Celebrity Nail Artist Ashlie Johnson Brings Polished Charm to a South Bay Haven

This interview is different. Instead of sitting across from my subject with a notepad, I’m in the chair, hands soaking as celebrity nail artist Ashlie Johnson tends to my manicure. Between brushstrokes and easy laughter, it becomes clear why her clients—including Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler, Scarlett Johansson and Rashida Jones—swear by her touch.

“I wanted it to feel like home,” she says, her tone calm and thoughtful. “Somewhere you can come in, take a breath and feel cared for.”

That philosophy inspired the name of her business. “Jaunt means a short pleasure trip,” she explains. “To me, that’s exactly what getting your nails done should be: a tiny escape from your day.”

The name also reflects her love of travel and discovery. “Most of my clients are getting ready for a trip or a special occasion, and everything I carry here—from the products to the candles—comes from other places and small, women-owned businesses I admire,” she says. “And, of course, I’ve spent so many years ‘jaunting’ around on set, driving from one shoot to the next, it just felt like me. Plus it sounds pretty great with my last name,” she adds with a laugh.

Ashlie’s journey began far from the red carpets and brand campaigns she’s known for today. She grew up an only child with a mom she describes as very creative.

“She was always sewing, painting or making something. I think that’s where I got it from,” says Ashlie, who remembers flipping through fashion magazines for hours, captivated by the smallest details. “I was obsessed with how everything came together—the makeup, the styling, the nails. It all told a story.”

That creative foundation shaped her signature style: understated, elegant and clean. Her meticulous artistry has since graced the hands of Maya Rudolph, Sofia Vergara, Maria Sharapova, Ana de Armas, Maren Morris, Billie Eilish and Dakota Johnson, among others. Yet her approach remains deeply personal.

“I’ve always seen nails as an extension of self-care,” she says softly. “You’re literally holding someone’s hands. There’s something grounding about that. People open up—it becomes a real connection.”

Long before “clean beauty” became an industry mantra, Ashlie was pioneering luxury nail care that prioritized nail health over mere aesthetics. “I started focusing on the health of the nails and using only the highest-quality products to create a more elevated, luxurious experience,” she says. “I think that’s what set me apart and why I’ve had such loyal clients for so many years.”

That dedication led to one of her proudest collaborations: working with Chanel, where she helped define the brand’s modern nail aesthetic. “I actually pitched it to them,” she says, smiling. “I believed in what I was doing. It made sense. It was all about craftsmanship, care and timelessness.”

At Ashlie’s business, those same values come to life in every detail. There’s just one manicure chair, placed near the front window so you can sip your coffee and watch Highland Avenue drift by. Shelves are lined with hand-selected products: candles, creams and polishes from female-founded brands that Ashlie discovered on her travels. Everything feels thoughtful. Intentional.

“I love that it’s quiet here,” she says, finishing a final brushstroke. “People walk in and immediately relax. It’s not rushed, it’s not loud, it’s just time for yourself.”

There’s something deeply human about the ritual she’s created. For a woman whose work has graced Oscar stages, Met Gala carpets and the pages of Vogue, Ashlie radiates an easy warmth that feels wholly South Bay. “I love that people are surprised when they realize the salon is open to the public,” she says. “You don’t have to be famous to come in here. I just want everyone to feel welcome.”

As we wrap up, the morning light shifts across the room. Outside, surfers glide by on bikes, the scent of espresso drifts through the air, and my freshly polished nails catch the sun like little mirrors.

“I think beauty should be simple,” Ashlie says as she tidies her brushes. “It’s about slowing down and taking care of yourself. That’s luxury to me.”

And just like that, I understand what she means by a “short pleasure trip.” Inside Jaunt Beauty Co., time stretches in the gentlest way—a quiet escape, a touch of beauty, a moment just for you.