Monday, February 26, 2007

Decisions, decisions

I have a beauty dilemna.

In about a week, I am going to be a bridesmaid in the wedding of one of my best friends from college. And she has done the unthinkable, picked a gorgeous chocolate brown dress that I have already planned to wear again. I have a brand new pair of faboo d'Orsay peep-toed shoes and I'm currently ingesting nothing but black coffee and air so I can look my best.

So here's the problem, what nail polish to wear????

I am currently torn because I want to indulge my inner trend whore and paint my nails a dark vampy shade, but I worry that (a) I will look dated in pictures thirty years from now, (b) stand out too much in a sea of nude nails, and (c) scare my friend's rather conservative mother into thinking that I pray to Satan in my spare time.

So, I'm taking a poll. Should I:

1. Paint both toes and fingers in a pale pretty nude like Sarah Smile or Essie Mademoiselle; or

2. Paint fingers in a vampy shade like Sephora No. 11 or Essie Wicked and coat toes in the neutral shade?

Painting toes the vampy color is not an option. I hate my toes. Don't ask. Nude colors draw less attention.

Post your opinion in the comments and let me know if you think of an option 3!

24 comments:

Alison Santighian said...

I vote for #2 - unless you think the bride herself wouldn't like it. Forget about the mother - and wear what you want to!

Heather Henderson said...

I vote for #1

weddings arent really the time to be a trend whore, esp if you are in the bridal party, hence the pictures.

The only exception - see if you can get all the bridesmaids to wear the same dark polish, then it will look planned and coordinated, and still nice years from now.

Anonymous said...

Look I love essie wicked. But you WILL look dated. Stay with neutral poilsh on both hands and feet. YOu can wear dark polish when you wear the dress again.

Anonymous said...

I think you should go with option #1.
I think the dark vamp would in theory look very nice, however if you do decide that you will be thinking about what everyone is thinking..."why is she wearing such a drab dark color to a happy lovely wedding!"
Something like that.

From your honest little sister,
Emily

Beth said...

I'm definitely leaning nude, but what about a pretty baby pink. The pink/brown combo is still pretty trendy and I think that would look more polished than a plain ol' nude.
I know I ripped on you about the proenza pink lipstick, but that color on a nail with a brown dress could be quite nice....

Anonymous said...

#1, you can guarantee that #2 will look dated in only a couple years or the political side of me thinks you could split the baby, there are some lovely dark brown/bronzey colors that seem like they would match beautifully and not scream trend, even OPI's Chocolate Shakes-peare might have a little more punch than the classic nude.

Anonymous said...

go with option 1.. keep it neutral

Anonymous said...

How about a french manicure thing with the pink on the bottom and the vampy on the tips? It would look nice.

Meg said...

Your friend will be looking at these pictures for the rest of her life and won't want to remember a silly trend. Also, they'll stand out, and you want to bride to be the center of attention. Go with neutrals or light pinks.

Anonymous said...

Option 1

Anonymous said...

neutral, definitely. fashion forward & weddings generally don't mix.

Anonymous said...

Nude all the way-- I vote for #1

isiskity said...

Well, I am so not a huge fan of toenails and fingernails being a different color (but hey, that is just me). But if you totally hate dark polish on your toes and could get all the bridesmaids to wear the same dark polish - then go for it. But if not, then I really think you should go for option #1.

Anonymous said...

I vote for #1 - let the shoes speak for you rather than your nails!!!

Anonymous said...

#1

Anonymous said...

I have to go with #1 (nude or pink), even though I am usually a fan of standing out in a crowd (especially a crowd of bridesmaids!). Like one anon. said, you can wear the dark nails when you wear the dress again. I'm envious that you have a fun bridesmaid dress! My last one was absolutely awful, and still conjures up bitter memories.

Love Rocks said...

Go with #2. There shouldn't be any close up on your nails anyway. Plus, whose to say the dress won't look dated 30 years from now. Do you!

Anonymous said...

Please go CLASSIC! Nude pink, pink, beige, french mani. All the understated nail looks are great for a wedding ... a vamp dark shade IS NOT.

BabsieD said...

#1, def.

Anonymous said...

Pale polish is timeless, so go with that. What about Chanel Allegoria?

Anonymous said...

Depends on the bouquet. If it's one that you'll hold in your hands, go vampy as it's not likely the nails will be in any photos that could mar the wedding if they're that uptight. If it's one that you lay the flowers IN your arm your nails will be quite visable so go for the nude option. Me? I'd choose a shade that has the brown from the dress but a bit funkier and go with that for both hands and feet or - like someone else said - do a funky french.

Anonymous said...

#1! You want to look timeless.

Unknown said...

Have you asked the bride? It's been a while since I've looked at my wedding pictures but I don't recall seeing any close ups of hands other than the bride's with her ring. What kind of pictures are going to be taken that will highlight a bridesmaid's hands? Really, as fab as you are, the focus won't be on you.

Anonymous said...

Definately go for #1. Years from now when people are looking back at the pictures, you will not look dated.