The Best Bridal Nails for Darker Skin Tones

Written by: Naveera Perera

@tgbacademy

Your wedding nails, sorted.

Whether you are getting ready for your wedding, engagement party, or registration day, we have you covered with the best nail ideas for melanin-rich skin.

Your nails are an important part of your wedding aesthetic whether it is the exchange of rings, an intimate touch on the shoulder, the simple caress of your partner’s face or placing your palm on top of the other.

Due to the heightened attention your fingernails get on your big day, you can use your nails as an accessory for your special day or even use them as a part of making a cultural statement. In this article, we have put together the best bridal nails for darker skin tones to save you time scrolling social media for ideas ahead of your big day.

The reality is not everyone has a white wedding. In many cultures, weddings are bright and bold affairs so we wanted to bring ideas for all brides with dark skin tones. Whether you are looking for the perfect nails for your aso-ebi wedding attire and gele, ideas that will look perfect with a bright saree, colours that go with henna, understated nails, something to match the elegant crystals on your nikah outfit or your wedding is a casual neighbourhood barbeque, we’ve got you. 

The bottom line is that there is no hard and fast rule on how your nails must be styled on your big day, and it is ultimately up to you on how you want to present them. Keep scrolling for the best wedding nail inspo.

Red Nails

@themaniclub

If your wearing an Indian or Nigerian bride wearing traditional dress, a bold red nail will not fail you. It will perfectly complement your outfit and also any hand designs such as henna and other body art. Choose a red like this one - bold and deep so it still stands out while being understated. Red is a perfect choice for your wedding day because red nails will go with all your other outfits while keeping you honeymoon-ready. 

Ascending Nail Art

@WeddingBazaar

So perfect for a nikah ceremony, ascending Nail art is where a diagonal line separates two colours. This looks particularly beautiful with henna because the thin gold line elevates the rich henna colours. Whether you want it to be perfectly symmetrical or not is up to you. You can also try darker colours like maroon or brown. 

White Chrome Nails

@gelledbydaisy

Don’t want to take the attention away from your dress? White chrome nails it is. It offers an elegant, classy and a metallistic finish look that is mesmerising to the eye. While there are different colours of chrome nails, these types of nails refer to a specific type of nail design or polish that uses special ingredients in chrome powder, the key ingredient that gives it its reflective finish.

A simple rose gold 

@nailartbyqueenie

Sometimes less is more. That is why this translucent gold polish will always be a timeless classic. Pictured on the left is Queenie Nguyen’s take on the glazed donut using pink shades of ombre colours, perfect for any wedding occasion and even post-proposal to show off your ring.

Confetti Nails

@melanated.mani

Confetti nails add some colour to your nails in a much more fun way. Perfect for a casual wedding event. Rather than having to make a bold statement with different colours, confetti nails allow you to add just a bit of colour to pop your nails. 

French Tip Nails

@gloss.beautystudio

A classic nail look on many brides, French tip nails are characteristic of pale pink, nude or sheer shades of nail polish with a solid white tip. It replicates a more refined and bold look to your natural nails, which is one of the main reasons why many people opt for it. It is also a look that goes with any outfit, an advantage for brides who change intomore than one attire during the event. Traditionally, french tips are square. Today however, they can also have almond shaped french tips. 

Ombre Wedding Nails

@chi_ray

Sometimes two colours are better than one, and a great way to present them is by blending them together as the ombre nail style look does. This technique involves the application of a dark shade which smoothly transitions into a lighter shade. What strikes this apart from others is that the colours blend in together without any stark lines. You can opt for a classical ombre look as pictured on the left,  where colours like rosey pink are blended with creamy white, or you are free to use shades of one colour or a mix of vibrant different colours of your choice. You are also welcome to use more than two colour shades if you like.  

Something Blue 

@memnails

Perfect for brides with bright wedding attire, these nails can be your something blue. It is bright enough to showcase your nails, but subtle enough to not attract too much attention from the rest of your outfit.

Lip Gloss Nails

@panorama

Don’t worry,  no one is going to actually apply lip gloss on your nails. Rather, the lip gloss look is replicated on your nails with a light sheer coat of colour with a glossy finish that keeps your nails sparkling all day. This is a spin off, and in a way, a sister nail look to other minimalist nail style trends like the glazed donut, jelly nail and the clean girl aesthetic look. Except, just like how your lip gloss blends well with your skin tone, the lip gloss nails are one of the best wedding nails for a bride of any dark shade.

