Hello everyone, it’s Alex from LaurenConrad.com again! I hope all of you enjoyed my first post about how to mix and match bridesmaids dresses. Today we are going to talk shop about one of my all-time favorite subjects: nails!
When it comes to wedding worthy manicures, I prefer looks that are clean and simple, with a playful personalized twist. In light of the recent nail art trend, today I am sharing 6 understated nail art ideas for spring and summer brides… Get ready to be delightfully inspired, ladies!
Pretty and pink: If pink flowers and sparkles are your thing, why not give your manicure a playfully chic spin by incorporating glitter polish? A few of my favorite glittery polishes include Butter London Rosie Lee (pictured above), Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow (a wonderful gold), and Essie Beyond Cozy (an amazing muted gold, almost silver color). To temper the glitter, try polishing the glitter onto every other nail.
Bohemian: If your look can only be described as “boho-chic” then this might just be the perfect manicure for your big day. While the turquoise might seem risqué, it’s the perfect twist on your run-of-the mill manicure. The ombré effect is not only stunning, but oh-so unexpected. To get the look, paint the nail with two coats of your desired base color (the base color used above is NCLA Santa Monica Shore Thing). Then using a makeup sponge, lightly dab the tips of the nail with your accent color (the accent color used above is NCLA Don’t Call Me Peachy). If you prefer do to something a tad more understated, try pairing two pinks together such as Essie Lady Like and OPI Sweet Heart.
Glam: If you prefer the finer things in life, a glamorous metallic ombré glitter manicure is an excellent choice. Since a full bed of glitter can be a bit distracting, the gradient effect is a nice way to add a personalized touch to your manicure without going overboard with 10 gleaming digits (after all, you don’t want anything to distract from your new sparkler). To get this look, follow the steps listed for the “Bohemian” manicure but swap out the accent color for glitter. One of my favorite metallic polishes of the moment is Topshop nail polish in Moonshine.
Edgy: To get the look, simply paint your nails with your favorite peach or light pink polish (Essie Tart Deco is always a great choice) and allow it to dry completely. Then pour a small amount of shimmery polish (OPIS he’s Golden is gorgeous) onto a piece of paper and dip the larger end of a bobby pin into the color. Next, drag the bobby pin in a zig-zag motion over the nail until you’ve created the desired design. Finish off with a top coat and voila!
Playful: Still looking for something blue? Look no further than your nail polish collection. If all-blue isn’t quite you, try doing a single robin egg blue nail or detail instead. My favorite baby blues include Chanel Sky Line and Essie Borrowed & Blue.
Classic: Give your classic French manicure an instant update by opting for a gradient contrast instead of a harsh line. This is a lovely look that’s both understated and on-trend. The best part? It won’t outshine your new ring! To learn how do to this ombré Frenchie, check out this tutorial. For even more simple and sweet bridal nail ideas, head on over to LaurenConrad.com and be sure to check out the Wedding section!
Which manicure do you like best? Also, would you actually wear an all blue manicure on your wedding day? Sound off in the comments below! I would love to hear what you think.
xx Alex
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Photo credits: Girly: WedBliss / Shopobaz / My Modern Wedding / Bride Guide / Bo-ho Chic: SheFinds Glam: Love Maegan / iViliiage / Pshiiit / Edgy: Love Maegan / Beautyhigh.com / SheFinds / Nailista Playful: Nailista / Pshiiit on Facebook / Annie McElwain Classic: Pinterest / Grape Fizz Nails / Weddbook / Pinterest
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We were inspired by Alex’s post on wedding day nails, so we thought it would be fun to partner with Cult Cosmetics on one of their popular nail kits! Have you seen them yet? Their kits are SO fun. They are giving this 100 Layer Cake inspired kit away to a lucky reader, so enter your info in the form below and like us on Facebook to be included in our giveaway! We’ll pick a winner this Thursday.
