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9 wedding nail ideas that don't suck
Because it's a big day for you and your nails.
Now that you’ve gotten your engagement ring selfie out the way, you have another very serious decision to make: WTF you're going to do with your nails for your actual wedding day itself. By default (or, like, crippling indecision?), most brides tend to stick to barely there nudes, soft pinks, or just plain ol' clear. But, I'm a major proponent of everyone feeling 100 percent themselves on their big day—even if that means choosing an untraditional manicure. So whether you skew more classic or cool, I found the nine prettiest wedding nail ideas that will make you want to say "I do." Twice.
Classic Pink
Nothing says bridal like the most classically feminine shade of modern times: Pink. Just don’t forget to add a long-lasting top coat (I love Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Clear, £5.99) for a chip-free finish that will last well into your honeymoon. Need some subtle-pink shades? Try Deborah Lippmann in Before He Cheats, £16, for lighter skin tones, or Jin Soon Nail Lacquer in Nostalgia, £15, for darker skin tones.
Classic White
I know, I know—matchy-matchy can feel so early aughts, but just like a white wedding dress will never go out of style, neither will a matching crisp-white mani (which means no nail-trend regrets 20 years from now). Keep it simple with a pure-white shade (try Essie Nail Color in Marshmallow, £7.99), or show off your personality with some nail decals or freehand nail art.
A Touch of Blue
If you want to pay homage to the "something blue" tradition, try adding it to your nails with Dior's Periwinkle Polish, £21, in either an all-over coat or within a nail design, like this half-moon mani.
Modernized French Tipes
If you’re not into a traditional French-tip manicure, but still want the clean, minimal look, try this new twist on an old classic. Just freehand thin strips of Nails Inc White Out Nail Polish, £11, over clear-coated nails, and boom: You've got a 2019 upgrade.
Confetti Nails
Let's be honest: A wedding is pretty much a big-ass party with your closest friends and family. So, go all out with this sophisticated sparkle that says, "Hello, I'm refined," rather than, "HOLY SHIT, I'M GLITTER."
Try OPI's Gold Key To The Kingdom, £13.50, a clear, gold confetti polish, or make your own by sprinkling Gold Iridescent Rhombus Glitters, £3.17 on top of your still-wet nails, then topping the whole thing off with YSL's Quick Dry Top Coat, £20.
Neutral Tones
Alright, fine—technically, this is right in line with old-school traditional, but who am I to judge a standby favourite? Try Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Sheer Happiness, £9.99, for fair skin tones, Smith & Cult in Ghost Edit, £18, for medium skin tones, and Butter London 3 Free in All Hail The Queen, £12 for dark skin tones.
Rule-Breaking Red
Don’t @ me, but I firmly believe that a bold red is 100 percent acceptable on your wedding day. Why? Because it looks great on every skin tone, and it adds a subtle pop against your crisp white wedding gown. Orly's Breathable Treatment + Colour, £11.99, is our polish of choice.
Juicy Peach
Not quite pink, yet not quite nude, peach is the latest hue seen on bridal runways, and, soon, your entire social media feed. Try a soft, peach-pink shade for lighter skin tones, and OPI Yank My Doodle, £11.50, an apricot-peach colour, perfect for deeper skin tones.
Iridescent
The perfect balance between out-there and barely-there, use IsaDora Nail Glow, £8.95, to recreate this iridescent design, to make your wedding day just a touch more fun. If, you know, that's even possible.
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