Glitter Tips

@tgbacademy

If you are looking for a bit of sparkle, french tips with glitter are for you. Using micro-glitter on just the tip of the finger, you can add any colour to your base court as you like. Colours like silver, gold, gunmetal and dark tones are recommended as the glitter tip really gives an edge to your nail look.  

Periwinkle Nails

@LetsEatCakeBlog

Named after the periwinkle flower, this is a gorgeous colour to wear on your wedding day that blends in well with darker skin tones. The best part is simply wearing it on its own with no elaborate details is enough to give your nails attention.

Skinny French

@Neta Pollack

Also known as a micro french manicure, this nail style is ideal for brides who prefer to style their natural nails and also want short nails. Instead of the characteristic thick white line present in a french manicure, a razor thin or almost undetectable line is drawn on the nail tip. While the classic white line is enough to give you an elegant look, you can also colour the tip with any other colour of your choice to give it a bit of attention. This is simpler than the traditional french tip style. Some brides also prefer this because it does not make their cuticle seem shorter when it is overpowered by the thick white layer. 

Floral Nails 

@slayedbymadiemay

Touch into your feminine energy with a floral nail style look. The flowers can either be hand drawn or you can request actual dried flowers to be added instead. The great part about floral nails is that it lets you to make your nails vibrant with colours like orange, red, burgundy, undertones of brown etc.

Stiletto Frenchies

@HowLifeStyles

Stiletto frenchies are extra-sharp nails that are not only elegant but also very bold. This is best for brides that are more comfortable with long nails, be it natural or press-ons. Taken in another way, stiletto frenchies are almost like an elaborately filed almond nail style. You can reserve any nail art to just your nail tips, or with the increased space stiletto frenchies give, you can get your full nail elaborately designed.  

Bridal French

@lively

Full disclosure: there is no distinct style called bridal french nails. But it does help to differentiate between all the french mani styles out there. While a traditional french tip, or the modern glitter tip, skinny french nails and stiletto frenchies are wonderful choices for brides who particularly prefer minimalist nails, a bridal french gives a distinguished look that calls your nails to also be dressed up. For instance, rather than a prominent square tip, or an almond-shaped one, a shape that balances both offers a different look. This can be mixed and matched with elaborately detailed nails and simplistic styles along with the classic colours or a preferred colour palette of your choice. 

Geometric Shape Nails

@memnails

Rather than adding multiple colours randomly, a geometric shape nail art allows you to cleanly introduce different colours on one nail. Using a nude colour as a base, you can add anything from a matte colours, to a gel polish, to give it an intriguing look. 

Swirl Veil Nails 

@HowLifeStyles

If you are a bride that wants to take your nail art from a simple manicure to a more intricate one, swirl veil nails might be the one you are looking for. This requires precise and steady swirls to be drawn, which adds more colour to your nail art. It is up to you whether you prefer a complete swirl on each of your full nails, or whether instead, a diagonal swirl in your nail tip, or swirls in one or two finger nails is enough. You can also opt to use a range of colours to make it more colourful. This playful design would be especially nice for weddings with a more casual theme such as a beach wedding. 

Scattered Crystals

@brushedbyb_

If your definition of extra sparkle includes crystals or rhinestones, the scattered crystals look is your answer. It best goes with one base colour applied, and crystals or rhinestones added according to your liking. This can be anything from crystals being evenly placed on your full nails or crowding them on one part of your nail. 

Cutesy Hearts

@memnails

Where there are hearts, there is romance. Design your nails to fit into the romantic theme with hearts drawn on your nail. You can choose to draw either one big heart, or a series of smaller hearts, like polka-dots. Drawing hearts is a creative way of using different colours as classic red, a mix of white or rosey pink shades or a mix of two or more colours as pictured on the left can be blended beautifully.  This youthful design brings a playful take to your big day. 

Inscribed Nails

@drybylondon

Courtesy of the salon that did Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex’s nails for her wedding day. For those looking for a more personalised and intimate nail look, perhaps inscribing your nails with tiny messages or designs is the way to go. You can either spell out a word or phrase using your five finger nails, or, as pictured above, include a range of different words and images. Anything from yours and your beloved’s initials, to images symbolic of your love, this is a unique way to style your nails on your big day. 

Foil Frenchies

@nailedbyshawna_

Everyone likes a little metallic shine on their nails. With metallic nail foils being a latest trend, there are a range of designs that would look great on a bride’s nails. You can add the foils to negative space designs as pictured in the left, making your nails look like an abstract painting or to mix it with marbled nails. The best part is that foils make any colour and style look elegant. 

