Last night on BBC's The One Show, Alex Jones was busy discussing the solar eclipse, I, meanwhile, was looking at her nails. Which, as it turns out, was probably the safer choice anyway – you're not supposed to look directly at an eclipse, but nobody said anything about staring at a very good manicure...
The presenter debuted a pretty strawberry cream set for the occasion, defined by a soft, milky shade that sits somewhere between a classic nude and a ballet blush. It's subtle, glossy and, most importantly, not so pink that it feels like you're wearing pink nail polish. AKA, it's exactly the sort of manicure you'd want to wear for the rest of summer.
The best part? It works with basically everything. White linen, denim, wedding guest dresses, your holiday wardrobe or the black top you've worn three times this week. There's no complicated nail art, either, making it a much more realistic option if you're after something you can *actually* maintain.
And if you're doing it at home, the same rules apply!
Top it off with a high-shine top coat and some cuticle oil, and you've got yourself a mani that deserves more attention than any solar eclipse.
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
