A hand selfie epidemic is upon us, ladies. How do you get it just right?
THE CLASSIC FRENCH MANICURE
Brit & Orly Beauty
It's hard to go wrong with a classic French mani - neat, smart, sophisticated, timeless! When showing off these polished nails, especially for that all important engagement ring selfie, you can rest assured you're not going to look back at the snap and regret your nail polish choice. Just like your timeless engagement ring, the instantly recognisable French Manicure doesn't go out of style. Treat yourself to a pamper or DIY if you have a steady hand, just make sure those white tips are pristine.
Round Cut 0.74 Carat DVVS1 Platinum Diamond Engagement Ring, £6,088
A classic mani calls for a traditional engagement ring. Shimmering precious platinum and a dazzling Round brilliant cut solitaire diamond combine in the most perfect manner. An engagement ring this iconic is made for a lifetime. Palest pink or clear and shiny, your gorgeous yet fuss-free nails will be the dream accompaniment to this engagement ring sparkler.
TRENDY METALLIC NAILS
Nail Art Pretties & The Polished Hippy
For the girls that love to stand out and create a buzz, sparkly, glittery and metallic sheen nails are sure to make a celeb-worthy impression. For golden girls that love warm yellow gold over icy white or platinum metals, this beauty trend will truly compliment your bold choice of engagement ring. Lauren Conrad is famous for her yellow gold engagement ring hand selfie, which she complemented with a second trendy ring spelling 'Love'.
Round Cut 0.42 Carat DVVS1 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Ring, £1.529
With this chic design, an eye-catching 0.42 carat solitaire diamond is held by an 18k yellow gold engagement ring band. The prong setting is tight and secure in contrasting white gold to accentuate the diamond's dazzle. Smooth curves and sleek simplicity allow a little more daring attitude to be applied when it comes to your engagement ring selfie mani.
Lauren Conrad's famous engagement ring selfie
VAMPISH RED TALONS
Fun and flirtations, bright red nails are super versatile. Depending how you wear them, they can be sophisticated with a retro twist or very cool and contemporary. Make sure you select a glossy top coat to not only seal the look and protect from chipping but to enhance the shade's beauty too. Experiment with your nail shape before taking the engagement ring selfie - try vamp and pointed or smooth and slightly squared.
Round Cut 0.74 Carat Halo Engagement Ring with Side Stones in Platinum, £3,067
You're not trying to blend into the crowd with this one so our guess is your engagement ring will be a showy affair! Supremely elegant yet certainly a head-turner, a French split shank with side stones and halo style ring design adorns a red-tipped finger with all-round glamour. Strong platinum is valuable and extremely durable, lasting for a lifetime of photographs...
COLOURFULLY SHADED NAIL POLISH
Best Nail Art
Love This Pic
Diamonds alone aren't for everyone and there are many (see Millie Mackintosh's pink sapphire wedding ring for example) that like to add a pop of colour courtesy of the finest gemstones to their engagement ring alongside the diamond as a glittering focus. Taking blue as today's favourite, either block medium blue or a fading tone of blue from navy to cornflower blue and lavender, works brilliantly. If you're the type to stock up on lots of nail varnishes, either to trial different brands or to have the exact shade you fancy and that suits your mood as and when, you could attempt this aesthetic for a quirky and unique engagement ring hand selfie!
Round Cut 0.45 Carat Blue Sapphire Side Stone Engagement Ring in 18k White Gold, £1,537
Beautiful blue sapphires in a round shape frame a statement solitaire diamond. Gemstones are still as classically stylish as diamonds yet add a splash of excitement if you want something a little different from the crowds. If you love wearing blue and blue nail varnish suits you too, this engagement ring will be strikingly captured in your engagement ring selfie.
PRETTY PRINCESS MANICURE
Yelp & Juxtapost
To go girly with your engagement ring selfie, peaches and pinks work well; we also LOVE a contrasting party nail (as seen in the last pic). You choose a nice base colour for the whole hand then on a nail of your choice (it's usually the third finger but who is making the rules!) you add a more sparkling, statement nail instead. If you're having your talons professionally trimmed and accessorised, you can even add crystals and diamante. They won't look quite as breath-taking as your diamond but they will sure pack a punch for the overall awe-inducing effect!
Modern Side Stone Engagement Ring Setting in White Gold, £1,079 (shown with Heart shape diamond)
For the romantics showing off pretty nails, a pretty ring comes as standard. We think lovers of this look will dazzle in a Heart shape diamond engagement ring (visit our Create Your Own section to explore various shapes, sizes and styles). Round brilliant side stones give additional glimmering effect - you'll almost be glowing in the dark!
Millie Mackintosh's engagement ring selfie with pink nails (the ex Made in Chelsea star has shot an array of manicures to complement her glittery Radiant ring)
EASY TO FOLLOW TIPS FOR THE WINNING SHOT
1. Treat yourself to a manicure or dedicate a girly evening to pamper yourself with one! Aside from the jewel, of course, your nails will be centre of attention so can't be neglected.
2. Sunlight is massively important! For your ring to look its very best in the photo, stay away from dark blurred shots or overly bright artificial lighting. A nearby open window should make your diamond look its finest!
3. Find a fitting location - whether it's a forest straight out of a fairytale, a postcard-worthy beach with the ocean in the distance, or a bright but cloudy skyline, the backdrop on your photo will add beauty and interest.
4. Relax! As funny as it may sound when it's only your hands getting in the snapshot, tense or bent fingers can make your engagement ring selfie look a little odd. Gently rest your hands and don't shoot so close up that every pore and flaw is scrutinised by the lens.
5. Avoid the zoom function on your camera for similar reasons to the above! You want the ring and its diamond centrepiece to be clearly in focus and a steady, further away shot will ensure it looks its most brilliant.
6. A little editing goes a long way. Your diamond is perfect and so is your mani but it never hurts to give things a little visual boost. Be it playing about with the contrast, saturation or adding a cute border, your photo will go from nice to spectacular!
7. If editing for hours isn't your cup of tea, there's always the famous instagram filters! Does your diamond look best in the warm Rise filter, retro looking Earlybird filter or romantic black and white Inkwell filter?
8. Take options and come back to them after an hour or so. With a fresh mind you can select which you LOVE the most - but don't go overboard and post too many! No one likes a show off even when it comes to diamonds!
9. Before you click the camera, study your ring from lots of different angles. There will be an area you love most, whether it's the Marquise cut centre stone or diamond and ruby side stones, so see whether snapping from the side or above works best.
10. Lastly - share the image! Whether you print it out and send good old fashioned snail mail, drop your colleagues an email, hastag it on Twitter or change your cover photo on Facebook... your nearest and dearest will love to see your new engagement ring and all it symbolises in its full glory. Whilst you're at it, don't forget to share it with us here at Vashi too! Email a picture of you with your Vashi engagement ring or other jewellery piece to service@vashi.com or send it to us via social media. We can't wait to see Your Vashi Moment. If you're lucky, you'll be featured as our Customer of the Month winning a £50 voucher.
Happy snapping!
Wedding Heat