Lilac Is The New Black, According To Selena And J Lo’s Manicurist

Chances are you’re still in dark winter manicure mode–most of us are, until signs of spring appear—that’s our cue to opt for lighter shades again. And while it’s only February, that hasn’t stopped J Lo and Selena Gomez’s go-to manicurist, Tom Bachik, from declaring that “purple is the new black.”

He doesn’t mean a deep shade of indigo or vampy dark purple, either. He’s talking soft lilac, an unusual shade typically reserved for the warmer months. But what is life without a little (beauty) rule-breaking on occasion? It’s how most interesting looks come about, and if anyone knows how to instigate a trend, it’s Bachik.

A video of Gomez at the premiere of Lola (her friend, Nicola Peltz Beckham’s, directorial debut), captured her powdery purple nails, which were particularly visible set against her silken white corset and black suit. Bachik said he used the “Promises” shade from Apres Nail’s Strawberry Milk Chocolate palette to achieve the look. While most of us are used to polishes stored in little glass bottles, this innovative nail “palette” houses 16 different gel formulas, which stay put as they’re thicker in formulation.

But back to the color. Super flattering on every skin tone, lilac may be an unexpected shade for winter, but it’s a great color to complement most looks–the trick is to avoid pairing it with an ensemble that’s overly girly or candy colored. Think grown-up and cool, rather than twee and cute.