Emily Blunt's Met Gala manicure was unmistakably reminiscent of Emily Charlton—she chose this $13 Essie color.

Emily Blunt's Met Gala manicure was unmistakably reminiscent of Emily Charlton—she chose this $13 Essie color.

      In The Devil Wears Prada 2, Emily Blunt returns as Emily Charlton, the decisive and sharp-tongued former assistant at Runway magazine. I promise not to reveal any spoilers, but as Andy Sachs would say, she remains "iconic." During the film's promotional tour, Blunt embraced elements of her character's characteristic style, opting for a strict color scheme of black, red, and white, along with structured tailoring and dramatic silhouettes. Her chic beauty looks were also noteworthy.

      Blunt's Charlton-inspired fashion didn't end at the press tour. Last night, she graced the 2026 Met Gala wearing a Mikimoto pearl body necklace valued at an astonishing $500,000. (It's safe to assume Charlton would approve of such opulence.) Her hair was styled in a slicked-back bun, and her makeup featured a stylish smoky eye. For her manicure, she sported a blood-red polish with a high-end shimmer, created using a $13 Essie polish. Continue reading to discover the specific shades her nail artist employed for her fashionable look.

      Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton in The Devil Wears Prada 2 (Image credit: 20th Century Studios)

      The Met Gala Manicure

      Celebrity nail artist Julie K. was responsible for Blunt's Met Gala manicure. She began with a "deep, dark base" and added "a single, intentionally placed circle" on each nail. With the Met Gala's theme being Fashion Is Art, it was appropriate for her to draw inspiration from Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky. "Kandinsky considered the circle to be the most peaceful shape—symbolizing cosmic harmony—making it a subtle yet striking reference to wearable art for this year's theme." Below, you can find the three exact Essie nail polishes used to create Blunt's manicure.

      The Exact Essie Nail Polishes Used

      Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish in Spiked With Style

      If you ever need evidence that gorgeous nail polish shades can indeed come from the drugstore, here it is. Essie's Spiked With Style is a deep, opaque dark red. After performing "thorough nail prep," Julie K. applied two coats to Blunt's nails to achieve a "deep, blood red" base color.

      Essie Nail Lacquer in 3004 Set in Stones

      Once the base color was established, it was time to pay tribute to Kandinsky's artwork. Julie K. opted for Essie's Set in Stones (a shimmery disco-ball silver). She applied it in a circular design on each nail for a touch of high-fashion sparkle.

      Essie Gel Couture Top Coat

      Finally, she finished with Essie's Gel Couture Top Coat for "a high-shine, gel-like finish that looks polished on camera and lasts throughout the night." And that's all. Or, as Miranda Priestly would say, "That's it." Blunt's fashionable Met Gala manicure was achieved with just three drugstore nail polishes, totaling a mere $34. That’s an Emily Charlton-inspired look we would happily embrace.

Emily Blunt's Met Gala manicure was unmistakably reminiscent of Emily Charlton—she chose this $13 Essie color. Emily Blunt's Met Gala manicure was unmistakably reminiscent of Emily Charlton—she chose this $13 Essie color. Emily Blunt's Met Gala manicure was unmistakably reminiscent of Emily Charlton—she chose this $13 Essie color. Emily Blunt's Met Gala manicure was unmistakably reminiscent of Emily Charlton—she chose this $13 Essie color. Emily Blunt's Met Gala manicure was unmistakably reminiscent of Emily Charlton—she chose this $13 Essie color. Emily Blunt's Met Gala manicure was unmistakably reminiscent of Emily Charlton—she chose this $13 Essie color.

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Emily Blunt's Met Gala manicure was unmistakably reminiscent of Emily Charlton—she chose this $13 Essie color.

Emily Blunt's manicure at the Met Gala was absolutely gorgeous. Here’s the exact $13 Essie color she used. And indeed, Miranda Priestly would certainly approve.