Pink Lady

Only Emily Blunt Could Make a Hot Pink Manicure Look Demure

Even while wearing a sheer, black, lacy halter top.

Photo: Getty Images

Maybe it’s because I was an ‘80s kid, but there’s just something about hot pink nail polish that, in my mind, exists in an exclusive Venn diagram of video vixens, aspiring real-life Barbies, and gaudy grandmothers (like my late, perpetually bedazzled Grandma Bea). I have never once felt like myself when I’ve worn it, and you really don’t see it on too many celebrities, perhaps because they share that inexplicably restricted perception of hot pink nail polish with me. Which is why I was so pleasantly surprised to see it pop up on Emily Blunt, the epitome of Hollywood ladylikeness.

Blunt attended the Smashing Machine premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, September 8, in a Stella McCartney look that’s a departure from both the Devil Wears Prada sequel-filming peeks we’ve been seeing and her own usual red carpet style. Topping off wide-led, black, pinstripe pants was a black halter top with two triangular cutouts—one open mid-bust and one covered in sheer lace. Revealing even more skin was the strappy back design.

The look was arguably quite racy—and yet, on Blunt, it’s downright sophisticated. Demure, even. And that may explain why the hot pink manicure she paired with it, against all odds, doesn’t give ‘80s party girl but rather cool, mature, fancy yet understated lady. I’d even go so far as to say modern baroness.

Emily blunt poses black pants and a lace halter top
Photo: Getty Images

Blunt, to my frustration, kept her hands in her pockets for the vast majority of her red-carpet posing session, but thankfully, while she was photographed meeting fans, she let the world see that perfect bright-but-not-neon, not-too-dark, not-too-light shade of bold pink.

Emily blunt hold her hands in peace signs in front of fan while wearing a black lace halter top
Photo: Getty Images
Emily Blunt's hot pink manicure
Photo: Getty Images

While I don’t think I’ll be attempting any daring, lacy halter tops any time soon—I salute and envy those who do—seeing this nail polish shade on Blunt has me thinking I may try either OPI Nail Lacquer in Without a Pout or Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer in Tag, You’re It in the very near future.


More celebrity nail inspo:

  • Dua Lipa’s Mid-Century Modern Manicure May Be Her Cutest Tour Nails Yet
  • Sabrina Carpenter’s Confetti French Manicure Brought the Party at the 2025 MTV VMAs
  • Selena Gomez’s Toasted Pumpkin Nail Polish Marks the Unofficial Start of Fall

Now, watch Mariah Carey revisit her music video looks:

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