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Just when you think quiet luxury has given way to the eclectic fashions of Y2K, Ryan Murphy’s biopic romance drama, Love Story, drops on Hulu, and the coveted styles of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy bring it right back around. But while the former Calvin Klein publicist was best known for her clothes, beauty enthusiasts were also taken by the late model’s cosmetology, including what became her iconic clean-girl manicure.
According to journalist and television personality Carole Radziwill, Kennedy leaned into the minimalist side of 90s fashion. This reflected across her clothing and beauty choices, including the state of her nails at any given time.
“She had long, strong slender fingers and her nails were always neutral or nothing at all; buffed and impeccable, but simple,” Radziwill told Sunita Kumar Nair in CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion. And because Kennedy’s tidy manicure was so minimalistic, it’s easy to mimic. You don’t even need an appointment at the salon to nail it — just a set of press-on nails.
Get the Glamnetic Press-On Nails in La Perle for $18 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Kennedy’s go-to mani may have been neutral polish or nil, but nude nails aren’t always impeccable. Whether you’re dealing with a break or chip or have an unsteady hand for applying polish, it’s still possible to channel Kennedy’s tips with Glamnetic’s under-$20 press-on nails. While the brand has many neutral and nude press-ons to experiment with, our favorite Kennedy-adjacent style is the La Perle. The faux tips are French-inspired with a squoval shape and glazed finish.
One package yields 30 nails in 15 sizes, so you can find your perfect fit and keep extras on hand, just in case you need a touch-up. The set comes with everything required for a seamless application: a storage box, tube of nail glue, double-sided nail file, cuticle stick and alcohol pads. The best part? The nails last up to two weeks, and removing them is even easier than application. Simply soak your hands in warm water for 10 minutes or so, and gently lift them off the nail from the sides.
This writer can vouch that Glamentic nails are worth the hype — most nails stay on up to the full two weeks as promised (a few naturally pop off here and there when you’re working on a computer every day, cook a lot, etc.), and reviewers of the product agree. One spoke to the La Perle style, specifically, saying they “really love the short square oval shape — super natural-looking and comfortable for everyday wear.” Another raved over the neutral color, describing it as an “elegant French tip with a pearl essence that makes them perfect for going out and every day,” and noted that they “are somewhat transparent which elevates the look but they also cover any imperfections in your nail.”
Bessette Kennedy’s style was the epitome of quiet luxury. Her minimal (yet somehow always impeccable) manicure fits the profile and remains the clean-girl nail look of our dreams. You can make this effortless mani your reality with these Glamnetic’s press-on nails. They’ll last up to two weeks of wear, for under $20 a set.
Get the Glamnetic Press-On Nails in La Perle for $18 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more press-on nails here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
