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You know how some people say that once July 4th is over, it's Halloween season? For those of us who crave overall fall vibes—especially when it comes to beauty—moving into the second half of the year means it's time to dig out the dark nail polish. Yes, we're at the peak of summer. And yes, nude/soap/clean-girl nails are still going strong. But anyone who looks back fondly at the Chanel Vamp ‘90s understands there’s no wrong time to rock a super-dark manicure, and it seems Nicole Kidman is in full agreement.
Celebrities have descended upon Paris to attend fashion shows, and Kidman was among stars like Kim Kardashian, Cardi B, Salma Hayek, Lorde, who attended the Balenciaga Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2025/2026 show on Wednesday, July 9. It seems most guests got the memo about wearing upscale goth looks—some bold, some subtle—and Kidman played along with a slouchy all-black suit.
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Upon first glance, it may seem as though Kidman matched her short nails to her ensemble, but upon closer inspection, we're confident that the Oscar winner is wearing an extra-super-duper-dark red or purple, just like the ones we loved so much in the mid-'90s, not to mention the mid-2000s when OPI launched Lincoln Park After Dark.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Nothing says, “I'm complicated,” quite like short, dark nails worn during and despite the sunniest days of the year. Thirty years ago, it felt rebellious, and to this day, it still feels moody—like it captures the essence of both teen angst and full-grown seduction simultaneously.
If, like Kidman, you see no reason to wait for fall to start painting your nails almost black, we're currently loving Nails Inc. It's Topless 1 Step Gel Manicure in Billie and Sundays No. 19.