In the era of Instagram announcement posts, with ring finger hand on full display, it’s natural to start planning a nail strategy for when your partner pops the big question. Engagement nails tend to be on the minimalist side—think French manicures or neutral shades—says celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik whose clientele includes Jennifer Lopez and Selena Gomez. But it's your special day (or, the run-up to your special day), so we say the rules are yours to make.

Nail artist Brittney Boyce counts Olivia Rodrigo, Megan Fox, and Kim Kardashian as regular clients, and she reports seeing more experimentation with color and design. The best engagement nail, she says, is the one you love. “This all just comes down to personal style,” she says. For some, that's a short natural nail. For other

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