Selena Gomez’s Manicurist Tom Bachik on How to Get A-List Nails at Home

Of all the nail artists in Hollywood, Tom Bachik may be the most sought-after of all.

As the genius behind the perfectly manicured nails of boldfaced names, including Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Camila Cabello and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, Bachik has no shortage of glamorous celebrity clientele at his, well, fingertips.

That’s why whenever he suggests a game-changing product, the beauty world takes it as gospel. His current obsession is Olive & June’s at-home Gel System, which promises to bring the red carpet manicure, including Bachik’s, to the masses.

The newly launched kit features all of the tools you need to create A-list-worthy nails, including a peel-off base coat, custom pink LED lamp and nondamaging salon-speed soak-off system. At $115, the six-polish system comes out to just $2 per manicure.

Bachik used the same tools on Gomez as part of her glam for the Fourth Annual Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles last month. As he exclusively told Us Weekly, Olive & June’s latest offering outperforms everything else in his manicure kit.

“When I compare it to other nail systems, some have great colors, but the formulation isn’t the best; some are a little bit thin and runny; some can get thick over time; and some have a terrible brush.” The foolproof brush, Bachik explained, is what sets the system apart — and what makes it so appealing to non-professionals and experts alike.

“I like a product that’s going to make my job easier to do,” he said. “Especially for the DIY-er at home, that’s so important. They have a great brush, which makes it easier to apply the color itself.” Adding: “Olive & June has done such a great job in putting together the overall package that makes it easy to use, and the results are amazing.”

The same could be said for Gomez’s gala manicure, which Bachik created using Olive & June’s Gel System and the brand’s pitch-perfect metallic shade, “Cosmic Silver.” He was inspired by the Only Murders in the Building’s Tiffany & Co. accessories when imagining a “wet look” manicure that would seamlessly mirror her more-is-more bijoux.

“The whole vibe was that wet, high-gloss look from the hair to the eye makeup,” Bachik said, describing Gomez’s slick flipped-out bob and shimmery silver shadow. The original intention, he explained, was to deliver a solid silver nail to match the glam and the jewelry. However, after applying a single coat, Bachik and Gomez liked the translucent look so much that they opted to skip a second coat altogether, which he explained is a modern new approach to metallics and colors that’s currently taking shape in nail art.

“I loved the semi-opaqueness of one coat and that you can see the natural nail through it,” he said. Adding: “Right now, the trend is texture. It’s chrome, it’s iridescence, it’s a bit of sparkle. As we go into winter and holiday, we’re going to see even more sparkle. It was the perfect transition of what’s happening right now, and what worked best for her look.” For an extra touch of shine, Bachik used Olive & June’s high-gloss top coat “to give it that high-gloss, wet finish,” plus a few drops of their award-winning cuticle serum.

Just as fresh was Gomez’s abbreviated nail length, which Bachik revealed were the actor’s natural nails. They filed them deliberately short with an almond shape instead of the usual coffin-style talons that typically dominate red carpet season this time of year.

“To me, nails are the ultimate accessory,” Bachik said. “It really is the finishing touch, because if you change the color, you can change the whole vibe of the look.” With 28 shades to pick from, there is no shortage of ways to switch up your manicure this season. But Bachik has his personal favorites for 2024, which will no doubt help guide the at-home manicurist as they select one of the brand’s many new hues on offer.

In addition to scene-stealing metallics, like Gomez wore, Bachik is loving magenta and burgundy hues, like “XOXO” and “Mulberry,” which he said is perfect for a “sassy” look. He also prefers navy polish, like “Suited,” over black, and jewel tones, such as the emerald look of “Dancing Green” and amethyst and deep purple, like the color “Plaza.”

Fortunately, Gomez’s seemingly endless lineup of little black dresses that she’s worn while promoting her forthcoming film, Emilia Pérez, has given Bachik plenty of room to play with color, which he said makes all the difference in transforming her look. Or as he put it, “go from chic and demure to trendy and elegant.” Making it all the more seamless, Bachik shared his simple regimen for achieving the ultimate celebrity manicure at home.

How-To: Selena Gomez’s Cosmic Silver Gloss Manicure
Step 1: Create the perfect foundation using Olive & June cuticle remover with Tweezerman tools, a pushy and nail cleaner.
Step 2: File nails to a short, almond shape.
Step 3: Paint nails one coat using the Olive & June shade, “Cosmic Silver.”
Step 4: Follow with Olive & June’s high-gloss topcoat.
Step 5: Massage on Olive & June’s cuticle serum to create a glowing finish.

Shop the Olive & June At-Home Gel Manicure System now at oliveandjune.com.