
Polka Dot Nails Are the Retro Summer Trend Making a Big Comeback
Polka dots have started creeping back into nail art trends this summer, too. From micro-dots that play on 'quiet luxury' and monochrome detailing to louder, bolder dotted prints and mismatched accents, polka-dot nails have shed their cute connotations and the old-school print is being revived for summer '25.
'Polka dots have exploded in popularity this season, offering a refreshing shift from more intricate designs or, conversely, super-minimalist looks,' agrees Daisy Kalnina, CEO and founder of The GelBottle Inc. 'We're seeing some really fun variations on the polka-dot trend this summer, from classic black-and-white to more vibrant color combinations. We're also seeing techs playing with scale—from delicate micro-dots to bold, oversized spots that make a real statement,' she notes.
The allure of polka-dot nails 2.0 is simple: They're both elevated and cool but highly versatile, too. 'The versatility of polka dots is a huge factor owing to its popularity, as they can be combined with other trends effortlessly—think butter-yellow or pastel dots over a sheer base,' she adds.
While intricate nail art such as polka dots can be tricky to master if you're not a pro, Kalnina says you can achieve the nail art yourself, provided you have the right tools and techniques. 'The easiest method is to use a dotting tool, but if you don't have one, a bobby pin, a toothpick, or even the end of a dried-out pen can work for creating perfect small dots,' she shares. 'The trick is to dab a little of your chosen polish onto a piece of foil, then dip your chosen tool into it before carefully creating your desired pattern on the nail.'
Below, Kalnina breaks down the manicure trends to note for summer 2025:
Teeny-tiny white polka dots on a chrome base add a minimalist touch while still feeling like an upgrade to a classic glazed or glass manicure.
To play with monochromatic detailing, why not mismatch your hands with black-and-white bases and contrasting polka dots?
French tips are the perfect way to embrace the trend in a more subtle manner. Just ask your nail tech for a dotted French manicure or use a dotting tool at home.
For a nod to polka dots that still feels subtle and chic, this soft nail art ticks all the boxes.
Though it has a dark base, this inverted manicure still looks fresh and playful for summer.
Lemon yellow is dominating as the heatwave sets in. This French manicure pairs perfectly with subtle gold polka dots and a bold zingy yellow tip.

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Elle
38 minutes ago
- Elle
The Most Stylish Espadrilles To Buy Now, According To ELLE Editors
Nothing says summer quite like a standout pair of espadrilles. This timeless shoe is the perfect complement to breezy linen sets, flowy sundresses, and the quintessential Spanish aesthetic. Whether you're aiming for a refined and sophisticated vibe or a laid-back beachy look, this versatile style deserves a place in everyone's summer shoe lineup. Espadrilles have a history that spans millennia, and their enduring popularity is no coincidence. Originating in the Pyrenees region of Spain and France, these humble shoes were once the footwear of choice for soldiers and labourers, prized for their affordability and durability. Over time, espadrilles have evolved from practical staples into the stylish, trendy shoes we know and adore today. So, how should one style this classic shoe? Consider pairing a statement wedge with a midi skirt, an off-the-shoulder top, and a mini bag for a vacation-ready ensemble, or style an espadrille sandal with knit shorts and a lightweight T-shirt for a relaxed daytime look. From Mary Jane silhouettes and unique platforms to gladiator-inspired straps and easy slip-on mesh styles, ELLE editors have rounded up their favourite summer espadrilles you're sure to love. The fashion set has fallen in love with Loeffler Randall's whimsical shoes, and their classic red and cream espadrilles are no different. 'Searching for the perfect, versatile summer shoe? These Mary Jane espadrilles effortlessly blend two of my favorite styles into one fun silhouette. The airy crochet knit, paired with the classic espadrille sole, not only looks charming but also keeps your feet cool and comfortable in warm weather.'—Laura Tarafa, commerce writer 'There's a reason everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to the Capitol's politicians loves Rothy's shoes: They're comfortable. And lately, the sustainable shoe brand has been making some seriously cute silhouettes. Case in point: the Espadrille Mary Jane. I feel like these will give my looks that French-girl level of chic—and in black, they give an edge that feels a little more in line with my personal style.'