Why Ultra-Short Nails Were the Unexpected Star of Cannes 2025: Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning and More Embrace Healthy Nail Beds
- The 2025 Cannes Film Festival red carpet showcased new beauty trends, including chopped-up dark hair and ultra-short nails in clear, pale pink, and pitch-black colors.
It's all in the details on the 2025 Cannes Film Festival red carpet. From chopped-up dark hair to double-winged, cat-eye makeup, the annual affair has already introduced a new wave of beauty aesthetics boasted by the likes of model Cara Delevingne and actress Ariana Greenblatt .
When it comes to nails, specifically, the actresses, filmmakers, models and celebrities gravitated toward three main colors: clear, pale pink and pitch-black. The star shape on the carpet was square. Meanwhile, the surprising trend to come out of the two-week event was the popular nail length: ultra-short. Guests noticeably clipped-off their acrylics for more natural, healthier nail beds.
More from WWD
Ahead, WWD breaks down the hottest red carpet nail trends from Nicole Kidman , Elle Fanning and more.
Colors: Clear, Pitch-Black and Pale Pink
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning on the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival red carpet outside the Palais des Festivals on May 23.
Elle Fanning attended the premiere of "The Mastermind" on May 23, wearing a long-sleeved, low-cut V-neck Valentino couture gown embellished with sequins and diamond-shaped stitching.
The actress accessorized her hands with a diamond ring on each of her middle fingers
For her nails, the "A Complete Unknown" actress opted for a clear coat of polish on her natural nail beds.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman attends the 2025 Kering Women In Motion Awards and Cannes Film Festival Presidential Dinner
Nicole Kidman arrived on the 2025 Kering Women in Motion Awards on May 18 in a red, floral lace turtle-neck gown, straight blond hair and dark roots.
Nicole Kidman posed for the cameras with a tiny wrist watch and her diamond ring
"Babygirl" star Nicole Kidman donned an inky black nail polish, juxtaposing her bright red dress.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry smiled outside the 78th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 18
Halle Berry posed outside the premiere of "The Phoenician Scheme" in a floral-embroidered Chanel couture pant suit with a black velvet pussy bow and dangly diamond earrings.
Berry styled her feminine fashion with a butterfly-shaped diamond ring on her right hand
The 58-year-old actress accessorized her look with a light bubblegum-colored nails, bringing out the warm hues in her suit.
Shape: Square
Lady Eliza Spencer
Lady Amelia Spencer (Left) and Lady Eliza Spencer (Right) at the "La Venue de l'Avenir" premiere during the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 22
Lady Eliza Spencer stepped out alongside Lady Amelia Spencer for the premiere of "La Venue de l'Avenir" in matching square-neck, strapless gowns with tulle trains and a tiny waist skirt. Lady Amelia Spencer's dress was black, while Lady Eliza Spencer wore the pale pink version.
The niece of Princess Diana adorned her left hand with a three-tiered ring and a matching bracelet
Lady Eliza Spencer completed her look with square-cut nails coated in a bubblebath color to complement her fashion.
Sri Divya
Sri Divya posed outside the Palais des Festivals on May 22 in Cannes, France.
Sri Divya wore a two-piece, black strapless gown to the premiere of "La Venue De L'avenir" on May 22 for the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival. Her ensemble included a mesh wrap around her left shoulder.
The actress kept her jewelry to a minimum, donning diamonds on her right pointer finger and another on her left ring finger
For her nails, Divya went with a square shape and a subtle pink color to brighten the dark gown.
Ryan Destiny
Ryan Destiny arrived on the red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals.
Ryan Destiny posed for the cameras outside the "Vie Privée" on May 20 in a dark brown, satin dress with paneling and a high slit. Her short train fell effortlessly behind her matching pointed-toe pumps.
Destiny styled her fashion with a rectangular statement ring on her middle finger for the premiere
"The Fire Inside" actress took part in the square nail trend, adding a pink mauve color on top of her long nail beds.
Length: Ultra-Short
Isabelle Huppert
Isabelle Huppert at "The Richest Woman in the World" Photocall – The 78th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France.
Isabelle Huppert played with her fashion for "The Richest Woman in the World" photocall on May 19, dressing in a two-piece matching denim set with oval-shaped glasses.
Huppert accessorized with only a single metal ring on her right hand
The French actress mimicked her dark-hued sunglassed with a pitch-black nail cilor and extremely short nail beds, no muss, no fuss.
Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne debuted a new do at "The History of Sound" Premiere during The 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 21
Cara Delevingne sent shockwaves through the Cannes Film Festival crowds when she arrived on the red carpet with gothic, shaggy hair and choppy fringe. The model wore a burgundy gown with a black tulle petticoat.
The Chanel muse staked her fingers with diamond rings, adorning each one but her pinky fingers with the jewelry
Delevingne minimized the drama of her look with natural nails, clipping them extra short and keeping them clear.
Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams spent part of her tour break at "The History Of Sound" premiere on May 21
On break from her tour, music artist Gracie Abrams made a cameo at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of "The History of Sound." She wore a halter-neck black gown with intricate beading around the top and all over her matching shawl.
Abrams left her wrists bare and only decorated her hands with two statment rings, one on her middle finger and the other on her ring finger
The "Close to You" singer lightened up the moody ensemble with a simple nail, keeping them short like the rest of her red carpet peers.
Cannes Film Festival 2025 Red Carpet Fashion & Closing Ceremony: Viola Davis, Elle Fanning and More Photos, Live Updates
Launch Gallery: Cannes Film Festival 2025 Red Carpet Fashion: Viola Davis, Elle Fanning and More Photos, Live Updates
Best of WWD
Sign up for WWD's Newsletter . For the latest news, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .
