Beauty
How to Totally Nail Your Manicure on the Big Day
16 May 2024 •6 min read
Your bridal manicure may seem like such a small thing in the grand scheme that is your wedding day, but your nails can be just what you need to pull a cohesive look together.
But wait, what colors do you go for? Should you choose classy wedding nails or something bolder? What about the shape? Quick--French manicure or two accent nails?
Don't worry, we've asked some of the best nail technicians around, and here are the do's and don'ts they recommend.
Do test out polishes for your bridal nails.
Try out different colors for your wedding nails way before the big day so you can find the right one. You don't want to grab any shade at the last minute and later regret how it looks. Plus, you'll want a color that matches your personal style.
"Not all pink polishes are the same on every skin color, so it is essential to try out the nail color a couple of weeks before to make sure you like the color," says Abby Ferguson, nail technician and licensed esthetician at SpaBlue at Del Mar, who suggests having your spouse-to-be taking a few photos of your hands to see how your manicure might look in wedding photos.
I love having a full perspective on how the bride would like to appear, what the color scheme of the wedding is - even how they want to wear their makeup. I always consider the manicure to be the finishing touch on any outfit so it's important that it complements, not overwhelms the final look. I also take into consideration the brides everyday style because I think it's important that she feel like herself on the day of her wedding - not a costume of a bride.
Rita Remark, @ritaremark, celebrity manicurist & essie global lead educator
Do pick out a high-quality nail polish.
Whether you're going for a classic French manicure or ombre wedding nails, your nail polish needs to last at least until the end of the festivities. If you need a bridal mani that will last long (and by long, we mean two whole weeks so you can keep your nails looking great for the honeymoon!), try these gel couture nail polishes from essie.
These gel-like polishes last up to 14 days, and you can apply them at home without any base coat or UV lamp. Your nails will resist chipping throughout your wedding events, but you can easily take them off like regular polish afterward.
Do get your nails in shape before the wedding day.
What's your ideal mani? Rounded tips? A square shape? Or something pointy? Even the best bridal nail ideas will only work if you have the right nail shape for them.
"Nail shapes can be very trendy," says Mylynn Nguyen, also a nail technician and licensed esthetician at SpaBlue, who says it's common to get a different nail shape for the wedding day than the shape you typically wear.
The biggest mistake is not to have the groom manicured! There are so many photos of hands taken on the wedding day (especially because of the rings) and it'd be a shame to have unruly groom nails ruin the shot! Another would be to choose a regular lacquer. There's so much that can happen on the wedding day and the last thing you need is chipped polish. Opt for a long wearing polish like essie's gel couture. This polish is formulated to be extra long-lasting and preventing chips. Be sure to always wear it with the gel couture topcoat for optimal wear, lasting up to 14 days with reapplication of the topcoat on day 7!
Rita Remark, @ritaremark, celebrity manicurist & essie global lead educator
Do make sure your mani and pedi match.
Even if you're not used to matching your mani and pedi, it's a good idea to keep your wedding nail style in sync.
"It will look better in photos and give a more elegant and classic look for the bride, say Nguyen and Ferguson. "If you do want different colors for your manicure and pedicure, make sure your toenails are a darker color than the fingernails to create the best look."
Do be ready for touch-ups.
A smudge, a chip, or a ding can blemish your bridal nails. Once you decide on the perfect polish, buy a bottle for a touch-up if needed. Even with a gel manicure, you probably won't need touchups, but it's best to be ready just in case.
Pro tip: Ask your nail artist or technician for the exact name and shade of polish they used on you so you can have it on hand on the big day.
Do consider getting matching nails for your bridal party.
Having matching nails with your bridesmaids can look amazing when you line up for photos. If you want something to separate you as the bride, go for the same color but in a more elegant style. Matching nails can also help you pull off a cute photo with just the bridal party's hands in the frame!
Plus, looking for pretty wedding nail ideas together can make for a cute and intimate bachelorette party activity.
Don't go too bold.
Even if you love bright pinks and bold blues, accent nails, or fun nail art, hold off on showy colors for your wedding nails. Bold hues can be distracting from you, your wedding band, your dress, and your flowers, so stick to a classy wedding nail design.
"Lighter colors wear better and are a great compliment to any wedding theme colors," says Ferguson, who recommends simple bridal nail ideas like white polish, pale pinks, neutral lacquer colors, or French tip wedding nails. These simple wedding nail designs also won't wash out your wedding ring, especially if you're wearing silver and diamond.
Don't get a gel wedding manicure too far in advance.
Sure, gel manicures last up to a few weeks, but that doesn't mean it's going to last if you get one two weeks before the big day.
Make sure to book your manicure and pedicure appointments the day before the wedding, which will limit the chances of you doing some serious damage. It's also a good idea to give your natural nails a rest a few weeks before your big day so they look the best once you finally get them done.
If you'd like to wear your nails long, then I'd recommend you begin a healthy nail care regimen of "on a roll apricot cuticle oil" several times daily to hydrate and fortify your nails, regular manicures with cuticle care and nail strengtheners like "hard to resist" up to two months before the big day.
Rita Remark, @ritaremark, celebrity manicurist & essie global lead educator
Don't spray tan AFTER getting your wedding nails.
You want your skin, not your nails, cuticles, and hands, to glow on your wedding day. That's why you need to be careful about using tanning products.
"Avoid getting a spray tan right after your manicure or even using tinted lotion," says Ferguson, explaining, "It can discolor the light pink and white nail colors."
Don't take a soak in the tub.
A bath may seem relaxing the night before the wedding, but it's not a good thing for your nails. The hot water can cause your nails to chip or crack. After all the time you spent getting your nails done, that's the last thing you need to happen at the last minute!
Don't do any house cleaning.
While you probably won't be scrubbing the sink right before your wedding, steer clear of any house cleaning once you've gotten your wedding manicure.
"Hold off on cleaning, washing dishes, or gardening for one to two days to keep your nails and cuticles looking their best," advises Nguyen.
If you absolutely must do housework, wear gloves to protect your nails, especially if you're wearing French tips that tend to chip off faster.
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