—Dale Arden Chong, senior fashion commerce editor I love Madewell for its timeless staples—including the chic footwear selection. This thong sandal, featuring delicate leather straps in rich caramel, is a versatile choice that can be easily dressed up or down. 'The Rolls-Royce of espadrilles that go with everything. Castañer's black canvas style is the perfect height and features a sloped heel to keep you from slipping. Case closed.'—Claire Stern Milch, digital director With its gently sloped arch and supportive ankle strap, the Manon Espadrille offers lasting comfort for all-day wandering. Crafted from velvety-soft leather and detailed with supportive crisscross straps, this elegant, sturdy pair is sure to turn heads—especially when styled with ankle-grazing denim or a gauzy cotton midi dress. 'I got these espadrilles on a whim a few summers ago, and I'm so glad I did. They have that classic, lace-up silhouette, but the wedge heel isn't too tall, so they're still comfortable and easy to walk in. They're great for those outdoor outings when you're spending most of your time on your feet. Case in point: At Cannes this year, I raced from my hotel to a screening on foot in these shoes—and made it just in time.'—Erica Gonzales, deputy editor, culture Isn't this combination of contrasting trim binding and a Mary Jane silhouette just delightful? Naguisa, known for its beautifully handcrafted espadrilles from Spain, brings comfort and sophistication to every pair. I can't recommend its polished styles enough! Embrace the tomato-red color trend with this bold espadrille from Anthropologie. A practical option for stylish city strolling, this daring shade adds a hint of intrigue to any ensemble. Laura Tarafa is a Commerce Writer at ELLE. She is responsible for writing fashion and beauty stories, assisting with production and research tasks, and providing administrative support. Laura grew up in North London and later relocated to Dallas. She studied Design Management and Marketing at the University of North Texas and later worked for Kohl's Corporation. In addition to her professional experience, Laura has personal aspirations in interior design and art. When she's not rearranging spaces or doing digital illustrations, you can find her at her local coffee shop, window shopping, or taking her dogs for walks in the park.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
I Tested Three Celebrity Chefs' Scrambled Egg Methods—This Was The Clear Winner
As the developer of Delish's best diner-style scrambled eggs, I set out to find the best way to make soft scrambled eggs. I cooked through recipes by three celebrity chefs to find my favorite technique. I evaluated each recipe based on the taste and texture of the finished eggs, as well as the ease of making them. I'll be honest: I may have perfected my favorite technique for fluffy diner-style eggs, but I'm a novice when it comes to the art of the soft scramble. In search of the ultimate technique, I turned to the experts: celebrity chefs known for their cooking prowess—and in some cases, their expertise with eggs. I cooked and tasted recipes from three celebrity chefs: Gordon Ramsay, Ina Garten, and Bobby Flay. I evaluated each recipe based on the flavor and texture of the finished eggs, as well as my experience making them. Here's what I learned, and which celebrity's eggs I would make again and again. Method #1: Gordon Ramsay Gordon Ramsay's soft scrambled eggs are practically in the culinary hall of fame, so naturally, I started there. His technique, which is actually a classical French method called oeufs brouillés, begins with cracking eggs into a pot, not a pan, adding a tablespoon of butter, and placing the pot over high heat. Ramsay cooks the eggs, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds, then takes them off the heat, still stirring, for 10 seconds, and repeats this pattern for 3 minutes more. Right at the end, he stirs in a little crème fraiche and seasons with salt. I'll admit that this process felt a little frantic for me. The short, timed intervals and use of high heat, combined with constant stirring, made me feel like I was on a wild hamster wheel of egg scrambling insanity. At the end of the time, I was concerned that the eggs were still too underdone to come off the heat, but I trusted the process and pulled them off as instructed. Indeed, they were perfectly cooked, with a silky texture and rich flavor. I was slightly stunned at how wonderful they were. I would have eaten the whole plate, but I had two more methods to test. Method #2: Ina Garten Ina's approach couldn't be more different. She starts by whisking eggs and half-and-half in a bowl with salt and pepper, then heating butter in a 10-inch pan on low heat until the butter is almost melted. Then the eggs go in and sit undisturbed until they start to cook on the bottom, which, as she notes, can take 3-5 minutes. Garten then uses a rubber spatula to scrape the cooked egg off the bottom of the pan and fold it into the uncooked egg on top. As the eggs start to get "custardy," she stirs more rapidly. While she doesn't give precise timings for when the eggs are done, she says they should come off the heat before they're fully cooked. She then whisks in cold butter to stop the cooking process. The recipe I was following recommended truffle butter, but in an effort to keep all the tests comparable to one another, I stuck with regular butter. I found Garten's eggs to be less rich and silky when compared to Ramsay's. I also noticed small firm bits of egg interspersed among the more custardy texture of the rest. I'm guessing this was from the eggs that were set on the bottom of the pan at the beginning. Overall, I wasn't a fan of that mix of textures. I also didn't like this process as much—letting the eggs hang out on low heat while I stood and waited for the perfect moment to start stirring drove me a little crazy. I found myself second-guessing when to start stirring—and when to take the eggs off the heat. Method #3: Bobby Flay Bobby Flay's technique is arguably the most straightforward, although it's not without its quirks. He adds butter and crème fraiche to a cold pan, then whisks eggs and black pepper together in a bowl before pouring them over the dairy in the still-cold pan. He then puts the pan over medium-low heat and stirs constantly until the eggs are "three-quarters" of the way cooked before turning off the heat. He also waits to salt the eggs until this point, claiming that this makes them more silky and smooth. I have to admit it felt a little strange stirring eggs with lumps of unmelted butter and crème fraiche floating in them. I couldn't help but feel that they were interfering with the evenness of the cooking, and I was also wondering if they'd distribute evenly among all the eggs by the time the eggs were cooked. When it came to the finished eggs, the texture of Flay's was similar to Garten's, but without those firmer bits of egg that Ina's had. They were custardy but not as creamy or silky as Ramsay's—and honestly, even though this recipe used more crème fraiche, I couldn't really taste it. I'm guessing this was because the flavor was diminished by the cooking process. Which Celebrity Chef's Scrambled Egg Method Is Best? Gordon Ramsay's eggs are in the culinary hall of fame for a reason. I wasn't totally sold before I made them, but I'll now admit they're worth every bit of their hype. Between that slight tang of the crème fraiche and the rich, silky texture that was just a cut above the other two, they won without question. I even found that, when all was said and done, I actually preferred the energetic cooking method to the slower processes used by Bobby and Ina. That might say more about me than it does that specific technique—but I'll let you be the judge there. You Might Also Like Insanely Easy Weeknight Dinners To Try This Week 29 Insanely Delicious Vodka Cocktails


News24
2 hours ago
- News24
Royal devotion – Princess Charlene and Prince Albert are more united than ever
It's the highlight of the Monaco social calendar, a soirée that oozes glitz and glamour while raking in cash for worthy causes. A seat at a table at Le Gala de la Croix Rouge – or the Red Cross Gala, if you don't speak French as the principality's Benoni-raised princess has learnt to do – will set you back €1,400 (about R29,400). But people do cough up – and this year there was something extra special for the guests to get excited about. Prince Albert II, the leader of the tiny enclave on the shores of the Mediterranean, was marking the 20th anniversary of his reign – and who better to honour him than his wife. READ MORE | SEE | Monaco royals celebrate 20th anniversary of Prince Albert's reign Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene, who was once looked down upon for not speaking French and struggled to be accepted by notoriously snobbish Monégasques, took to the stage to deliver a moving speech in the local lingo to the black-tie-and-ballgown crowd. 'Today marks exactly the 20th anniversary of your accession,' she told her husband, who was seated among 800 guests in the famed Monte-Carlo's Salle des Étoiles ballroom on 12 July. 'Twenty years ago, you took the reins of the principality, and since that day, you have guided Monaco with wisdom, courage and determination. Your wish for unity and serenity for Monaco has been your guideline.' Charlene (47) then added her own personal touch for her 67-year-old husband. 