So getting mine done very soon....and need help figuring out a few things. Note: I will wear a red/gold sari for the civil ceremony which will last like 15 minutes or so. Will not mingle with any guests at this time. Afterwards for the reception, my lehenga is silver with deep bright orange accents. Jewelry is silver with white stones. I'm more concerned about everything look good at the reception (not that concerned about ceremony).


1) How high should the mehndi go? Should it stop just at the elbow OR go a bit above the elbow? My kameez has short sleeves (about 5"). I'm thinking heavy traditional desi design.


2) What color nail polish? I don't want silver (already have enough silver in the outfit/jewelry). I also don't want french (personal preference). I was thinking of doing orange to match the outfit accent but the bright orange against the dark mehndi color might come across tacky...am I wrong in thinking this?

I'm attaching 2 OPI colors I'm considering....Expresso your Style or I'm Suzi & I'm a Chocoholic. Also Essie Wicked. I'm thinking some type of dark brownish color or something matching to the mehndi color. Any thoughts or suggestions?

** Pics are not behaving. They show up if you click on the X.

I'd stay away from such a dark nail polish colour, especially since it doesn't necessarily complement either of your outfits in terms of colour. It'll make your hands look very "dark", for lack of a better word, kind of sinister, LOL!

As for mehdni designs it's totally a personal preference, but I think less is more when it comes to mehndi. Especially if you're wearing bangles or bracelets, having your arms overwhelmed with a super intricate mehndi design and that too going all the way past your elbows seems very "busy".

I'd keep it to elbow or mid forearm personally.

^ Thanks! Yes, wearing bangles. On my hands itself, the only jewelry I'll have it my wedding band & engagement ring.

Polish wise: What color family would you recommend?

I'd stay in the red/dark red family.

Red and orange are a classic combo, so red can and should complement your white with orange bridal outfit. Find a shade of red that complements the orange in the outfit (something that might have orange-y or burgundy undertones).

Added to that, you know your skin better than us and depending on your skin tone, certain shades may look better on it. Also, the mehndi darkens differently on each person. Some people end up with super dark, cordovan shaded mehndi, for others because of their body chemistry, the colour is less dark and the mehndi looks orangish.

Is bronze too weird? Or copper even?

^ I think bronze or copper might work, but it has to be the perfect shade since her ceremony outfit has red/gold and the reception outfit has silver in it.

It just seems like she might have competing metallic shades going on.

Yeah I did think it would be too metallic-y. I think even something like coral you could go with but it's very difficult cos the wrong shade of colour would clash so badly.

eeek. French manicure would be a lot easier!

I love coral and I thought about suggesting that as well. But then thought it would be too matchy-matchy with the orange accents in her reception outfit. And then, if the mehndi colour is too pale and it doesn't darken, it'll blend in with that as well.

Ok....here are some other pics. You'll also see a picture of my hand with mehndi I got done a few weeks ago (NC42 if you guys know MAC colors). The color on my palm/back turned dark...but is looks like the arm/elbow might be more lighter. But then again dupatta will be draped over one arm and I'll have bangles.

So as mentioned, I'm more concerned about the reception since that's when most pics will be taken & guests will see me up close. Civil ceremony is short and I'm literally walking down to aisle, and walking out afterwards to change for reception.

Red wise: here are 2 options....OPI Got the Blues for Red OR OPI Big Apple Red.

Agree that french manicure would be an easy fix to my stress BUT I really, REALLY dislike the "look" of it on my hands.

OK this may be a really dumb Q.

So my arms has fine hair and I never remove it. It doesn't bother me. But for mehndi purposes....should I? As in does having the hair or having it totally clean have any effect on how the mehndi color sets in OR how long it lasts?

I have fine hair on my arms as well, but I wax it and I think the difference between pre- and post-waxed arms looks phenomenal! As for the mehndi colour setting on your arms, I couldn't say. But the mehndi will definitely dye the hairs on your arm.

What other shades of red could you consider? I think this is a nice shade, but it would be great to compare a few shades.

^ Thanks! Hair def. coming off then....

Here are some 5 reds that I already own. But I have an Ulta 10 minutes away so I'm have access to most other colors. (If the pics show X, please click on the X.)


Essie Bold and Beautiful




OPI Got the Blues for Red





OPI Big Apple Red






OPI Vodka & Caviar




OPI From A to Z-urich

Personally, I vote for Big Apple Red from the colours you have because it's a bold red that DOESN'T have a pinkish undertone. I think it would pair well with the orange accents in your reception outfit.

Ok here's another option: Thoughts on this?

Image Detail for - http://www.nailnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/OPI-Tasmanian-Devil-Made-Me-Do-It.jpg

How about these colours?

This one is a darker red:

OPI - An affair in red square




or

OPI - Red my fortune cookie or Comet loves cupid?

red nails all the way! i'm not really a waitress by OPI is a universally flattering red and looks really lovely and classy.
also, i highly recommend keeping your nails short to avoid the cinderella's step mother long-ass evil nails look





i'd keep the mehendi as minimal as possible- you don't want it competing with your outfit. i'd personally only go up to your wrist or an inch or so past it- the picture you've posted is perfect! too much mehendi can be just too distracting with everything else that is going on in your outfit with kaam, jewellery, makeup, nails etc. imagine the finished product

Thanks for the recs!

Affair in Red Square/I'm not really a waitress: These have a bit of shimmer to them....personally given a choice, I prefer cremes.

I like the Red my Fortune Cookie....called my Ulta and they're out of it. I'll drop by Ulta tonight to see what they have. Sehrysh: Have you seen this in real life? Looking at the pic, it looks similar to Tasmanian Devil made me do it (but has a bit more red).

SGC: Nooooooo!!! Don't say that...... I'll never be able to do mehndi close to my elbows again..... *pout*