Emily Blunt’s Nail Artist Reveals Secrets for a ‘Runway-Perfect Mani’ in ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’

Ever dreamed of achieving a celebrity-level manicure? It’s not as difficult as it might seem.

The beauty looks of Emily Blunt in “The Devil Wears Prada 2” were a standout feature, not just for her but for the entire cast. However, it wasn’t solely the result of excellent skin care or makeup.

Julie Kandalec, Blunt’s nail stylist, shared on Instagram the details of their collaborative effort to craft a unique manicure for Blunt’s character, Emily Charlton. The selection involved carefully picked nail shades that aligned well with the character’s role as a fictional Dior executive.

In a particularly memorable scene, Emily is portrayed wearing eye masks and sporting a breathtaking aquamarine and diamond necklace from Tiffany & Co., accompanied by a rich, dark manicure achieved using Essie’s Always Morphing Nail Polish.

Essie Always Morphing Nail Polish

Kandalec mentioned that she and Emily evaluated numerous shades before settling on this captivating color, which they paired with Essie’s base and top coats to ensure durability.

Inspired by the manicurist’s description of the polish as a “deep, near-black brown with a subtle shimmer that catches the light,” I immediately went out and bought the same shade.

Indeed, the color is striking and vibrant, offering more depth than a standard black polish.

Although Blunt frequently wore Always Morphing throughout the movie, they did vary her nail color to match different outfits.

“For a scene where Emily is exceptionally blonde, we went with a bold, fearless red. There’s something incredibly vibrant about a classic red nail on a blonde — it’s very Debbie Harry,” Kandalec explained about one of the movie’s final looks.

For that vibrant red, they chose Essie’s Bordeaux, a deep wine color that pays homage to classic red shades.

Essie Bordeaux Nail Polish

Many reviews praise this shade for its beauty and long-lasting nature.

For a glamorous gold outfit worn by Emily in Milan, Blunt and Kandalec opted for something as bold and dramatic as her Schiaparelli dress.

They selected the metallic shade Good As Gold, adding gold leaf flakes for extra flair before sealing it with a top coat.

Essie Good As Gold Nail Polish

Although it may sound complex, Kandalec assures that the application is “really easy to DIY,” and that shimmering flakes are available in various colors.

Each of Emily’s nail designs started with Ready.Prep.Go, a cuticle softener, and was completed with Apricot Cuticle Oil for a flawless manicure, as Kandalec describes it.

It’s a revolutionary approach to nails, perfect for spring or any season.

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This article was written by Erica Radol, Page Six Commerce Reporter. Erica is skilled in uncovering the top anti-aging skincare secrets used by celebrities and reporting on the latest fashion collaborations and deals. Prior to her role at Page Six in 2025, she covered entertainment, lifestyle, and shopping trends for various notable publications including Us Weekly, The Daily Beast, Entertainment Tonight, Well+Good, and Hearst.