As part of Confetti’s 20th birthday celebrations, we’ve handed over control of our website to some of the biggest names in the wedding industry. This week it’s the turn of Jessica Nails, one of the UK’s best loved nail care brands – who certainly know a thing or two about wedding beauty prep.
Choosing how to wear your nails on your wedding day might seem like a small decision in the grand scheme of things, but your nails will be front and centre in dozens of wedding photos.
From the all important ring shots, to the cutting the cake pictures, your hands will be in the spotlight more than you realise.
With this in mind, we caught up with nail expert and beauty entrepreneur Susan Gerrard, about everything you need to know about getting your hands and nails wedding ready; Susan brought Jessica Nails to the UK 27 years ago, so is something of an oracle on the topic.
Read on for her advice on getting perfect nails in time for your wedding day.
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- After making so many big wedding decisions, nails can often be an after thought, but make sure not to leave them to the last minute. “Start a natural nail care regime about four to six months before the big day to ensure nails are in the best condition possible,” advises Susan.
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- “Depending on the condition of your nails, book a regular, ideally weekly but at least fortnightly, professional manicure” Susan suggests.
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- If you’re not used to getting your nails done, don’t be afraid to turn to your manicurist for advice. “Ask your manicurist for advice on the nail shape best suited to you,” says Susan. “We recommend a squoval-shaped nail as it is much stronger and is less likely to break”.
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- “If you opt for a gel polish manicure, have one or two sets before the wedding day set to ensure nails are at their best length and shape,” advises Susan. “Your manicurist will always start with the correct prescriptive Jessica base coat for you to keep your nails in optimum condition. If you’re concerned about a last-minute nail nightmare, opt for a Jessica GELeration treatment the day before your wedding. This ensures nails dry instantly, have a high shine finish and will stay chip free for up to three weeks, giving you beautiful nails throughout your honeymoon.”
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- Brides thinking of opting for wedding nail art, give yourself time to experiment different styles or statement nails with crystals or pearls. “Test out a few options to check you’re happy by using your bridesmaid’s or mum’s fingers to compare,” suggests Susan – we can’t see them complaining about having to trial manicures!
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- “When considering your final nail colour choice, it’s worth purchasing a midi-size nail polish to see whether it complements the tone of your dress or the rest of the wedding colour scheme, before choosing your final shade for your manicure on the big day,” says Susan.
How to Choose Your Wedding Nails
Gone are the days when brides only had a classic French manicure or a chic nude polish to choose between; more people are now opting for less traditional shades to match their shoes, bouquet or bridesmaids’ dresses.
A twist on the classic French could mean adding a line of silver or gold instead of the white. Or try a full glitter nail to ring fingers.
A big trend spotted on the autumn / winter catwalks was statement nail art such as a nude with a gold half-moon, a statement ring finger or even tiny pearls placed on the nails – the Jessica Hands on Team under the direction of head nail tech Lauren Michelle Pires created pearly nails for Fashion East’s Yuhan Wang A/W2019 show.
For a statement ring finger with the perfect amount of sparkle to make every bride shine on her big day, try Jessica Custom Colours.
If you do want to go down the traditional route, check out our edit of the loveliest nude nail polishes for a timelessly elegant bridal look.