'Albert, you know I am always by your side, along with the Monégasques. We are standing with you with all our hearts to protect Monaco and its future under your leadership.' We love you, we support you and we thank you for being there for all of us Princess Charlene The former South African Olympic swimmer lived up to her style-queen credentials in an ethereal light-blue silk gown by Elie Saab paired with a dazzling diamond necklace. It was an outfit befitting the prestigious event, which has a history stretching back 70 years. From 1949 to 1958, Albert's father, Prince Rainier III, chaired the event, and from 1958 to 1982, the honour fell to his mother, Hollywood screen icon Grace Kelly – and thanks to her connections, it attracted acting royalty in the form of Elizabeth Taylor and Gregory Peck, and the likes of former US First Lady Jackie Onassis. Princess Grace's granddaughter, Camille Gottlieb, paid tribute to her in an Elisabetta Franchi dress similar to one the Oscar-winner wore in the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock movie Rear Window. 'This ball is an opportunity for us to come together around a cause that's dear to us and touches us deeply,' said Camille (27), who was there with her mom Princess Stéphanie (60) and brother Louis Ducruet (37). Following Charlene's speech, 10 members of the Prince's Carabinieri – Monaco's military guard – performed a moving version of the country's anthem, which saw a visibly touched Albert joining in. A few minutes before midnight, he officially opened the dance floor with his wife to Coldplay's Everglow, and the evening closed with a bang with a performance by veteran English rocker Billy Idol, who played over 10 of his biggest hits. For guests, it was a night to remember. 'The gala is one of the biggest drawcards in Monaco,' one said afterwards. 'And Albert's anniversary made it all the more special.' READ MORE | 'Breach of trust': New controversy rocks Monaco royals as former wealth manager claims tax fraud When Albert took over the principality after his father died, it was largely seen as a tax haven for the super-rich – a principality that lived up to writer William Somerset Maugham's description of it being 'a sunny place for shady people'. Rainier focused on transforming Monaco into an upmarket tourist destination, developing luxury hotels and glitzy casinos. He also ensured owning property in the principality came with stringent bank-account checks – you had to have a certain level of wealth to own a slice of this seaside pie. Things aren't all that different in that regard today – sports cars still line the streets, designer shops glitter on litter-free roads, and heaven help dog owners if their pooches relieve themselves anywhere other than fenced-off poo-parks. But Albert's vision is more encompassing than the financial success of his country. He's passionate about the environment and is the only head of state to have travelled to both the North and South Poles to highlight the dangers of global warming. He's deeply committed to the welfare of his countrymen and women and in his first year as ruler founded his Prince Albert of Monaco Foundation, a global non-profit organisation committed to preserving the health of the planet. In a recent interview, Albert said he wanted to ensure a future Monaco that's 'proud of its values and its past, serene, prosperous, responsible and united'. He likened leadership to sport. 'You can train very thoroughly and prepare for every scenario, but there are always unforeseen events – and you have to respond as best as possible. What drives me is my love for my country, my sense of duty and the trust the Monégasques place in me Prince Albert 'Governing means anticipating, but also facing challenges with loyalty and resolve. In Monaco's history, we've always found ways to secure our future – even in tough and uncertain times. If we stay united, enthusiastic, innovative and supportive, we'll have one of the happiest futures possible.' Part of that future are his 10-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella with Charlene. And for Jacques, his son and heir, he hopes to 'hand down to him a principality that is neither quite the same nor entirely different'. Supporting Albert along the way is Charlene, who remains a steady rock by his side despite constant divorce rumours. On 2 July they celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary, an occasion marked by an Instagram post of the couple at the Formula One Grand Prix in Monaco earlier this year. The princess certainly seems to have put behind her annus horribilis of 2021, which saw her stuck in South Africa with ongoing medical issues and beset by rumours that her marriage was on the rocks. There was also speculation she wasn't happy in her role as princess, and felt ostracised and lonely in Monaco and longed to be back in South Africa. But these days, she and Albert seem more united than ever, and she appears to be throwing all her weight into helping him run Monaco instead of coming back regularly to SA. 'Charlene is emotionally more invested in Monaco now,' a source close to her told YOU. 'It appears she's far more comfortable now than ever in her role as princess.'