Jennifer Lopez Just Made "Astral Nails" the Shimmery Mani of the Summer

Jennifer Lopez is the definition of a trendsetter. From plunging Versace dresses to glazed donut skin (before it had a name), JLo has long been at the forefront of beauty and fashion innovation. Every red carpet moment is a masterclass in glam, and her recent appearance at the American Music Awards on May 26 was no exception. But this time, the spotlight was on her nails—which adorned a shimmering, ethereal look dubbed “astral nails.”

Astral nails are the latest entry in JLo’s long-running catalogue of beauty moments that set the tone for what’s next. The look features a sheer pink base layered with an iridescent chrome finish that catches the light with every movement—and as celebrity manicurist and Sally Hansen Global Nail Partner Steph Stone puts it, "are like staring into a bottle of champagne bubbles."

At the AMAs, the nails played off her sleek metallic gown with just the right amount of contrast—soft where the dress was sharp, luminous where the fabric was structured. The result was a celestial, otherworldly detail that tied the entire look together. Created by her longtime nail artist Tom Bachik, the look feels fresh, dimensional, and quietly futuristic.
Subtle but far from boring, JLo’s astral nails are already making the case for a softer kind of statement. Keep reading for the details behind the look—and exactly how to pull it off.

How to Get The Look
Recreating JLo’s nails starts with a solid foundation. According to Tom Bachik, it’s all about prep—he used his go-to tools from the Tom Bachik x Tweezerman Ultimate Nail Care Set to perfect her nail beds before applying the extensions. For length, "Jen’s loving a longer nail right now but not too long," says Bachik, so the duo opted for a medium coffin-shaped Gel-X extensions from Aprés Nails. The shape gives just enough drama without crossing into impractical territory.

The real star of the look, though, is the finish. Bachik used Aprés Astral Flash Gel in Santo My Palo, which delivers a high-shine, multidimensional sparkle that shifts with the light. The effect is ultra-reflective and layered, with glitter, chrome, and sheer elements working together to mimic a crystal-covered circuit board—echoing JLo’s futuristic performance outfit. It’s not just glitter, either. It’s depth, dimension, and a little sci-fi fantasy wrapped into one.

If you’re looking to get in on the trend without the full salon setup, Stone suggests playing with glitter tones that feel atmospheric, like champagne bubbles, stardust, or anything that looks like it belongs in a galaxy far, far away. “Though she chose to achieve this look with golden glitter, you can recreate it in any color tone you love—as long as it looks like you’re looking into outer space,” she says. Press-ons are also fair game. Stone recommends Sally Hansen Perfect Press On in Hyp-Nautical for a fast, no-dry-time option that mimics the same iridescent glow and tapered shape JLo wore on the red carpet.