As a professional woman, have you ever wondered what are the appropriate elegant nails for work?
Say, you aspire to project a professional, business-like image to clients but at the same time, you also want to showcase a little more of your personality.
Well, that’s totally doable.
This guide will help refine one aspect of your physical appearance so you can be out there nailing people’s first impressions of you. (see what we did there?)
It will be up to you to try these elegant nail ideas since we categorized them between the simple classics and the chic trends. You can switch it up anytime without the worry of not looking professional.
So make sure your hands are clean and your nails are neat. Today we’re diving into the elegant nails ideas appropriate for you to wear for work, plus tips and product recommendations.
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something at no extra cost to you, we may earn a commission that helps keep this site valuable for our readers.
The Elegant Classics
• Red Nails
Red is a color that radiates power, which means it’s the perfect color to wear to work including your nails.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
• French Tips
A French manicure is about as classic as it gets, but since its early days, this nail style has had its fair share of modern twists.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
• Neutral Nails
The perfect default nail color as they’re always deemed as work-appropriate. Not only do they look chic, but they’re also low-maintenance.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
• Dark Nails
Dark, moody nail polish adds some dramatic flair to an otherwise bare cuticle and can look sophisticated on anyone.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
• White Nails
White nails are chic, classic, and confident. It also looks fresh and airy and would be the perfect accompaniment during work outings!
EDITOR’S PICKS:
The Elegant Trends
• Sparkly Nails
Blinged-out nail polish screams glamour but the key is to not overdo it. Adding just the right amount of glitter accents to your work manicure will make it stand out from the crowd. (Imagine being a luxury realtor, your nails would look so decadent while selling mansions in your backdrop).
EDITOR’S PICKS:
• Embellished Nails
Surprisingly, embellished nails are accepted in a more progressive office environment. They exude sass and uniqueness which can work in your favor when landing a good first impression. Again it’s a matter of not overdoing it—a little embellishment goes a long way!
EDITOR’S PICKS:
– Square French Acrylic Nails with Rhinestone (Amazon)
– Pink Nude Acrylic Nails with Rhinestones (Amazon)
– White Pearl Almond Press On Nails (Amazon)
• Ombre Nail
A crowd favorite, ombre nails have grown in popularity inspired by the ombre style seen on hair and couture over the years. Ombre nails represent a cool, sophisticated variation of the Classics.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
– Pink White Glitter Ombre Press On Nails (Amazon)
– Ombre Square Press on Acrylic Nails Purple (Amazon)
– Brown Gray Diamond Ombre Press On Nails (Amazon)
• Nail Art
Nail art can be absolute fun! However for these nail designs to be appropriate for work, the designs shouldn’t be too busy and the length shouldn’t be too long. Soft colors would work best if you want to look neat and polished.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
– Glamnetic Press On Nails – Silent Night (Amazon)
– Green Swirl Press On Nails with Glitter (Amazon)
– Nail Art Metallic Silver Line Decal (Amazon)
• Mix-and-match nails
Mixing and matching colors, designs, and elements without going overboard is a true work of art. The goal is to experiment away from the monocolor manicure routine, while still making sure they’re chic and elegant nails for work. Manicure with mix-and-match designs highlights your fun and creative side!
EDITOR’S PICKS:
– ZOYA All Spruced Up Quad Nail Polish (Amazon)
– Black Press-on Nails with 3D Bling (Amazon)
– Light Rain Reusable Press-on in Calm Design (Amazon)
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Nails for Work
Professionalism is in the details, and your nails are no exception. Here are some tips for a refined manicure that exudes poise with a subtle charm.
Prep your nails
Make sure your nails are free of old nail polish. Then, cleanse the nail plate before applying any product.
Cut and file
Match your nail length and shape to your work environment. If you’re always typing on your phone or your keyboard, long pointed nails are definitely a no-no because they could interfere with your work.
Maintain cuticles
To achieve that perfect work manicure, never neglect your cuticles. Do not pick or bite them but instead use the proper tools to care for them.
We love a good cuticle oil like CND SolarOil Nail & Cuticle Care to keep them healthy and moisturized at all times.
Pick the perfect HUE for YOU
The Classics nail colors look good on just about anyone, but there are only a few hues that’d best complement your skin tone. You’ll know you found ‘the one’ when your nails and hands look healthy, glossy, and immaculate.
Use high-quality nail products
Nobody wants to be caught sporting dry, chipped, and yellowish nails.
Therefore, instead of hoarding subpar nail products, make a solid move to invest in a few yet high-quality nail polishes and nail care.
You can pamper your nails with base & top coats from Orly The Essentials Bundle and a non-toxic polish remover like ella+mila Soy Nail Polish Remover.
Though we feel strongly against getting chipped nail polish as it can make one look unkempt and untidy, sadly it can happen anytime and anywhere.
Shellac can only go so far therefore consider stocking up on your go-to nail polish colors. This can include miniature bottles that you can bring with you anywhere so you can do quick touch-ups on chipped nails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Red is the nail polish you’re looking for.
With the right hue that matches your skin tone, red nail polish makes you look sophisticated and stand out at the same time, especially when applied to short to medium length nails.
No, unless it’s in the washroom or the privacy of your office where no one can see you.
If you clip your nails out in the open, people might wonder how come you couldn’t be bothered to do this at home and get grossed out.
Well-Groomed Nails Make You Look Professional
Having your nails done is important as it exhibits a polished appearance (no pun intended).
What might help you make a habit of keeping an immaculate set of nails is if you understand what nail polish brands and colors work for you. Or which nail salons close by have positive reviews.
Mainly because achieving perfect elegant nails for work means not skimping on the products and the care that goes with them.
You might be asking yourself, why should I care this much?
Well, it’s simple, really. Having elegant nails makes you look and feel confident. And when you’re confident, people notice this about you, and that creates a positive impression of you.
An aura of confidence heightens one person’s level of interest and engagement with you which in work or business can be quite advantageous.
So while it may not seem like it’s not that important to pay attention to this extra level of detail involving your appearance, successful people know better. They know that to look well put together, they need to polish themselves.
Because once their image starts to shine through, its value and lasting effect may far outweigh the cost of a manicure.
Read More: Easy and Elegant Hairstyles for Successful Women
If you enjoyed this article, share it with your friends and colleagues!
3 Comments