Rihanna is known not only for her music and incendiary shows, but also for being one of the few female stars of the day who, despite being relatively young and fresh on the scene, truly have the power characteristic of genuine trendsetters. Although initially snubbed for that note of controlled messiness her outfits always had about them, and for the obvious element of playfulness, the singer is just now beginning to be seen for her real worth in terms of fashion.

Take, for instance, her recent appearance on the red carpet at Capital FM’s Jingle Bell Ball, where she also performed, together with many other acts. Dressed in chic black and going for a powerful contrast with a shiny necklace that seemed to almost bear down on her with its sheer weight, Rihanna did not fail to breathe more personality into her outfit with what has been deemed a truly daring fashion statement: smiley painted nails. 

While funnily painted nails have been all the rage since we can remember, it’s not that often that we get to see them on the red carpet – or, for that matter, being ever so proudly displayed for all photographers to see.

The fact that it’s Rihanna who’s doing so should be no surprise by all means, since she was also the one to bring Mad Max-like outfits back in showbiz with her shows (silvery eye-patch included), as well as set the trend of mixing and matching colors that we would have never thought would go well together. 

Once more, with something that could have easily been brushed aside as a childish or altogether inappropriate little thing, such as smiley painted fingernails is, Rihanna shows that she may be young, but when it comes to being fashionable and original, she knows best. Because she simply goes with what her inner voice is telling her.