How To Have My Nails For My Wedding

These are the mistakes to avoid, according to experts.

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Is your nuptials day mani on your mind? Picking your nail color, design and blazon of manicure (shine, dip, gel or acrylic, for example) is just one-half the battle when it comes to getting your wedding nails in tip-top shape. There are going to be enough of people trying to catch a glimpse of that brand new wedding band (and your appointment ring if y'all have one). Not to mention all the high-definition, close-upward shots taken by your photographer. To assist you achieve an Instagram-worthy manicure, we tapped experts to notice out the biggest wedding nail mistakes to avoid leading up to the big day.

Nosotros also rounded upward their best advice based on the blazon of manicure y'all decide to get for the occasion. Whether you're rocking bare nails, acrylic nails or dip powder, we've got y'all covered. If you're unsure about what kind of manicure to get, consult your smash technician. They're absolute pros, so they'll be able to recommend what kind of mani to endeavor based on your wedding season, schedule and style. For example, if you want to bolster the shape and length of your nails, y'all might consider an acrylic or dip manicure. Withal, if yous'd like to stick with cleaner products, a non-toxic gel mani or regular polish look might exist best. Read on for everything y'all need to know about your wedding ceremony nails.

Mutual Wedding Nail Mistakes

Equally you prep for your consequence, there are a few mutual mani-related blunders you'll want to avoid. Beneath are the most mutual wedding nail mistakes pros see.

Having Unrealistic Expectations

We encourage you to gather inspiration for your wedding day nails, but it's important to keep perspective. "You lot need to consider your personal skin tone, the length of your nails, your wedding ring and [outfit] to create your own unique look," says Amy Lin, owner of sundays, a clean, non-toxic boom salon and brand based in New York. "Information technology's possible that the design might not plow out to be exactly like yous see in a photo." Not to worry, though. A professional blast technician tin aid y'all achieve a similar expect that volition work best for you lot.

Not Investing in Nail Tools

Fifty-fifty if you're heading to the salon for your wedding ceremony manicure, Evelyn Lim, chief educator at Paintbox, a New York-based salon and smash brand, says it's important to invest in tools for upkeep and maintenance—especially if you're not booked regularly. "You lot will demand clippers, a 180/100 file, a buffer and nippers to trim loose hangnails," she says. Nonetheless, information technology's best to exit any hangnail situations to a professional nail technician. Having these tools on hand tin help you maintain make clean, healthy nails in between appointments. Plus, you lot can even give yourself an calm manicure with them if you'd like.

Going to the Salon with Oily Nail Beds

Another rookie mistake? Heading out to the salon (or sitting downwardly to DIY your nails) with oily nail beds. "Don't put or leave whatsoever oily substance on the blast—like lotion, makeup or serums—as this may lead to premature chipping or lifting," Lim says. That'south right: Even applying makeup with your hands could interfere with your polish. To preclude this from happening, brand sure y'all wash your hands before the engagement and swipe alcohol across your nail plate so you have a fresh canvas.

Using Your Hands Too Much Before the Wedding ceremony

We know that the days leading up to the wedding ceremony can be busy. Just Lin says using your hands too much earlier the event tin can mess with your mani. "You can use your hands excessively and stop upwardly breaking your blast the day earlier the wedding ceremony," she says. "Exist mindful of using your hand and accept intendance of your nails during this time." Retrieve: you can always fix a chipped nail by calling your technician or subtly painting over the bare slice with the same color. Make sure you buy a bottle of your exact nuptials day shade to keep on hand merely in instance.

Failing to Test Out Your Wedding Boom Await

Y'all may be absolutely attack your nail pattern or take no thought where to begin. Either way, it's important to trial a few looks before the bodily day, Lim says. Experiment with different shapes, colors, designs and polishes to find the perfect combination. "[To-exist-weds] practice makeup and hair trials, and nails should not be overlooked," Lim says.

Waiting Until the Last Minute

Lin says this putting off the actual mani is one of the biggest mistakes nearlyweds make. One time you've decided on your wedding nail expect, give yourself ample time to make information technology a reality. Ensure you become your nails done (or pigment them yourself) one to two days before the wedding ceremony. That manner, you lot won't accept to blitz on the morning time of your wedding or worry well-nigh moisture polish while y'all change into your hymeneals clothes or outfit.

Adept Tips for Different Styles of Nuptials Nails

wedding nails couple with wedding nails and bare nails

The options for your wedding day nails are countless. While nude nails, light pink nails and white nails are popular choices, those aren't your only options. You can stone your natural nails, a French manicure, sparkly glitter nails, ombre polish or creative nail art. Another unique idea we love? Painting your ring finger a different color for an accent nail. Whatever you decide, get an Insta-ready mani with these pro tips.

If Y'all're Rocking Bare Nails

wedding nails grooms fixing suits with bare nails

No demand to article of clothing nail polish if information technology isn't your vibe. Your natural nails will all the same expect astonishing with a little TLC. Commencement your prep a few weeks out from the wedding ceremony for best results. Lin says to-be-weds should start using a hydrating cuticle oil before bed to ensure the smash beds look dainty and nifty.

Lim adds that to-exist-weds can use tools to help go their nails in tip-top shape. Buff your nails to bring out their natural shine, clean around and underneath them with a brush and hydrate your easily with a hand foam (look for 1 with SPF to protect from sun damage).

Ii weeks earlier your hymeneals, Lin recommends using a nail strengthener to aid your nails grow faster and stronger earlier your special day. Equally the day gets closer, she suggests soaking your nails in warm lemon water. This will soften your nails and assistance clean them too.

