand’s signature scent wafts behind me.

Calaor before styling her hair.

Courtesy of Jesa Marie Calaor

Calaor after using the Thermal Shield Mist, styling with a thermal brush, and finishing her style with the Flexible Hold Hairspray.

Courtesy of Jesa Marie CalaorCécred Wrap & Set Foam, $28

What it is: A styling collection wouldn’t be complete without a product for those who like to wear their hair curly. The Wrap and Set Foam promises to define natural styles and keep curls frizz-free while protecting strands from humidity and heat. (The latter is crucial for those who like to stretch their hair with a blow-dryer before styling.)

Glycerin and jojoba oil work together in this formula to hydrate and moisturize the hair. So, while your style will be set in place, your hair will still feel soft to the touch.

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Cécred

Wrap & Set Foam

$28

Ulta Beauty

$28

Cécred

Jessica Cruel, editor in chief: Typically, I use a gel-cream to set my twist out after blow-drying my hair straight. When I met the Cécred team to get dialed in on the new styling launch, I wondered, Where is the twisting cream? They assured me that the Wrap + Set foam would get the job done.

I was skeptical because I've tried that method before with other foams, and the definition and hold never match up. This one does! I was able to get the same definition that I'm used to. The twists were a bit crunchier than I like, but I was able to break that cast by coating my fingers in oil during the takedown.

There is more shrinkage than when using my typical cream (foam has a lot more liquid, so that makes sense). Overall, this twist-out passed the test. Next time, I'll give my hair another blast of heat after twisting to stretch and get more length. Fortunately, this formula has a heat-protectant built in, which is a plus.

Cruel before styling her hair.

Courtesy of Jessica Cruel

Cruel after using the Wrap & Set Foam to twist her hair.

Courtesy of Jessica Cruel

Jusu: The texture of this foam was sticky in my hands when I first rubbed it in, but I was happy to find that it wasn’t as sticky when it dried in my hair. It made my hair look shiny, and felt moisturized almost instantly. I applied the foam in sections before braiding my hair, and in the morning, my hair felt silky and smooth. It’s safe to say this was very effective for my braid-out routine.

Jusu braiding her blow-dried hair.

Courtesy of Jennet Jusu

Jusu after using Wrap & Set Foam to do a braid-out.

Courtesy of Jennet JusuCécred Strong Hold Gel, $32

What it is: Designed with natural hairstyles in mind, this durable gel is said to smooth curls and coils into place without drying out the hair or leaving a stiff, cement-like cast. Lam-Phaure explains how the formula achieves this: A light, flexible film locks your style in place, polyquaternium-69 (a polymer) tames flyaways, and denatured alcohol helps it set quickly. The result? A strong, long-lasting hold that doesn’t move as you go about your day.

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Cécred

Strong Hold Gel

$32

Ulta Beauty

$32

Cécred

Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor: Normally, I’d use a strong-hold gel in a twist-out or to slick back the base of a high puff, but with freshly braided cornrows in, I had to pivot to using this gel to lay my edges. The styling collection does include an edge brush, but since I hadn’t gotten my hands on it yet, I reached for my go-to: the BabyTress Edge Brush.

I usually lay my edges with a thicker pomade-like edge control, so the liquid consistency of this gel threw me off at first. But as I smoothed my wispy baby hairs down, I found the gel had a good grip to it. I had to apply a bit more product than I would with a thicker edge control, but the lightweight texture of the gel worked easily with the brush to slick my hair down with just a few swoops. And unlike a traditional edge control, my hair didn’t feel stiff.

I applied the Strong Hold Gel at 10 a.m., and by 4:30 p.m. my edges were still laid and intact—a little fuzzier than they were in the morning, but the design I’d swooped on was still going strong.

Blay-Tettey with no product on her baby hairs.

Courtesy of Annie Blay-Tettey

Blay-Tettey after using the Strong Hold Gel to lay her baby hairs.

Courtesy of Annie Blay-Tettey

Cruel: I packed this gel—and only this gel—as edge control on a recent work trip, putting my trust in the Knowles before a panel appearance. When I first started to apply, I worried the formula was too watery to give me the slick that I like. The consistency feels more like a styling gel you would use for ponytails than a thick edge control gel. I put my scarf on and prayed. When it was time for the big reveal, I was shocked by the results. Edges? Laid. Baby hairs? Slicked.

Cruel after using the Strong Hold Gel on her edges.

Courtsey of Jessica Cruel

Getty ImagesSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this story

Cardi B must have known I have a nail appointment on my calendar this week and needed some inspiration, because her latest set just gave me mani ideas for days.

The rapper, who is busy traveling from state to state on her “Little Miss Drama” tour and promoting her new Grow-Good hair care line, stopped by The Tonight Show with a glamorous manicure that incorporated several trends and classic mani elements: a subtle French tip ombré in the coolest metallic chrome finish. And luckily for us, she gave us a close-up on her Instagram Stories so we can examine her nails in detail.

Cardi's long, oval-shaped manicure, crafted by nail artist Coca Michelle, began with a deep sapphire blue color applied to the top portion of her nail, but instead of a straight-across or precisely curved French tip, the shade softened and diffused downward like an ombré, eventually transitioning from midnight blue to a rich ruby red. The base shade was a gorgeous, lit-from-within red, with the prismatic color taking up most of Cardi's nail real estate. Shiny chrome made her nails look like literal gemstones.

Screenshotinstagram.com/iamcardib

While cats-eye nails have been one of the biggest trends in the nail world as of late—Cardi is a fan!—chrome is still a go-to for celebs and regular folks like me alike. It can be delicate and frosty when applied atop pastels or neutral shades and add a cool metallic edge to darker tones like Cardi's red-and-blue combo.

Getty Images

Cardi wore her metallic ombré manicure for a visit to The Tonight Show, pairing it with a shimmering golden gown and her natural hair styled in soft, voluminous curls. She was there to chat about Grow-Good, recounting the story of when she put garlic in her hair—a tale she also told Allure for her brand-new cover story. While she's a fan of onion-based hair care recipes, garlic is a no-go. “I tried garlic…” she told writer Jazmine Hughes. “Do not put garlic in your hair.” (She told Jimmy Fallon it made her smell like a bowl of pasta.) Noted, Cardi! I won't be putting garlic in my hair anytime soon, but I will be copying those nails!