My Friend Asked Me What Nail Colours Work Best with Engagement Rings—I Suggested These 5 Elegant Options

If there is one thing my friends are always asking me for, it's manicure inspiration. With everyone's love of nail art and obsession with BIAB only growing with every passing year—and being my friendship group's go-to beauty person/personal shopper, I happily accept the tasks of finding the best nail trend options and nail art ideas out there.

The pressure really was on however, when a friend recently asked me specifically what the best nail colours for engagement rings are. Now my friend isn't yet engaged, but we both know that it's certainly imminent, and being a Type A personality, she's the kind of person who needs to be prepared—and will be sporting an engagement ring-worthy manicure every day for the next year, if that's what it takes.

Prior to my wedding earlier this year, I was engaged for four years before that, so I've tried my fair shade of nail colour options up against my own engagement ring. I also tapped my friend and manicurist Ashleigh Bamber for her recommendations. "Not everyone knows they're going to be proposed to, but most of my clients seem to have a pretty accurate inkling beforehand," she tells me. "They tend to opt for neutral and nude shades, which will provide a clean, plain background, and let the ring do the talking."

Nudes, neutrals, pinks, and whites are usually safe (and chic) options for newly proposed to brides-to-be—after all, you're probably going to be taking and sending lots of pictures of your hand, so you want the focus to be on the ring, not your manicure. Further down the line however, you'll probably want to mix things up a bit. "Those of my clients who prefer bolder manicures will opt for a bright classic red," says Bamber. "And baby blue is also a popular choice—a lot of my bridal clients will wear this on their wedding day as a nod to 'something blue'."

The Best Nail Colour for Engagement Rings:

1. Sheer Neutral

Clean, elegant, and sophisticated, you really can't go wrong with a sheer neutral finish.

If this option feels too plain for you, why not add a tiny gem to your accent nail to match the sparkle of your ring?

2. True Red

Proof that no matter how bright and bold your red manicure, the ring will still take centre stage.

This is a chic and flattering option for all nail lengths, but especially shorter ones.

3. Pale Pink

A little more than nude, but not quite a full pink—a pale hue with an ultra-glossy finish always looks expensive.

Opting for a cooler pink shade looks cleaner and fresher than warm hues.

4. Something Blue

I wore this baby blue French tip so much throughout my engagement that I also settled on it for my wedding nails, too.

And of course, baby blue looks just as good when worn all over. Plus, the squared-off shape of these nails would work so well with a modern or geometric style of ring.

5. Pearly White

Pearly white is a bridal classic for a reason. Ask your manicurist for a chrome finish to keep it feeling fresh and modern.

This colour looks especially elegant when the formula is sheer and glossy, like this one.