From Long Island origins to star-studded red carpets, Elle Gerstein, known professionally as @enamelle, transforms nails into bespoke masterpieces, blending technique, creativity, and glamour.
In the world of high-fashion beauty, Elle Gerstein, widely known by her Instagram handle @enamelle, has carved a distinctive niche. A native of Long Island, she began crafting nails at just 17. Today, her artistry graces the hands of Hollywood icons like Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, and Lindsay Lohan. With more than 30 years of experience, Elle fuses innovative techniques with timeless elegance, proving time and again that “you’re never fully dressed without a manicure”.
Roots and Rise
Born in Freeport, Long Island, Elle’s journey began in her family’s home, where her father’s nail-supply business became her playground. She started experimenting early and launched her professional career in salons right from high school. By the time she was in her late teens, she managed over 80 clients a week and mastered acrylics, leading to her catching the eye of J.Lo, a partnership now spanning more than two decades.
A-List Clientele & Signature Techniques
Elle’s impeccable work has earned her a cult following among celebrities:
- Jennifer Lopez: Elle updated J.Lo’s viral “milky manicure” with a regal “Bridgerton twist” on the singer’s 55th birthday, blending CND Moonlight & Roses with metallic filigree.
- Blake Lively: Elle’s micro-floral and butterfly-nail creations became a talking point during Lively’s “It Ends With Us” press tour, showcasing intricate, delicate nail art.
- Lindsay Lohan & J.Lo: Elle mastered the dramatic “cat-eye” (or velvet) magnet nails, employing a magnet to achieve a mesmerising, multi-dimensional iris effect.
- Additionally, stars like Kelly Ripa have sported Russian manicures from Elle – a trend that emphasises meticulous cuticle work and longevity.
Her clientele extends further to Natasha Lyonne, Gigi Hadid, Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, and many others.
Artistic Philosophy
Elle approaches nail art as an extension of personal style, not just a beauty trend. She integrates trends like chrome, aura, cats-eye, flocking, and ink, often layering them within a single manicure for custom elegance. From Pantone’s “Fuzzy Peach” to leafy sage, she adapts seasonal palettes while honouring individual expression.
Elle’s revival of the French manicure showcases her attentive understanding of style evolution. Once a “Long Island stigma,” she re-introduced it with flair in square shapes, underscoring that style choice remains deeply personal .
Innovating Trends: Glass Nails
Elle’s influence extends beyond celebrity secret-keeping; she’s also a trend inventor. She expertly guides the creation of glass nails, a glossy, translucent style achieved by layering magnetic polishes and jelly topcoats to create depth and dimension. She even offers easy on-salon and DIY application tips, making luxe manicures accessible to everyone.
The VIP Experience
Elle’s clientele isn’t limited to the Hollywood elite. She treats every client like a VIP, though accessing her calendar can take time, bookings are scheduled months ahead via social media outreach and deposits .
Elle’s services extend beyond individual salon work; she actively educates. With decades of industry experience, she mentors aspiring professionals and shares wisdom on cutting-edge nail sculpting, color choices, and texturing .
Media Presence & Authority
Elle’s influence spans major magazines like Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Allure, Cosmopolitan, and L’Officiel. She’s collaborated with big beauty brands including Clinique, Maybelline, and CND, cementing her role as a go-to industry authority .
Her Instagram and Threads feeds (13K+ strong) are regularly refreshed with behind-the-scenes glimpses, witty captions, and creative shot reveals, hallmarks of her relatable yet trend-forward persona.
Conclusion
Elle Gerstein’s path from Long Island’s nail-supply rooms to the glamour of Tinseltown isn’t just about celebrity service, it’s about artistry grounded in authenticity and innovation. Whether crafting magnet manis, floral masterpieces, or glossier glass styles, her creations strike a perfect balance between elegance and individuality.
With a career spanning decades, Elle continues to redefine luxury nail artistry. For her, nails are not mere accessories; they’re identity, creativity, and self-expression. If your heart beats for next-level manicures, Elle’s work is both inspiration and invitation: they shows what is possible when mastery meets imagination.
