How to Do Your Own Wedding Nails

When it comes to your wedding, you most likely will want to indulge in every beauty aid your local spa offers to help get ready to look your best. Unfortunately, these services tend to be very expensive and may not fit into your already overextended budget. Luckily, a nice manicure is easy to do on your own at home without spending unnecessary money that could be better spent on other areas of your wedding.

Things You'll Need

• Nail polish remover
• Nail file
• Bowl
• Towel
• Clear nail polish
• Colored nail polish

Instructions

1. Remove any existing nail polish using nail polish remover. Apply a small dab of the nail polish remover to a cotton ball and gently rub it over each of your nails. It is best to use a nail polish remover that is free of acetone to prevent damage to your nails.

2. Shape your nails using a nail file. Smoothly move the file in the same direction along the tips of your nails, using slow, controlled motions. It is generally best to stay on the short side when it comes to wedding nails to avoid breakage or other types of damage during the ceremony or reception.

3. Fill a bowl of water with warm water and soak your nails in the water for a few minutes to prepare them to be painted. This will help clean any remaining dirt from your nails and will also soften your cuticles. Gently dry off your hands and nails with a towel and use nail polish remover again if any excess nail polish remains on your nails.

4. Choose a color nail polish that matches your own dress and the color scheme of your wedding. Lighter colors are generally better to avoid distracting from your dress or the ring on your finger that all of your guests are likely to be asking to see. Apply 2 thin coats of the colored nail polish to your nails, allowing the first coat to dry before painting on the second.

5. Put a layer of clear nail polish on top of the 2 coats of colored nail polish to help the color last longer and prevent chipping. Clear nail polish will also add a nice shine to your wedding nails.

6. Coordinate the nails of the women in your bridal party to match your color scheme. If the styling of your nails is understated, be sure that none of your bridesmaids have flashy nail art that may clash with the style of your wedding. You may also want to give the groom and his groomsmen a manicure to be sure that the healthy appearance of their nails complements the rest of your wedding.

Tips & Warnings

• Think of the time you will spend doing your own wedding nails as a time of meditation and personal downtime before the big day. Do your best to relax and enjoy the quiet time while your nails dry.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Do your nails with brands and color ideas from Sephora.com