Nail Files: How L.A.-Based Manicurist Zola Ganzorigt Created Hailey Bieber’s Glazed Donut Nails

A lifestyle. To me, your nail is like your outfit. Nowadays people express themselves through their nails—it shows who they are.

How should you feel leaving the salon?

My clients say they feel so relaxed. Because I do a lot of house calls, I want them to feel safe in their private space and have the best feeling when I finish. I want to see the excitement in their eyes.

Favorite local salon or nail artist that you look to for inspiration?

I really like Amy Le Nails in L.A., she’s super talented. Chaun Legend, he’s a stylist—different mind—but I love his work. I really respect every single manicurist, especially [when they’ve been] working for a long time. You have to be so patient in this industry, it’s really competitive.

Go-to shape?

Medium length oval shape, the Hailey shape. I have it too. Even though I do different kinds of art, my main goal is for my clients to have naturally long nails, and the most efficient nail shape to grow your nail is the oval. It doesn’t break as easily. And it also looks more feminine to me.

Gel or regular?

Gel polish, especially when it comes to design and it lasts long. And on set it has to dry as fast as possible.

Defining color?

I mostly do nudes but every person has a different skin tone so every shade of nude looks different on them. Mostly I mix different combinations of three different colors: OPI Bubble Bath, Put it in Neutral, and Bare My Soul.

OPI Bubble Bath Nail Polish

OPI Put It In Neutral Nail Polish

OPI Bare My Soul Nail Polish

Clean and simple or next-level art?

I have to customize it depending on my clients’ interests. For myself, I love nude nails. Recently I’m doing every different shade of the glazed donut nail—it’s now my go-to thing.

Favorite products for prepping your nails and hands?

Nail prep is the most important part to keep your nails healthy. I really like Orly tools and cleaning products to prep. A common mistake I see is when people clean the cuticle but they don’t clean up the nail bed.

Orly Cuticle Pusher and Remover

CND Solar Oil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner

OPI Bond Aid pH Balancing Agent

Matching mani-pedis: a must or rule meant to be broken?

It’s good if you’re coordinating your look, but I always mismatch myself. I don’t really care if it’s matching or mismatching. You can do whatever you want!