Rihanna Just Proved This "Off-Season" Manicure Is Always On-Trend

When you think of fall manicures, you likely imagine something dark and moody. A chocolate brown or a vampy black cherry are usually the go-tos. But butter yellow? That practically screams spring!
Not according to Rihanna. Just last night, the singer and pop-culture icon sported a pastel, butter-yellow mani for the Fenty Hair launch at Selfridges in London (with a pale-yellow teddy coat to match!), proving that this trending color has actually become a year-round staple. Keep scrolling—we grabbed all the details from her manicurist below.
We can thank celebrity nail artist Jenny Longworth for the bright nail debut. Longworth (who also works with Harry Styles, FYI) dubbed the look "melted butter," since she added a chrome topper for some subtle sparkle (you know, just like a glistening pot of heated butter). She used The GelBottle Inc's Gel Polish in the shade Queen Bee and then topped it with the brand's Iced Chrome Pigment.
Butter-yellow nails are nothing new (the color has been trending among the fashion set since last spring), but "melted butter" puts a fresh spin on the sophisticated mani. It's bright yet muted, which makes it relatively easy to pull off year-round (as opposed to a coral "Palm Beach grandma" lacquer). Butter yellow might not be the most obvious choice for a fall manicure, but it can certainly add some life to an autumnal outfit.
Not to mention that it pairs well with any palette. Wearing all gray? A pale-yellow mani can brighten up the ensemble. Opting for browns and hunter greens? Butter yellow complements those earth tones quite well. Loving burgundy outfits as of late? Yellow digits provide a gorgeous contrast.
As you can probably guess, Rihanna's manicure has made me rethink everything I knew about fall nail trends. Catch me with butter-yellow tips instead of my usual moody plum! After all, when Rih gives a beauty trend her stamp of approval, I'd bet all my money it will become the next big thing.
Shop the Trend
Finally, she layered on this topcoat "for the ultimate finish."
This one's even milkier, so much so that it almost reads winter white.
This option leans a bit brighter than the typical pale butter yellow. Still, it's so on-trend.
Here's another popular (and affordable) chrome powder. Act fast—it's almost sold out!
For melted butter nails in a pinch, you can't go wrong with these press-ons.

Jamie Schneider is Who What Wear’s senior beauty editor based in New York City. With over seven years in the industry, she specializes in trend forecasting, covering everything from innovative fragrance launches to need-to-know makeup tutorials to celebrity profiles. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English before moving to NYC, and her work has appeared in MindBodyGreen, Coveteur, and more. When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty finds, Jamie loves scouting vintage boutiques and reading thrillers, and she’s always down for a park picnic in Brooklyn.
-
What's the Difference Between a $50 and $16 Self-Tanner? I Tested Both At Once to Find Out
By Alyssa Brascia
-
Hailey Bieber Applies This $20 Korean Jelly Blush on Top of Her Rhode Ones (so Now I Will Too)
It gives her soft, matte, and cloud-like skin.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
All Your Favorite Celebs Book This Lymphatic Drainage Expert Before Events—I Scored Her At-Home Tips
Genius de-puffing tricks ahead.
By Jamie Schneider
-
I Thought I Was Over This "Juvenile" Nail Color, But Rihanna Just Convinced Me Otherwise
Perfect for summer.
By Jamie Schneider
-
Lisa Just Co-Signed Selena Gomez's Go-To Date-Night Nail Color—I'm Sprinting to My Manicurist
This shade stretches way past Valentine’s Day.
By Alyssa Brascia
-
Confirmed: The Watery Nail Trend Is Set to Replace Milky Nails This Spring
Sheer nails just got an upgrade.
By Jazzria Harris
-
Charli XCX Wore This New Designer "Puffer Gloss" While Performing at Coachella
It's selling out fast.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
Ava Phillippe on Her "Fantasy" Brunette Era and the $12 Lip Stain She Bought After Billie Eilish
Read our Unfiltered chat.
By Jamie Schneider