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Manicure styles for brides

• French: for the traditional bride
• Pinks, whites and peaches: for a sweet and pretty look
• Deep and bold: for dramatic effect

Article Tags:  bridal manicure, bridal makeup

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Nail it!

Danielle Meloney

01 April 2011

So you have picked out the dress, you know how you will be doing your hair, but it is the little details that will make your wedding the day of your dreams.

It is fun to get swept up in having beautiful bridal makeup on the big day, but make sure you don’t forget one little detail: your nails.

If anything, this is the most attention that your hands will ever get! They are front and centre in the most important part of the ceremony — when you and your husband will slip those delicate wedding bands onto each other’s fingers — so you have to make sure that your nails sparkle as much as your dress!

Here’s our guide to finding the bridal manicure for you:

French
The French manicure will never go out of style. It has been the traditional choice of brides around the world for years, as its classic pink base and white tips provide brides with a pretty and demure look that is admired by all. This look is great for brides who wish to have simple yet eye-catching nails, as it is fresh and natural. However, as the French manicure is so traditional, there are many that believe that it has become far too common to be worn on their special day. If this is the case for you, you may want to mix it up a little with the following suggestions.

Pinks, whites and peaches
If you like the ideas of sweet, pretty nails but feel that the French manicure is far too common for you, why not paint your nails soft pink, sheer white or creamy beige? There are many different shades of these colours out there — it’s simply a matter of searching for the ideal one for your skin tone. Pinks, whites and peaches never fail to make a girl feel like a princess, just make sure that before you get your nails all polished up you go to the nail salon and get your nails to immaculate condition.

Deep colours
Who said a bridal manicure had to be sedate? Deep and bold colours will never fail to make your hands stand out. If you wish to have hands that have a dramatic effect, you may want to try a deep wine red or a dark burgundy. However, don’t forget that the best way to rock darker nails is to make sure that they are trimmed to just past the fingertips and evenly filed. No one wants to look like they have dark, long, talon-like nails on their wedding day!

Some tips to ensure that you have your ideal nails on the big day:
• Before you apply anything, make sure that you buff your nails to give them a natural and smooth appearance.
• In order to get a salon look, shape your nails into a square. This will give you a neat and finished look.
• Always use a top coat and a base coat — this will ensure long-lasting colour and a sparkly shine that will stay on for days after the ceremony.
• Spend some time trying out colours so you find a colour that complements your skin tone. Remember, just because a colour looks good on someone else doesn’t mean it will look good on you.
• Finally, make sure you have your nails done the day before the wedding. Having a messy, chipped manicure on your big day would be terrible.

Follow this helpful guide and you’re sure to have gorgeous polished nails when throwing the bouquet!