Nailed It

Cardi B’s Bejeweled Super Bowl Manicure Deserves Its Own Trophy

See her “romantic cream” set up close.

February 9, 2026

Who had a better Super Bowl than Cardi B.? While we expected to see the rapper show out to support her boyfriend, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, her cameo in Bad Bunny’s star-studded halftime show was a happy surprise. And although Cardi’s team of choice didn’t take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy this year, she brought her own hardware to the big game.

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Yes, we’re talking about her manicure. Even from a distance, the sparkling gems on Cardi’s nails caught our eye—and thankfully, her nail artist treated us to a closer look. Coca Michelle, a celebrity nail artist known for her ornate 3D elements, has collaborated with Cardi on countless special-occasion sets (from the Met Gala to Paris Fashion Week). For the rapper’s Super Bowl set, she created a “Romantic Cream Mani” with gilded details and emerald adornments fit for royalty.

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For the cream base, Michelle used OPI GelColor “My Vampire Is Buff” on square-shaped GELevate Soft Gel Tips. The color perfectly matched the palette of the halftime show: Bad Bunny also wore an all-cream ensemble, while Cardi B, Karol G, Alix Earle, Jessica Alba, and other celebrity guest stars wore complementary neutrals.

Cardi’s Super Bowl ensemble, styled by Kollin Carter, featured a short flouncy skirt (custom-made by Candice Cuoco), a corseted Zimmermann bustier, bell sleeves, and raw-ruffled edges. “I usually begin my process when I receive the outfit sketches from Cardi’s stylist,” Michelle told Vogue. “Her look is regal and romantic, so I wanted her manicure to reflect that.”