Selena Gomez brought a warm-toned twist to the high-shine glazed donut manicure at the 2026 Emmy Awards red carpet, debuting a sunny chrome nail that feels perfectly timed for fall. Celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik, who created the look, dubbed it a “metallic sunset” manicure — a finish that requires only a single bottle of polish to recreate at home.
The ‘Metallic Sunset’ Manicure
The understated design features a light pink base infused with an iridescent gold shimmer. In a press release, Bachik described the finished product as “subtle but special.” The effect elevates the minimalist pink nails that have dominated summer red carpets — seen on stars like Anne Hathaway, Pamela Anderson, and Hailey Bieber — into an eye-catching golden shift poised to become autumn’s next major nail trend.
Inspiration Behind the Look
“The inspiration was her Louis Vuitton gown. It was like frosted gold, so I wanted that same effect on the nail—a frosted metallic,” Bachik said. “We played with different textures, and Gel by Essie Frost Yourself was the perfect choice for Selena’s metallic frost sunset mani.”
How to Recreate the Look at Home
To achieve the manicure yourself — or request it at a salon — you’ll need Essie’s gel polish in the shade Frost Yourself. Bachik applied two coats of the color before sealing it with the Gel by Essie Shiny Top Coat. The single-bottle simplicity makes the trend accessible for both metallic newcomers and anyone looking to upgrade a classic nude manicure.
Fall Nail Trend Forecast
Whether you’re easing into metallics or simply want to elevate your go-to nude, this soft golden finish captures the glow of a sunset and proves that sometimes one bottle of polish is all it takes to make a statement.