Products to Endeavor:

Sundays Buff kit, $seventy, DearSundays.com

wedding nails hydrating cuticle serum sundays

Sundays Hydrating cuticle serum, $eighteen, DearSundays.com

Supergoop! Hand Screen, $38, Nordstrom.com

If You're Using Regular Nail Polish

wedding nails couple holding bouquet, bride nails light pink polish

One of the biggest mistakes Lim sees is to-be-weds applying polish to oily nails. Any paw lotion, leftover makeup or residual pare care on your easily tin can interfere with the polish'due south adherence to your nail. "Use an booze wipe on the blast plate prior to polishing in lodge to properly remove excess oils," she says.

Lin adds that using a high-quality base coat is important, equally it'll ensure a smooth application. Whether you cull a neon hue, a pastel shade or a artistic boom blueprint, a nice base of operations glaze is key.

One time y'all begin applying polish, Lin says to wait two minutes of dry time between each coat application. Polishing newbies: give it 5 minutes between coats. (Psst: this is especially important if you're rocking a French tip or whatever kind of smash fine art.) "One time the polish is fully dry, apply a liberal amount of cuticle oil and massage into surrounding skin," Lin says.

Wondering how to maintain your mani after yous finish painting? Wear gloves, Lin says (specially if y'all're submerging your easily in water or detergents).

Products to Try:

wedding nails hydrating base coat from sundays

Sundays Hydrating Base Coat, $eighteen, DearSundays.com

Paintbox The Paint Box, $98, Paintbox.com

Olive & June Dry out Drops, $10, OliveAndJune.com

If You're Going With Gel Shine

If y'all're blow-decumbent or but want peace of mind when it comes to chipping, a gel-manicure is for you. Information technology looks the most like regular smooth simply however provides long-lasting results. "It'south important to note that gel smooth works best on good for you nails," Lim says. Have care of your nails leading up to the gel application so that your technician has a strong base to work with.

Lin adds that it's important to carefully select your color ahead of time. "Ensuring y'all're happy with your nail polish color choice is super important, as information technology takes hours to remove and reapply gel colors." If you lot're on the fence about your hymeneals mean solar day color, schedule multiple appointments a few months out from your nuptials to test them out.

It's important to note that certain gel polishes tin can cause your nails to thin, as they bail to your nail like glue and require intense removal processes. That'south why Lin recommends trying a non-toxic gel manicure (or pedicure) whenever possible. PS: If your smoothen starts coming off, don't peel it! It will simply cause more harm to your nail. Caput over to the salon to have information technology professionally removed.

Products to Endeavour:

Sundays Gel Remover kit, $50, DearSundays.com

wedding nails sundays after-gel healing base coat

Sundays Subsequently Gel Healing Base Coat, $20, DearSundays.com

wedding nails helping hands hand cream lush

Lush Helping Hands, $22, Lush.com

If You're Wearing Acrylics

wedding nails groom with sparkly acrylic nails

"Acrylic nails are a great option if you lot are looking to add together length for your wedding ceremony day," Lim says. "I think of these the way one might use hair extensions for their wedding." As you take freedom with the length and shape of acrylics, research the look you're trying to reach on Instagram or Pinterest. Bring in your gathered inspiration to your boom technician so they tin fully understand your vision. "You should also expect into how high yous want the noon and C-bend to be," Lim adds.

However, at that place are drawbacks to acrylics that to-exist-weds should be aware of. For example, they tin can be quite heavy on your natural nails, and they can crusade harm to your nail beds if they're left on also long. Lin recommends removing them within 2 weeks of awarding to preserve the health of your own nails. And while it may be tempting to ask for extra-long nails, keep in mind they could break. Be reasonable with your length requests or ask a technician for their opinion.

Products to Endeavour:

Sundays Afterward Gel Healing Base Coat, $20, DearSundays.com

Olive & June cuticle serum duo, $30, OliveAndJune.com

If You're Getting Dip Smooth

wedding nails dark green sparkly dip manicure

The dip manicure technique involves dipping the nail into colored pulverization and using a clear sealant on top. The result is a sleeky, glam manicure that should remain chip-costless for up to a month. "Dip powder nails are skilful if you lot take weak nails and need a stronger product," Lim says. However, dip manicures tend to wait quite thick (thicker than gel manicures, for reference).

It'south also worth mentioning that there have been sanitation bug around dip manicures. Some salons weren't changing the powder containers between clients, causing adverse reactions and infections. As such, it's of import to thoroughly vet your salon before request for a dip manicure. Additionally, Lin recommends working with an experienced technician, as an inexperienced specialist might accept more time or create actress-thick nails.

Products to Endeavor:

Lather hand sanitizer, $18, Lather.com

Beautycounter hand cream, $18, Beautycounter.com

Grn Goods Buttr Me Downwardly body butter, $20, GrnGoods.com

If You're Using Press-On Designs

wedding nails bride with nude nails holding pastel bouquet

If y'all'd rather skip polish entirely merely still want something on your nails, consider press-on designs. Choose from solid-colored ones, patterned ones or matte ones. Or, look for options with bling for little bit of sparkle. Look through all the sizes, shapes and colors available and then get ready to apply. Prep your nails as you would for a polish manicure: make clean and cut your nails, clear your cuticles and swipe with alcohol for a fresh base of operations.

Adjacent, use the self-adhesive that comes with the nails or opt for glue for a longer-lasting manicure. Bring the nail correct up to your cuticle line and press them on at a downward angle. Employ extra pressure level to the centre of the nail and the sides to ensure it's bonded to the adhesive. Then, use a file to shape them to fit your easily. The removal procedure depends on what adhesive you used. For the self-adhesive tape, remove your press-ons with warm water and oil. If yous used nail gum, soak the tips of your hands in an acetone-based remove for ten minutes. The name of the game hither is experimentation. Endeavor out different brands, shapes, sizes, colors—the heaven's the limit.

Products to Endeavour: