Her longtime manicurist calls it the “femme fatale mani”—here’s how to wear it now.
If you’ve ever screenshotted a celebrity manicure for your nail tech, odds are at least one was Selena Gomez’s. From barely-there neutrals to full-on nail art, the singer, actress and Rare Beauty founder has spent years as a certified mani muse, with her longtime manicurist, Tom Bachik, behind nearly every set.
What fans may not know, however, is that one of her most-saved looks is five years old. Bachik recently reposted a 2021 set he’s now calling the femme fatale mani for fall, as reported. Ahead: what makes the look, why it feels so 2016 (in the best way), how to get it safely—and the easy at-home version.
What exactly is the “femme fatale” manicure?
It starts with Gomez’s signature almond shape, painted a matte oxblood that’s basically fall in a bottle. Then comes the hardware. A few nails have tiny gold hoops pierced through the tips, and two others feature a small gold crescent with a stud set just above the cuticle. In Bachik’s caption, he said he’s into deep, vampy shades this season, plus “some hardware to bring some edge.”
Why does it feel so 2016?
One of Bachik’s followers said exactly that, and they have a point. Matte finishes, burgundy shades and dainty gold nail jewelry were everywhere a decade ago. Seeing the look land again in 2026 shows that mid-2010s grunge-meets-glam still has serious staying power.
Her nails are quite literally iconic—so how do you get pierced nails safely?
Leave the piercing to a pro. Nail technicians pierce the free edge of a gel or acrylic extension, not the natural nail, which is usually too thin and can split. Ask for an almond shape with enough length past your fingertip to hold a hoop, and keep hoops to one or two accent nails so they don’t snag.
Try it: Book a gel extension appointment and bring a screenshot of Bachik’s post. Most salons that do nail art can add piercings or charms on the spot.
Can you DIY a no-piercing version?
Absolutely. Paint a deep wine polish, finish with a matte top coat and press tiny gold charms into a dot of nail glue or builder gel near the cuticle. You’ll get the same moody-meets-metal look with no commitment.
Why it works: A matte top coat makes deep shades look velvety and modern, while gold accents keep it from reading as too heavy.
Okay, but will it last?
Matte finishes show wear faster than glossy ones, so plan on a fresh coat of matte top coat every few days. Charms set in gel can last the full two to three weeks of a gel manicure.
Shop the Look
Similar picks (Ewaglow’s choices, not used in Gomez’s manicure)
- OPI Malaga Wine — a classic deep wine shade for the oxblood base.
- essie bordeaux — a rich burgundy alternative.
- OPI Matte Top Coat — turns any shade velvety.
- Gold nail charms (hoops and crescents) — for the no-piercing version.
