Keke Palmer Brought Chevron Nail Art Back from the Dead—See the Photos

If I had to choose a print to describe the early 2010s, it would absolutely be chevron. The zig-zaggy, diagonal stripe pattern was everywhere: pillows, walls, dresses, even on our nails. It defined the decade! Like pastel skinny jeans and mason jar weddings, the chevron obsession faded after a few years, but Keke Palmer is bringing it back from the dead with a glamorous molten gold mani that feels like a red carpet-ready, modern take on the Pinterest mainstay.

Palmer, who just dropped her new album Just Keke, wore the mani in question to the 5th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards, where she accepted the Spirit Award. Her nails were a long, soft stiletto shape and painted a creamy, milky white color. Instead of the traditional tight, zigzag chevron pattern you’re probably thinking of, however, Palmer’s mani was a stylish fusion of a French manicure and chevron nail art, with metallic, shimmery gold painted in a curvy V-shape at the tip. That same shape was continued throughout the nail, including a slim V drawn right underneath the golden tip and a thicker shape at the base of the nail—exactly the kind of manicure you’d want to wear while scooping up a shiny blue trophy! For a subtler take, try Jennifer Lopez’s “couture chevron” interpretation, a soft French manicure with exaggerated, V-shaped tips.