12 of Her Best Manicures Ever

Publish date: 2024-06-03

Playfully glamorous is the best way to describe Selena Gomez’s nail looks, ranging from cool classics to vivid and bedazzled.

An ongoing relationship with nail artist Tom Bachik has delivered a wealth of striking manicures, each furthering Gomez’s red-carpet looks and more casual ensembles while inspiring larger trends. Case in point: For the SAG Awards this past weekend, Bachik painted Gomez’s short nails a cherry red, a timeless choice that elevated her icy Versace dress.

Past mani moments have featured glitter and shine, candied colorways, nudes, and noir; all teamed with shapes that ensured the look felt fresh and—most importantly—fun. 

Here are 16 of Gomez’s most memorable nail looks.

Old Hollywood, 2024

Instagram @tombachik

To up the ante on her referential bombshell moment (replete with custom Versace), Bachik opted for a bright cherry polish (specifically Essie Gel Couture in VIPlease) pained atop a simple short nail that paired with a brightened Bordeaux pedicure. 

Black Cherry, 2024

Instagram @tombachik

This custom color by Bachik is a perfect meeting of vamp and subtle goth glam. Elongated oval nails painted layers of black and deep purple polish are finished in a red chrome powder for some playful shimmer—and a multi-faceted hue. 

Patent Leather, 2024

Instagram @tombachik

The shiniest leather is reimagined as a radiant onyx manicure in this high-gloss look for the 2024 Golden Globes. Two coats of Essie’s Licorice were all that was needed to play up a custom Armani moment. 

Lip Gloss, 2023

Instagram @tombachik

Bachik’s viral ‘lipgloss nails’—sumptuous nudes finished in a glossy coat—were afforded extra glamour for Gomez, her long coffin manicure serving the correct dosage of drama. 

Golden Glaze Fire, 2023

Instagram @tombachik

Here, Gomez’s bright and bold manicure was designed to mimic a blazing fire. A custom, chromatic blend of red and iridescent gold glaze team together in a smoldering moment furthered by a long nail and equally radiant diamond baubles. 

Bubblegum Disco, 2023

Instagram @tombachik

Barbiecore left no detail untouched and undoubtedly inspired this glittering pink polish job. The disco-sparkle manicure is made particularly playful via a bubblegum pink foundation, specifically Aprés Gel Couleur in Sweet Cheeks.

Icy Shimmer, 2023

Instagram @tombachik

Frosted white makes for a Y2K take on a neutral hue. Mia Secret in White Peony is topped in an iridescent shimmer for a luxurious yet accessible medium-length moment. 

Iridescent Sparkle, 2023

Instagram @tombachik

Mini stiletto nails are a solid choice all on their own, but a 3D encrusting of glitter (or, in this case, Swarvoski Pixie Dust) takes the look over the top. 

Skittle Nails, 2022

Instagram @tombachik

More color, please! Those who have trouble selecting a single shade would do well recreating Bachik’s Skittle-inspired manicure, which features oblong nails painted in their own solid pastel pops— the ultimate look for springtime and beyond. 

Sunset Yellow, 2022

Instagram @tombachik

For the premiere of Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, Gomez opted to embody the brighter aspects of her journey with a few coats of a tangerine yellow pulled over a short manicure. “Sunset yellow for our sunshine girl,” captioned Bachik of the buoyant look. 

Olive Green, 2022

Instagram @tombachik

Olive green is a chic near-neutral that’s been dominating the nail scene over the past few years. For Gomez, an elongated coffin mani and a single-tone olive lean sophisticated, seasonless, and effortlessly cool. 

Chic Black, 2022

Instagram @tombachik

This noir paint job offers extra drama via a coffin nail and a high-shine finish—the perfect pairing for an onstage LBD. 

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