Get up close and personal with exclusive, inspiring interviews and taste profiles delivered with a cheeky twist to your inbox daily.

Success! You’re all signed up. 🎉
Please enter a valid email address.

By subscribing to our email newsletter, you agree to and acknowledge that you have read our Privacy Policy and Terms.

2 Non-Traditional Wedding-Appropriate Nail Polish Jobs

French manis need not apply.

Weddings
2 Non-Traditional Wedding-Appropriate Nail Polish Jobs

Call it what you’d like, but nail art hasn’t gone anywhere. Okay, so it might have taken a temporary backseat to the washed-out-barely-noticeable-nude or the, gasp, completely bare (hopefully manicured. Guys, trim those cuticles, for the love of…) nail, but it’s never completely disappeared— just do a casual Youtube or Pinterest search and you’ll see we mean. Instead, nail art has (happily) taken on a new pared back identity so to speak, one that even the mono-polish types could get behind. And since the solo shade nail is so been-there-done-that come wedding season and full-on nail art can be just down right scary (that neon palm tree because you're attending a wedding in Cabo will so not work on Instagram), we’re taking the non-basic approach with our own spin on the nuptial manicure. Highlighter shades not included.
 
We're well aware that wedding costs are steep, so we had Nargis Khan, the pro at Tips Nail Bar, showed us (and you) how to do a pretty damn good job of replicating what we'll dub "subtle nail art" at home.

 

 


Something Kind Of Blue 

 

If you’re absolutely dead set on having ‘something blue,’ this is the Cov-approved way to do it. As previously mentioned, we’re into subtly, friends…most of the time.

 

one >> Prep nails by pushing back your cuticles using a stainless steel pusher, shape your nails with a fine grit nail file, give the a light buff with a shining block (this will smooth out the ridges and create a smooth canvas.

 
two >> Thoroughly wipe your nails with polish remover to remove any dirt or debris.

three >> Apply one coat of base coat.

 

four >> Apply two coats of a soft pink polish. I used Romantique by CND Vinylux. Let your nails dry for three minutes.

 

five >> To create an ombré effect, all you'll need is a piece of tin foil and a makeup sponge.

six >> Pour a pale blue shade onto your tin foil( I used Deborah Lippmann's Blue Orchid). Take your sponge and dip into your blue polish. Make sure to dab off any excess.

 

seven >> Slowly dab on some of the color at the tips of your nails, gradually going up to the middle of the nail. Do this step in layers, remember less is more! You can always touch up with an extra layer afterwards. 

 

eight >> Let them dry for three minutes before adding a clear top coat.


 

The New Nude

 
We never said we weren’t going to give you a nude nail—it is kinda timeless after all. Now it’s all about the two textures, not two colors. Ya hear?

one >> Prep nails by pushing back your cuticles using a stainless steel pusher, shape your nails with a fine grit nail file, give the a light buff with a shining block (this will smooth out the ridges and create a smooth canvas. 

two >> Apply cuticle oil and lotion

three >> Thoroughly wipe nails with polish remover to remove any debris.

four >> Apply one coat of base. I like CND Sticky Base Coat. 

 

five >> Apply two coats of your favorite nude. Here I used Field Fox by CND Vinylux (this brand does not require a base coat and has great staying power).

 

six >> Apply one coat of matte top coat. I love Revlon Matte Top Coat. Let them dry for three minutes. 

 

seven >> Finish by using a top coat to create the glossy tip. Start from one side using the corner of your brush and sweep to the other side. Glide your brush to make a slight curved shape or 'smile line', this will give your nail a nice sleek look. Use the corner of your brush to touch up the other side if needed for symmetry. Here I used CND Vinylux Top Coat.

More From the series Weddings
You May Also Like