Bridal Expo

A good manicure improves the health and texture of your hands and fingernails, helps prevent hangnails and snagged cuticles and the accompanying hand massage improves circulation. The word manicure itself is derived from the Latin word ‘manus’ which means hands and ‘cure’, which means …..cure. In recent years, the mani/pedi spa has been favorite of brides and bridesmaids for a bit of indulgence and relaxation. But, what about grooms?

You can’t spell manicure without  ‘MAN” so why don’t most men understand they could greatly benefit from a good manicure? Whether they want a polish, simple buff or clean up the cuticles, grooms around the globe are starting to understand that it is about looking and feeling your best from head to toe.

French Manicures are by far the most popular manicure style for weddings. It is elegant, universal, classic and goes with everything from a denim skirt to a bridal gown. Clear or nail-colored nail polish is applied on the body of the nail and pure white nail polish at the tips of nails. The nails are shaped round, oval or square as desired. This can be done with your own natural nails or with any kind of artificial nail tip or overlay.

Natural looking nails are also very popular with brides. A muted shade of peach or pink is used, whichever color matches your natural nail bed. The natural nail is polished and groomed to perfection before the polish goes on.. Your nails will not stand out but you will notice the difference in how finished they look. This kind of polish effect really only works with natural nails but, it is very organic and understated.

 Even if you decide to go with the simplest manicure, this one beauty treatment is a must for both bride and groom since your photographer will probably want to get a close-up of your hands with wedding rings.

-Penny Frulla For Bridal Expo Chicago

 Gone are the days when every bride has to have clear or french manicure, gone are the days when the only right thing to do is the same thing everyone else does. When it comes to manicures, everything has changed and the only thing that works, is what works for you!

Here are some of my favorite manicures; from classic to fun, from sexy to funky, from sassy to chic!

Tiffany Manicure -  Just the right color with a touch of bling!!

Reverse French Manicure - Comes in two varieties; the tips are color instead of white or the nails and tips are different shades of the same color.

Half  Moon Manicure -  Done in any combination of color or clear, this manicure can be flashy or subdued depending upon your color choice!

Louboutin Manicure -  The underside of the nail is painted red…. very clever! You don’t have to use black as the top color, either. Grammy winner Adele used silver when she graced the red carpet last year to pick up her golden statues.

Bling Manicures – Nothing like a little sparkle to make you feel like a million bucks on your big day. Whether it is a little or a lot, ladies are loving the nail glitter and crystals.

Caviar manicure – This very specific nail laquer comes in a variety of colors, the most popular for brides looks tiny little pearls on your fingernails.

Remember, whatever you decide, always hire a professional to have a ‘polished’ look.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

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