Noah Lyles' Nail Art Is Miss Pop-Approved
The fashion industry's favorite nail artist calls Noah Lyles THE summer beauty icon.
On August 4th, 27-year-old sprinter Noah Lyles delivered a mind-blowing performance in the men’s 100-meter Olympic final, beating out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson by five-thousandths of a second to win the gold medal in a nail-biting photo finish.
The internet swiftly shifted its attention from Lyles’ win to his dazzling manicure. His patriotic nail art, which included red, white, and blue stars, crosses, and lightning bolts, stole the post-race show.
While some internet voices criticized or questioned the look, which was not his first flashy race-day manicure, legions of fans cheered the world’s fastest man leaving stringent gender norms in his wake.
Fans even took to Lyles’ Instagram account to share the far-reaching impact of his expressive style.
And now, a top fashion industry manicurist and editorial nail artist has weighed in with a bold declaration about Lyles—a beauty star is born.
"Noah Lyles not only arrived at the Olympics with a mani, he got them redone. He was a champion even before he medaled,” said Simcha Whitehill, known in the industry as Miss Pop Nails. “I love that he’s championing nail art for men. And I also absolutely loved his crown of pearls. I’d argue he’s THE it beauty icon of summer 2024.”
Back in my Lucky magazine days, I wouldn’t dream of walking through the doors of Condé Nast at 4 Times Square without a fresh manicure. At the time (we’re talking pre-Instagram) I wasn’t hip to nail art and considered a manicure just another thing I had to do to elevate my corporate presence. A work task. A chore.
Then one day, Simcha Whitehill, aka Miss Pop, and her hand-painted nail art came onto my radar via the Lucky editors. Suddenly I was pulled from the the sheer pink doldrums of my go-to—Essie’s inconspicuous Ballet Slippers—and thrust into a world of colorful polish, artistic designs, and nails as FASHION.
Throughout her expansive career, Whitehill has created runway nail art for some of the biggest names in fashion, her work has appeared in countless editorials, and some of your favorite celebrities probably have her on speed dial.
If there was an Olympic event for nail art, Miss Pop would be the gold-medal-adorned GOAT.
"Noah is being himself and enjoying the moment,” Whitehill continued, addressing Lyles’ nail art naysayers. “Why does he need to justify self-expression when it comes to fashion and beauty? No one asks him why he wants to be ‘so extra’ in athletics.”
Lyles’ over-the-top nails, Whitehill said, remind her of a beloved track-and-field icon that, perhaps, paved the way for athletes like him.
"All the nail artists in my generation grew up idolizing Florence Griffith Joyner.
To me, this is her impact,” said Whitehill.
Nail art, she added, is a self-care act that can help anyone look and feel their best—even those performing at the Olympic level.
“I do my hair, I do my makeup, but I don’t see any of that once I step away from my bathroom mirror. What I do see are my hands. Nail art is the beauty ritual I do for myself,” said Whitehill. “I think, from what the Olympians are saying, this too is something they do to express themselves, to show their pride, excitement, and style.”
To achieve a look similar to Lyles’ Olympic nails, especially a star-spangled design, Whitehill suggests a simple DIY hack. Stickers!
"I’m sorry to say, stars are not the easiest thing to paint. You’d need a striper brush and a steady hand. I’d recommend buying cosmetic glitter stars like [the ones] by Olive + June.”
Though Lyles’ 2024 Olympic journey is over (the runner bowed out early following a bronze medal win in the men's 200-meter final, and a heartbreaking Covid diagnosis), the gold medalist is walking away having also scored the adoration of the beauty industry by being unapologetically himself.
”The only place Noah Lyles is looking to prove himself is on the track,” said Whitehill. “I really respect that.”
For endless nail inspo and to keep up with Simcha Whitehill’s work, follow Miss Pop on Instagram.
Love Miss Pop!!