Image Source: Courtesy of Natalie Minerva [1]

What do you get when you combine your classic french manicure [2] with the kind of dark, twisty optical illusion you'd only expect to see on Criss Angel's Mindfreak stage? Allow us to introduce you to the "shadow" french manicure, a moodier take [3] on the comeback trend [4] that's objectively more fun than watching someone pull a rabbit out of a hat.

The nail art look [5] has seen many iterations in recent weeks across social media, first from the Really Hot Nails [6] Instagram account and on many a For You Pages since, but each one has a common denominator: it features two contrasting colors (like the black and white shown above) painted on along the tips as well as down the base of the nail, only in varying directions with a gradient effect.

It sounds confusing, yes — most illusions are — but Natalie Minerva [7], the celebrity nail artist and mastermind behind the manicures you saw on "Euphoria," [8] can explain.

"What's so cool about the shadow french is the optical illusion part of this set," she tells POPSUGAR. "It's fun because it feels like a playful and modern way to do a traditional french that's really interesting to look at. I always say that I love doing 'french twists [9],' which is taking a french manicure and adding your own custom spin on it."

To get the look, Minerva only used two gel polishes. That's right: contrary to what it might look like, this nail design doesn't feature a chrome finish [10]. "That's why it's so cool; the blending of colors and the optical illusion of it just makes it seem like it's chrome," she says. "It's an amazing trick."

Using the Gelcare Patent Black Leather Polish [11] ($16, originally $20) and Gelcare French Alps Polish [12] ($16, currently out of stock), Minerva started by doing a standard vertical ombré down the base of the whole nail, curing it under a UV lamp between strokes. "Then, I painted the french tip line with the opposing color — half black and half white. I was purposeful in using black and white for stark juxtaposition. I filled in the french curves [with a lining tool] and then blended the french tip as well."

As evidenced below, the end results are trippy, dark, and — dare we say — magic.

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@vrospv0 [14] With the talented @raquelmoura_nails 🤎🫶🏼🤍#nails [15] #nailart [16] #nailtutorial [17] #nailinspo [18] #acrylicnails [19] #frenchtipnails [20] #frenchtip [21] #opticalillusion [22] #opticalillusionfrenchtip [23] #illusionnails [24] #glassnails [25] #nailtech [26] #nailsartvideos [27] #naildesigns [28] ♬ Ungrateful (feat. Key Glock) - Megan Thee Stallion [29]