What’s Hot in Bridal Styles at the Nail Salon

That trip to the spa or nail salon a day or so before your wedding is a great time to take ten, slow down and maybe indulge in a little pampering with your bridesmaids.

At its most hedonistic, the spa manicure can involve up to an hour of exfoliation, nail filing, cuticle care, polishing and buffing, and finally, even a hand massage. What better way to wind down before the big event?

But downtime at the nail salon isn’t just about taking a few points off your blood pressure. It also involves some key style choices.

The New and Improved Bridal Nail

It used to be, brides in nail salons always got one thing: a French manicure (and often, a French pedicure to go with). In seasons past, the fingernails were worn pretty long, and on the square side. As for bridesmaids, they always knew what to ask for — a soft, neutral shade of polish, or maybe pink.

But we’re not living in a one-size-fits-all wedding world anymore, and many women walking through the door want options.

“The last two bridal parties we saw wanted the same thing,” says Karen, a stylist at All About You day spa in Rochester, NY. “They all got the same neutral color on their nails, even the bride.”

A neutral or pastel shade is a growing trend for brides who find the bright delineations of the French manicure somewhat stark.

“But bridesmaids don’t always go for the expected,” she added. “We just had a bridal party come in where the bridesmaids went with a dark, dark color on their nails. In fact, what they chose was ‘Lincoln Park After Dark’ — which is very dark purple.

“Of course, dark colors are very en vogue right now. I’m actually wearing black on my nails right now.”

But has she seen any brides ask for a nail color that’s virtually black? “Not yet,” she laughs. “But Angelina Jolie hasn’t shown up here … yet.”

As for the length, Karen says nails are definitely going shorter. Why? “I think they’re just more practical,” she says. “Easier to type with, and much more natural-looking.”