Like most who have a gut feeling that a proposal is on the horizon (or have previously discussed a loose time frame for marriage), Liz Nichols toyed with the idea of getting her nails done in time for a mid-September engagement. Even though the West Elm senior manager of design and product development normally doesn’t get manicures, it was something to at least think about.
But when her now fiancé surprised her with the big question while vacationing in Puglia over Labor Day weekend, she said yes with bare nails—and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I do wish my nails had all been the same length, but that’s a never-ending journey,” Nichols tells Vogue. “[But] I don’t wish that I had a color on my nails. In the end, it feels natural to me and lets my beautiful ring show off.”
The no-mani engagement mani is here to challenge all the preplanning and staging of how your hands should look when announcing your proposal on social media. Just look at Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and Elsa Hosk, who have all decided that the best way to announce an engagement is through minimal thought to what their nails look like.
The most obvious answer as to why everyone seems to be opting out of a manicure for their engagement? Well, the proposal was actually a surprise. Many couples may talk about a timeline of when they want to take the next step, but the act of popping the question itself still remains a mystery to the one being proposed to. And unless one is meticulous with their manicure maintenance (or has strong-willed family and friends who will drop not-so-subtle hints they should probably book that nail appointment), how can they have their nails completely picture-ready for the occasion?
Beauty trends as of late have skewed more natural, so nails following suit only makes sense. “Just as minimal makeup and quiet-luxury fashion have become popular, nails are moving toward a low-maintenance chic rather than elaborately done,” says celebrity nail artist Kim Truong. “[There’s] a focus on nail health and wellness, with many finding that bare, well-cared-for nails can feel just as timeless and elegant as a fresh manicure.”
“Some people even see their bare nails as part of the story because it’s authentic and who they are at that moment,” adds celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen. “That doesn’t mean manicures are going away. It just means people are less pressured to look a certain way for life’s biggest moments, and that freedom feels refreshing.”
The authenticity of a bare engagement nail especially resonates with colorist and co-owner of IGK salon Olivia Casanova, who says she doesn’t get manicures in general. (“Only pedicures,” she adds.) So when her now fiancé proposed on the roof of their apartment last August, it was fitting that she wore no makeup, her comfiest loungewear, and no polish on her nails.
“All my girlfriends kept telling me to go get a manicure, but I honestly just didn’t care to,” says Casanova. “I wouldn’t have felt like myself, and I definitely wouldn’t have done it for social media purposes. I appreciate great manicures on other people, but it’s just not really my style. I like to keep it simple, short, and clean. “
If all of this resonates with you—impending engagement or not—it can easily be DIY’d if you focus on nail care. If you want your nails to at least look healthy in time for a proposal, Truong says you’ll want to focus on these three key factors: diet, hydration, and maintenance. Proteins, vitamins, and minerals like biotin, iron, and omega-3s are all known to help keep nails strong. She says that regular cuticle care with oils and serums, like Kora Organics Noni Oil, will nourish and hydrate hands, nails, and cuticles with natural ingredients. You’ll also want to use strengtheners, she says, such as Nailtiques, which treats nail issues such as brittleness, peeling, or thinness. Nguyen agrees and likes products like the Orly Nail Retouch or Manicurist Active Glow for a good nail-care routine. You’ll also want to keep nails shaped and buffed and to limit any unnecessary strain or exposure to harmful chemicals to keep nails strong.
And while it’s always about what works best for you, there is something so romantic about having bare nails on the day of your engagement. Why not be swept up by the spontaneity and bare it all when saying yes to forever? “I remember even saying to [my fiancé], ‘I wish I at least looked a little cuter,’” says Casanova. “He responded, ‘This is exactly the version of you that I love you for.’ Who could be mad at that?”
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