Marbled Nails

@bygabrielleeva

Marble nails are where a few drops of nail polish of around three different colours are added to water, and a toothpick is used to create a swirl of colours on the water surface. Your finger is then dipped into the water for the marbled pattern to form on your nail. This is repeated until all your nails are complete.  For this, the manicurist will typically apply a base colour beforehand so that the marbled effect is seen clearly. This is an elegant look for brides that want to display a luxurious look. 

Glazed Donut Nails

@crackedpolish

Ever since Hailey Bieber’s nails were pictured at the MET Gala, glazed donut nails have been a popular trend on TikTok. It goes well with any kind of nude polish and leaves a beautiful pearlescent look. True to its name, the finished look resembles how your nails would look if they were coated with sugar or frosting. Simple and elegant, this is especially lovely for a white wedding aesthetic.  It also gives a very natural look, making it a great match for any outfits you have for your honeymoon right after.

Reversed French Nails

@beachnailsspa

You’d think that the French manicure was the pinnacle of subtle nail art. But one of the latest trends that stems from this traditional nail style is flipping it the other way around. Also known as inverted french nails, reverse french nails highlight your nail base instead of your tips. Best with silver, white or gold, the reverse french nail is a pleasant look for any bride. 

Side French Nails

@nailsby_marta.s

Those who like the subtlety of the french manicure, sometimes prefer that thin line to be drawn on their whole nail just so it doesn’t simply focus on a natural nail look. Mostly drawn in the skinny french size, it is a quaint way to embrace the minimalistic look while at the same time, making sure your nails do receive the attention they deserve on your wedding nail.

Jelly Studs Nails 

@nailzbyjazmine

A trend that started in Korea, Jelly studs have made their way to the west and other parts of the world with brides using it on their wedding day due to the 3D effect they give. This is a great option for those who opt for an acrylic manicure. They give a playful aesthetic to your fingernails and are a great way to inscribe your nails with letters or words.   

Negative Space

@nail_junkee

Negative space is where you use nail polish but you also leave space for your natural nail to be exposed. This leaves room for a lot of creativity, leaving you with abstract art, to swirles and other patterns to be drawn on your full nail without having to opt for a base colour. Like most minimalist nails, this type of nail art also goes really well with different outfits during or after your wedding. 

Striped Nails

@memnails

If you generally like patterns, you may also like striped nails. More specifically, if the only kind of pattern you most prefer are straight lines. You can either opt for thin lines or a more thick one as pictured on the left. 

Gold Cuticles 

@o0areyoume0o

This is similar to reversed french, except it really defines the cuticle shape instead of replicating a flipped version of the traditional french manicure. This is a unique look for a bride to have, and a great option for those who are looking for styles that can be replicated on their natural nails. 

Mandala Nail Art 

@Sortra

If you want your nails to have a South Asian look and feel, why not replicate a design that is home to your culture? An intricate pattern that holds cultural significance particularly for Hindu and Muslim brides is the Mandala. Make your nail part of your cultural statement on your wedding day elegantly and colourfully with a unique nail style like no other. 

Zodiac Sign Nail Art

@VivaGlamMagazine

For all the astrology junkies out there, these nails are a subtle nod to your zodiac sign. 

Horoscopes and zodiac signs are important in many cultures and families, particularly receiving a lot of attention when it comes to relationships and getting married. You can creatively style your nails with symbols relevant to your zodiac sign, and can even stay true to the kind of colour tones your sign considers auspicious. This also gives you a meaningful reason to stray away from the traditional colours that are worn on wedding days. 

Graffiti Nails 

@kammysposhnails

Graffiti nail is a great reason to use black, a colour not many brides use on their wedding day, as a base colour. Amidst the black backdrop, the colourful splashes of colour will truly give a vibrant and colourful aesthetic on your wedding day. 

Daisy Nails

@peachinnails

Daisy nails get a special shoutout as a nail style because it is a cute and elegant way to dress your nails on your wedding day. You can either get draisy’s drawn on your full nail perfectly spaced out, or you can infuse pearls, crystals or rhinestones in it as well. 

Pearled Nails

@nailsbymarbel

Ever heard the phrase “Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but pearls are a woman’s”? One way to subtly bring it out is by adding it to your nail art. Either place it on the tips of your fingernails as pictured left, or mix it with nail art or spread it across your full nail. Whichever you do choose, your pearled nails will give you a poised look and feel on your big day. 

Seashell Nails 

@memnails

This look is perfect for a beach wedding. Seashell nails work to replicate the feel of the shell on your nail tip. Adding a pearl in the middle will just uplift your nail from unique to glorious. 

