by Aline Agopian
 
Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Lebanon, my teacher at school would check my nails every morning by placing my hands on a napkin upon my desk. From a young age I learned that having clean and neat nails was an important representation of your character. Around 16 years old, my mom took me to a local nail shop and taught me that every week I had to get a manicure because it was a crucial ritual for all young ladies in order to look clean and polished.
 
Since then I have kept up this habit but luckily thanks to gel manicures, I only have to go every two weeks instead. Always known for having my nails in good shape, it's ironic that on one of the most important nights of my life, I opted out of getting my nails done. My gels were barely growing out and I told myself that I can still get away with it for a couple days.

Although my fiancé had chivalrously asked my parents for my hand in marriage a week before, my mom somehow stopped herself from spoiling the surprise by insisting that I go get a manicure. Always obsessed with finding the perfect neutral shade, I somehow predicted this would happen.
 
After having a nice dinner and taking a walk at the beach, both my then boyfriend and I's favorite place to go and unwind, Edward Badro surprised me with a proposal that felt like a dream. After happily accepting we celebrated with my parents and called our families and close friends to tell them the great news. The next morning, I knew what my first order of business would be; a manicure! I hate to admit it but I think I got my nails done a couple times that weekend. Being the girly girl that I am I had waited for this moment forever and wanted my nails to look perfect.

I first got an Essie shade because Essie makes the most beautiful sheer and natural colors. Essie's Ballet Slippers is one of my all-time favorites for a sheer look or Essie's Fiji for a more milky opaque shade. If you want something in the middle Mademoiselle is a great option. Essie really has all the best nude colors so I was so happy to find out that they now offer gel colors as well.

After about an hour, I realized that I had been so used to having gels that I ruined my manicure because I forgot that you have to pretty much not touch a thing for about an hour, especially with light shades which require several coats. The following morning we were going to the celebration so I went back to the salon for gels and got one of my favorite gel colors Essie's Urban Jungle.

Another great option for beautiful nude gels is Orly's Gel FX. Since I'm a fool for romance I loved wearing their fun bridal colors like Kiss the Bride and Prelude to a Kiss, which by the way is the perfect mix of coral and nude and just so happened to be the gel color I was wearing on my lucky night. After exploring a few nude options, I missed my pink nails and went back to my all-time favorite OPI's Mod About you.

Today I'm wearing a color called Romantique by CND UV Shellac, which is another favorite nude. Now that I have a wedding to plan, finding the perfect nude shade for my wedding day is probably the next thing I will obsess over. Depending on your skin tone, find the right nude for you because you never know when your nails have to be ready for a sudden surprise!
 
After a month of writing about bridal preparations and weddings for AzyaaMode, I couldn't help but dream about my own wedding and funny enough it was realized that night! I will definitely be searching through AzyaaMode to help me find the perfect dress and honeymoon destination.