The Best Nail Color for Every Engagement Ring Shape

Find the perfect pairing.

Woman with red nails and wearing an engagement ring

Bryan Miguel/Getty Images

Just like choosing a wedding dress, selecting the right nail color for your big day is a personal process. Your hue should reflect you—that is, your style, wedding theme, venue, dress, and, of course, engagement ring.

You’ll want to choose something tasteful and classic that you'll still love decades down the line. Depending on the color of the band (rose gold, platinum, or white gold) and the stone (diamond, emerald, or sapphire), you might find that a certain shade of polish gives your ring the best chance to sparkle and shine.

To help guide you toward the best wedding-day nail color for you and your sparkler, we asked top nail technicians Jenna Hipp and Lauren Berkovitz to share their recommendations for each and every engagement ring style.

Meet the Expert

  • Jenna Hipp is a celebrity nail stylist whose clients include Jennifer Lawrence, Miley Cyrus, and Lea Michele.
  • Lauren Berkovitz is a nail-care entrepreneur and the founder of Lauren B. Beauty.

Keep reading to find out the best nail polish color for your engagement ring.

01 of 08

Emerald

Bride in elaborate lehenga choli with henna on hands

Photo by To The Moon

The rectangular shape of this ring naturally accentuates the cut of the stone and its clarity, explains Berkovitz. That’s why she suggests a classic and clean color like a sheer petal pink or neutral peach that leaves your nails gleaming, healthy, and natural-looking. “If you want a pop of color, try a super-saturated cabernet hue or dark midnight with a hint of blue,” she says.

Her House of Blues shade fits the bill perfectly, though she advises against nail art or accents for this cut. They can easily clash with the shape and its linear cuts.

Lauren B. Beauty nail polish in House of Blues, a deep navy blue shade

Courtesy of Lauren B. Beauty

SHOP NOW: Lauren B. Beauty, $16

02 of 08

Round

Bride and groom holding each other, bride wearing round engagement ring

Photo by Katie Ruther

With this traditionally shaped stone, you can go several ways. For longer nails or a larger stone, Berkovitz suggests keeping it classic with a neutral, semi-sheer mauve like her Ceremony at Sunset shade, which is romantic and refined. “It has a touch of pearlescence, which gives the shade some extra dimension; warm, rosy undertones make it sexy and flattering on everyone.” If you have a simple setting for your round-shaped stone, she suggests a bolder accent color that’s seasonal, like a deep red or pink.

Lauren B. Beauty nail polish in Ceremony at Sunset, a shimmery taupe shade

Courtesy of Lauren B. Beauty

SHOP NOW: Lauren B. Beauty, $16

03 of 08

Pear

Bride holding a glass of champagne, wresting her other hand on her wrist and wearing a pear-shaped engagmenet ring

Photo by Chi-Chi Ari

This lovely and elegant teardrop shape calls for a subtle, more subdued nail design and color, such as a soft pastel pink or barely there beige. We're thinking something along the lines of Essie's iconic Ballet Slippers shade. For the shape of the nail, Hipp recommends asking your technician to file them into an almond shape. "This style is known for slimming and elongating the fingers."

Essie nail polish in Ballet Slippers, a soft light pink shade

Courtesy of Target

SHOP NOW: Target, $9.99

04 of 08

Cushion

Brides hands with cushion-cut emerald engagement ring

PHOTO BY DANIEL LOPEZ PEREZ & THOMAS BRODTMANN; Event Planning by Saguzo Eventos

If your partner was wise enough to select this classic cut for you, you’ll want to choose an equally timeless style for your nails, like a neutral nude or soft pale pink. We love Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel in Little Peony. Hipp suggests splurging on top-notch cuticle care for well-nourished nails and hydrated hands instead of an elaborate design or color.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Little Peony, a light pink shade

Courtesy of Target

SHOP NOW: Target, $8.29

05 of 08

Oval

Brides hands with mehndi and oval engagement ring

Photo by Kristina Adams Photography; Event Planning by Santa Barbara Elopement

The beauty of this elongated cut is that the diamond often appears larger than it technically is in terms of carats. Berkowitz suggests shaping your nails in a similar fashion—medium to long oval shapes—to complement the shape of your ring and elongate your fingers.

“Keeping your nails manicured and mirroring the same shape as your ring will give you a polished yet consistent look,” Berkowitz says. “Try a trendy color with some dimension, like a cream with milky undertones.” We recommend Essie's Marshmallow shade.

Essie nail polish in Marshmallow, a sheer creamy white color

Courtesy of Target

SHOP NOW: Target, $9.99

06 of 08

Princess

Newlywed portrait with bride wearing sparkly dress and princess cut ring

Photo by Roberta Facchini Photography; Event Planning by Giusy D’Ambrosio

The princess cut—with its angular, square lines—looks classy, rich, and timeless, and it's the exact inspiration for its complementary nail color, notes Hipp. “If your nails are long and well-manicured, you can’t beat a vibrant, classic red. [It] will pop perfectly against a white dress and a white rose bouquet (think Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly).” Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Pirate is a classic favorite.

Chanel Le Vernis nail polish in Pirate, a bright red shade

Courtesy of Chanel 

SHOP NOW: Chanel, $30

07 of 08

Radiant

Radiant-cut diamond engagement ring in a ring box beside pearl earrings atop scraps of paper with writing

Photo by Erich McVey

Though the cut shares many qualities of a cushion, radiant stones tend to have more rectangular corners and a less oval-like appearance. “The radiant diamond mimics crushed ice, so maximize the effect with a nail that does the same thing,” says Hipp. “Chunky glitter mixed with clear can be unbelievably chic, and you can mix golds, rose golds, and silvers for extra dimension.” Try Essie's Set in Stones to achieve the look. Another easy effect she recommends is to paint nails nude and, with a soft sponge, apply silver polish or glitter to create a gradient pattern.

Essie Set in Stones polish, a glittery silver shade

Courtesy of Target

SHOP NOW: Target, $9.99

08 of 08

Marquise

Bride and groom holding up their hands to show their rings, bride wearing marquise cut engagement ring

Courtesy of Tony Wodarck

“This shape screams fun," says Berkovitz. “Be bold and daring with something exciting and out of the box that works well with your skin tone and season.” She suggests a teal or deep jewel-tone color that’s neither too light nor too dark for the fall and winter months or a taupe or rose gold for the summer, like her Dancing Shoes polish.

Lauren B. Beauty nail polish in Dancing Shoes, a metallic taupe shade

Courtesy of Lauren B. Beauty 

SHOP NOW: Lauren B. Beauty, $12

FAQ
  • What is the most popular bridal nail color?

    Unobtrusive shades like nudes, pinks, and sheer colors are the most popular among brides. Quintessential white and vampy reds also rank highly on the list.

  • When should I have my nails done before the wedding?

    Schedule your bridal mani one to three days before the big day. This ensures your nails stay looking fresh and chip-free without having to overbook yourself with day-of appointments.

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