Chloe Kelly sent a subtle but powerful message to fans with her pre-game beauty ritual

Lionesses star Chloe Kelly’s nails weren’t just pretty– they sent a powerful message about owning femininity in football

Chloe Kelly isn’t just a footballing powerhouse, she’s a beauty girl too. During last night’s nail-biting England vs Spain Euros final, all eyes were understandably on the pitch. But if you zoomed in even slightly, you might have noticed something subtly powerful about the Lioness forward’s manicure: a delicate two-tone butter-yellow and pastel pink polish, perfectly neat, slightly glossy and very intentionally chosen, we think.

In a world where women in sport are often expected to tuck away their femininity, Chloe’s manicure felt like a needed reminder that you can be both– powerful and polished, strong and soft, fierce on the pitch but still into nail art.

We know from her past interviews that Chloe loves her nails, and her go-to is BIAB (builder in a bottle). If you haven’t heard of it, this salon-favourite manicure is known for being ultra-strong yet still natural-looking. It’s widely considered to be the mani choice for those who really don’t want to risk chips, especially for those who need to concentrate on slamming footballs into the back of the net.

It’s not the first time Chloe has used beauty to make a statement, either. At the 2022 Women’s Euros final, Chloe scored that winning goal against Germany, all the while sporting a sleek blonde ponytail and a flawless nude manicure that fans instantly clocked. Since then, she’s embraced beauty as part of her game-day prep, showing that being competitive and caring about your hair, skin or nails aren’t mutually exclusive.

It’s a great reminder for women in sport. For so long, women have had to dull down anything remotely feminine for fear of not being taken seriously. However, when male athletes groom, it’s usually seen as a show of status. Take Cristiano Ronaldo’s impeccably gelled hair or Jack Grealish’s signature Alice band, for example. The two pro players are rarely, if ever, criticised for caring about how they look; rather, it adds to their brand. Their grooming choices tend to be framed as confident or stylish, not vain or distracting.

Still, female players like Chloe are often scrutinised for their choices. When they embrace beauty, whether it’s a fun manicure or a thought-out hairstyle, it’s sometimes raised as a contradiction to their athleticism, or even a signal they’re not serious about the sport. The fact that the forward proudly displays her feminine pink and yellow nails on the pitch proves she’s refusing to bow in fear of being called an unserious player because of her beauty choices.

Chloe’s most recent yellow set was done by @lulusnailszurich, who used The Gel Bottle colours to create the look. The exact yellow shade is called ‘Queen Bee’, and it’s a buttery yellow that has reigned supreme this summer in beauty and style trends.

If you’re wondering whether you can get Chloe’s favourite BIAB-style mani without booking in, you absolutely can. Gel kits have come a long way, and with a decent builder gel, a buffer, and a UV or LED lamp, it’s never been easier to DIY a set at home that won’t snap off if you so much as look at your car keys funny.

Shop DIY gel and BIAB polishes and kits to save on Chloe’s go-to manicure

Though there’s an initial cost to buy a kit, you could save yourself hundreds of pounds on salon manicures, like our head of beauty Zoe did, by learning to do gel and BIAB manis for yourself…

Mylee The Full Works Complete Gel Polish Kit

Shop it for £129.99

I’d recommend spending on this Mylee The Full Works Complete Gel Polish Kit, because it includes a base coat, a top coat, polish remover, polish prep liquid, cuticle oil and eight gel polish shades. You’d have to buy these individually anyway, so you’re getting a great deal by investing in the full kit.

Mylee has also just launched Builder Polishes for £14, which can be used to give a home BIAB manicure.

14-Day Manicure Builder Gel At-Home Kit

Shop it for £94

A full builder gel kit to give you long-lasting nails like Chloe. You can buy individual shades if you need more, but this kit comes with two (and you can select them). Their hema-free formulas also minimise the risk of skin irritation, making it a safe way to do DIY cured nails.

The Gel Bottle’s BIAB Start Kit

Shop it for £102.75

Long-lasting formulations with no chipping or lifting for up to 4+ weeks. This kit comes with 10 polishes and tools to get you going. The lamp comes separately for £119.

*It’s worth noting this is a professional product, and while anyone can order it, it’s advised you sign up for a course to learn how to use products safely and properly. You can see the brand’s course options here.