Jelly Nails Are This Season's Glossiest Handshake

At galas from Palm Beach to Beverly Hills, the nail world is trading matte and French tips for something with more shine: jelly nails, a translucent, high-gloss finish that catches light differently than a standard manicure. The look reads as polished but a little otherworldly, the kind of detail a red carpet photographer notices before the dress. It is less a single color than a finish, which is part of why it travels so easily from a poolside lunch to an evening appearance. Elle counts eight ways to wear it, proof this is a trend with range, not a one-note fad.

With reporting from Elle.