Selena Gomez’s Manicurist Shares His Top Nail Tips

Is Selena Gomez’s french-twist Louboutin-inspired mani your Roman empire? Do you scroll by means of your nail temper board solely to comprehend that Gomez makes up half of it? If the Rare Beauty founder is your inspo for all issues nail art-related, then you could have one man to thank: Tom Bachik.

As a star nail artist, Bachik has labored with Gomez for years and is consistently innovating. He is as humble as he’s proficient, and the famend manicurist does not take sole credit score for arising with these viral-worthy creations. He says each look we see and love is actually a group effort.

“Selena is tremendous collaborative in the case of her nail looks and we each brainstorm concepts,” Bachik tells PS. “She will be set on a vibe or mood for the look. Maybe she wants it to feel elegant, sexy, fun, or happy — that will determine the direction for the entire nail look.”

Gomez is fairly open to any colour or nail shape, he says, however she positively has her go-tos. She likes a sheer nude — “Basically a no-makeup, makeup look for nails,” he says — or deep pops of colour like a glossy ocean blue that she wore for “13 Reasons Why” premiere a number of years in the past; it is of his favorites thus far. She’s additionally a fan of shimmers, chromes, and glazes to raise her nail seems. Anything goes so long as it feels proper. “There’s no trend or color she wouldn’t do,” he says. “It’s just about fitting the vibe or mood.”

We get fed loads of nail how-tos and recommendation, so it may be arduous to determine what’s value following and what’s truly B.S. To lower by means of all that noise, who higher than Gomez’s go-to manicurist to provide us the final word information on caring for our nails? Below are Bachik’s seven nail commandments. Read on to see his greatest nail suggestions (forgive the pun) and how one can get — and preserve — the right mani.

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Tom Bachik is a star nail artist to the largest A-listers, together with Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, and Charlize Theron, to call just some.

Tip 1: Hydrate Your Nails Daily

What’s the primary nail upkeep tip Bachik offers Gomez personally? It’s easy but tried and true: hold your nails hydrated. “I advise Selena and all my clients to keep cuticle oil on,” he says. “Always apply nightly before bed to give it time to set in.” We love the OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil ($11) for this.

Tip 2: Choose the Right Nail Shape For Your Design

Choosing the precise nail form is extra than simply an aesthetic alternative. Bachik says that the precise form will assist stop the nail from breaking. He says it’s a must to be sure that the aspect wall (or the decrease arch of the nail) is sturdy. “If you look at the tip of your nail, it has a C-shape — the curve works like a bridge that supports the nail. If you file that and give yourself a flatter nail, you give yourself the opportunity to break it more easily,” he says.

For those that love lengthy nails, he recommends having the excessive a part of the nail be on the heart of the tip and the thickest half between the cuticle and extension. With an almond or stiletto nail, he says by no means to file upwards; as a substitute, it is best to have the aspect wall come out after which file it into form.

Tip 3: Don’t Over File

Speaking of submitting, you need to be cautious to not overdo it. To form your nails, you may first wish to use a nail clipper — his private decide is from his Tweezerman x Tom Bachik Nail Care Travel Set ($60) — to create your required look. The file is just used to refine the sting.

When submitting your individual nails, he says to verify your fingers are pointed upwards, going through you. Then, think about a line by means of the middle to information you as you file. This helps you make sure that you are submitting issues symmetrically.

Tip 4: When in Doubt, Go Round

Feeling overwhelmed with all of the completely different form choices on the market? (No judgment right here, as a result of identical). When you are really stumped on find out how to lower and file your nails, Bachik says you possibly can’t go mistaken with the final word traditional: a round nail. “A natural to soft round nail works for any occasion,” he says. “Whether it’s shorter or longer.”

Tip 5: Mirrored Nails Go with Everything

Bachik loves a mirrored nail on Gomez (and all his different purchasers, for that matter). Hitting that excellent candy spot of enjoyable and common, a mirrored nail can elevate any look. “Mirrored powders are so versatile; I love to do pearly, opalescent colors,” he says. “They kind of go with everything.”

Tip 6: Cutting Your Cuticles Shouldn’t Hurt

Cuticle care could be a divisive subject, however should you’re like Bachik and are Team Pro Trimming, it is best to know there is a proper and mistaken solution to do it. “True cuticle is dead skin, so it’s OK to remove,” he says. “People are afraid their cuticles will grow back super thick, but this should not happen.” He explains that should you “cut too close to the living tissue, your body senses it as trauma and doesn’t react well to overcutting.”

You simply wish to take away the surplus cuticles, the little bits and items protruding like hangnails. Then, you utilize a buffer to exfoliate, easy, and tighten the remaining.

Tip 7: Tea Bags Can Repair a Broken Nail

To repair a broken pure nail, Bachik says there are some things you are able to do. The greatest answer is to go to knowledgeable and use builder gel to repair it. However, he is aware of not everybody can entry it — that is while you flip to the tea-bag technique.

First, seize a dry tea bag and lower out slightly rectangle from it. The piece needs to be sufficiently big to cowl the break however not too huge that it covers your complete nail. Then, apply nail glue to the piece of tea bag and place it over the tear. Once it units, you may lower off the surplus and file it earlier than making use of a coat of polish.

Audrey Noble is a magnificence author who covers breaking information, writes celeb profiles, and does deep-dive options in regards to the methods race, gender, sexuality, and different types of identification influence society by way of the sweetness business. Previously, she was the sweetness reporter at Allure and has held editorial positions at Vanity Fair and Refinery29. Audrey’s work will also be seen in PS, Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, Bustle, InStyle, WWD, and extra.