If you’re in need of some fresh, fun nail art inspiration, look no further than Taraji P. Henson‘s latest set. The Golden Globe-winning actor’s 2025 BET Awards manicure incorporated some of our favourite summer nail trends, and it’s just the thing to cool off a hot summer day – or turn up the heat on a simple milky manicure.

You may have missed Henson’s nails at the ceremony, as she appeared onstage floating 20 feet up in the air, clutching a flaming bouquet of roses and delivering a monologue before Teyana Taylor‘s performance. Tucked into that bouquet was her manicure, a pearly white delight painted with icy metallic silver swirls. Luckily, we’ve got a close-up shot of the set so you can pore over every gorgeous, intricate detail.

Henson’s nails were created by her longtime nail artist, Temeka Jackson, who also works with Jennifer Hudson, Quinta Brunson, and Saweetie. Jackson described the textured, 3D look as a “nail slay: a crisp, sheer white base with metallic silver chrome detailing – the ultimate show-stopping finish.” Henson’s long, stiletto-shaped nails were a pearly white colour with slim silver swirls drawn across the each nail in varying lengths and and patterns.

Jackson used Après Nail products to create the look, including the brand’s Gel-X Tips, which she prepped and painted with the ballet pink shade Spring Sigh. After curing each coat under an LED nail lamp, she applied a matte topcoat and let that cure under the light. Jackson used a fine liner brush and 4D gel polish to create the silver swirls, then topped the swirls with silver chrome pigment. Once the nails were set, she applied Après Nail’s Non-Wipe Glossy Topcoat over the entire nail and cured the set for a final 60 seconds to lock everything in place for the evening.

Adding swirls or blobs of metallic silver is a fun way to play with texture and colour. Megan Fox even spelled out “boys suck” on her nails in metallic silver to promote her book Pretty Boys are Poisonous! If you’ve got a steady hand, flex your DIY skills with an at-home mani – even a few drops or swirls of silver nail polish will do – or ask your nail artist to add some silver to your next set. So cool.

This article was originally published on Allure.