Butterfly Nails

@StyleYourOccasion

Hear us out. If your oh-so-casual and your wedding is just a night out with your friends or your getting ready for a wild hen party, butterflies are not only colourful but they have intricately styled wings. 

Fruit Nails

@getnailed.lk

An unconventional choice, fruit art is for the more playful bride who has chosen a casual wedding event such a backyard barbeque wedding. 

Henna Nails 

@SimplyIntoMyNails

Many cultures consider henna as a symbol of joy. It is often a common sight in engagements, weddings and special ceremonies as it is drawn in a burgundy or brown like colour on the hands of women. The intricate patterns are often not random, and are meant to convey specific meanings. A lovely accompaniment to deep red wedding attire, the burgundy tones look stunning on darker skin tones. 

Watercolour Nails

@totalbeauty

Pastel coloured nails are known to give a soothing effect. Drawing on this concept, watercolour nails are softer and washed out, blurring colours together. This is a great way to add colour to your nails without presenting it as loud. Taken in another way, it's a minimalist way to work with colour. 

Soft Grey Nails 

@brielanys1901

Brides often select gold, silver, or shades of white as nail colours especially if they are not wearing colourful outfits on their wedding day. Soft grey nails however are a great alternative for brides that are looking to do something simple but different. Whether you use  gel based nail polish or a matte based one, the soft grey coloured  nails give a powerful and niche look overall.  

Sparkle Nails

@zzaebiss

What's more glamorous than making your nails sparkle? You can either add glitter to the top half of your nails or the entire nail. A rosey pink gives an elegant look, although a gold or silver one can give it a metallic shine. 

Lace Nails

@ModernWeddingAustralia

Are you planning on wearing a laced dress on your wedding day? Extend that sophisticated look to your nails with a laced-patterned design. Drawn with expert precision even in white, your nails will look picture perfect on your wedding day. 

Lace Tips

@nailstalk.sessions

For those who want to get long acrylic nails, a lace styled tip is a brilliant choice. This allows you to also infuse other styles inspired by french manicures, ensuring your nails get the deserved pamper they need. 

Gold Stud Nail

@memnails

What makes a bride elegant and beautiful are in the fine details. This extends to designs as simple as a gold stud or dot on the nail. Some brides add a dot on the top of their nail  as pictured on the left, although others place it towards the nail cuticle or bottom of the nail. 

Gold Tip

@lustrous_kare

A simple way to elevate a french tip look, is by the colour you choose to paint them. Choosing gold as the tip is a classy way to do that. These nails will look beautiful with henna or other body art as well.

Gradient Nails 

@beyondnails_stockton209

This is similar to the ombre look. Instead of painting your nails with a dark and light coloured shade in a gradient manner on your nail fully, here you exclusively replicate it only on the top half of your nails. The base of your nail remains in a nude or natural looking colour. 

Ring Finger Nail

@nailedbyshawna_

Want to keep things simple and only give attention to your ring finger? You can simply design just the fourth finger of one or both hands. As pictured on the left, you can place a much bigger and magnetic looking rhinestone, or even draw or inscribe on just that fingernail. 

Cloud Nails 

@umsquaremagazine

Art often tells a story or attempts to give some form of meaning. For instance, do you feel like you and your significant other are a match made in heaven? A symbolic way of showing it is by the cloud nail art style. Infuse baby blue and white or any other choice of colour and create a symbolic message or story of your own through your nails. 

Mix and Match 

@WeddingSutra

Instead of adopting one specific nail style, you can break away from the mundane by mixing and matching different types of nail art. From a fully coloured gel nail, to sparked, rhinestone, floral, inscribed and other forms of nail art, you do not have to spend hours searching for the one perfect nail style anymore.

Milky Nails 

@BeautyCrew

A simple elegant look that is flexible with any bride’s style is milky nails. It isn’t too white, nor is it invisible as the nude colours are, thereby giving the perfect pearlescent look. 

Baroque Nails 

@dejauwo

A lavish way to design your nails, baroque uses jelly studs, rhinestones, peals, and literally any other thing that can be attached to a nail. It is also a great nail style to use bright and darker shades of colours instead of light. Definitely anything but subtle, this nail style is inspired by the elaborate designs of the Baroque period in Italy. Majestic, eternal and royal are just some of the words that are frequently used to describe them. 

Metallic Brights 

@bestnailsclub

A combination of chrome nails and watercolour decals, these nails are a perfect addition to bold wedding attire. With its metallic shine, your nails will be popping out even from a distance. This nail look offers a unique finish that is overpowered by colours like gold, silver or rose gold with a hint of any other colour of your choice.

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