Taraji P. Henson’s “Water Drip” Met Gala Mani Belongs in the Museum Itself

I know it’ll forever be dubbed “Fashion’s Biggest Night,” but I would argue that the Met Gala is also the biggest moment of the year for beauty. Those who normally keep things simple tend to pull out all the stops, and those who normally pull out all the stops go even harder.

Take Taraji P. Henson, for example. Although she always has an amazing manicure going on, she chose the First Monday in May to kick things up a notch, premiering an over-the-top intricate, bedazzled set of nails by artist Temeka Jackson for the Monday, May 6 event.

Complimenting her custom Simkhai gown and flower-bedecked, Diana Ross and Minnie Riperton-inspired updo by hairstylist Tym Wallace, the manicure features a hodgepodge of gemstones, sculpted flowers, and tiny pearls. Jackson crafted the manicure using Apres Nails’ extra-long Sculpted Stiletto Tips, adding the accoutrements (which included custom 3D styles by Etsy shop @glamnailart) before fixing them to her clients fingers.

“I put them on like regular press-ons… However I suggest sizing up,” she explained to a fan who commented on her Instagram post, adding that there’s a special technique to gluing on sculpted nails. In the post’s caption, she also noted that she used products from The Gel Bottle—specifically the brand’s Rubber Base clear base coat, sheer pink gel polish in Marshmallow, and Extreme Shine Top Coat—to complete the look.

“DRIPPING IN BEAUTY,” she added, naming the look “Water Drip Nails” and adding a snippet of Tyla’s song “Water” to really get the point across.

To pull the whole look together, makeup artist Saisha Beecham applied some soft pink pigment to Henson’s eyes, cheeks, and lips.

“I wanted to go with pastel colors especially pink to bring out the subtle [ombré] of pinks in her gown,” she wrote in her own Instagram post, noting that she used makeup by Danessa Myricks and skincare from Dieux to make it all happen.

Over the top? A little. And that’s exactly how it should be.