If the eyes are the window to your soul, your nails are the magnifying glass to your style. A manicure improves the texture and health of both the nails and the skin of your hands, as well as leaving them looking polished and perfect. However, the type of manicure you choose can speak volumes about you, your lifestyle, your style preferences and how you see yourself.
Long, Long, Long – Whether they are your own growth or a gel/acrylic creation, keeping your nails super long tells people you require a certain amount of maintenance and are happy to sacrifice the time and money allowed to keep your nails in this condition. 
Fancy Airbrush Designs – Deep down you are an artist. Maybe you work in an office and this is the only time you can express your creativity but, nail art is the way you express your inner Da Vinci.
Short Square Nails – You use your hands a lot. You need to be able to grab things, you need to be able to use your hands and anything longer than 1/4″ will just get in the way. Keeping them neat and polished but short says you care about your appearance are also practical.
Polish- Free Nails – You don’t take good enough care of yourself. You need to pamper yourself a little or at the very least apply a coat of clear at home while doing the dishes to protect your nails from becoming an eyesore.
Short, Bitten, Ragged – Its time to stop biting and start living. Nail biting is usually a sign of bigger problems and it is a terrible habit. The germs hidden under your nails are worse than on the platform of the El track. Start with a professional manicure and (for women) avoid nail tips of any kind until you have completely kicked the habit.
Whether you prefer color, clear, French or fancy styles embedded with jewels and 3 dimensional objects, your nails are a window to your physical and mental health. Remember – your hands will be photographed multiple times on your wedding day and you will want to be able to look at the photos without cringing. Taking care of your nails is taking care of your mind, body and soul.
-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago