Brigette Pheloung (also known as @acquired.style on her social media platforms) had the TikTok wedding that’s bound to become the blueprint for weddings to come. She tied the knot at The Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, on August 8, and even over a week later, the content just keeps coming in the form of photos and videos galore. Among the posts are several from members of her glam squad, including celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec (aka @julieknailsnyc), who took to Instagram to reveal that she was behind the social media influencer’s wedding manicure.
For the big day, the content creator and her manicurist went with a soft, milky pink-nude: sheer, glossy and just barely-there, in a rounded almond shape. Kandalec did the big reveal in an Instagram carousel, captioning it, “The perfect wedding mani à la @essie for @acquired.style,” tagging the rest of Pheloung’s glam squad and crediting herself for the nails. She revealed she used Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish ($13) in the shade Sheer Fantasy, which the brand describes as a “longwear, graceful sheer-pink.”
The shade fits perfectly into the “your-nails-but-better” trend that’s been popular for bridal manicures (and beyond) this year. As nail artist and founder of Slynko Beauty Bloom Studio Maryna Slynko told NewBeauty, “Milky pink remains one of the most versatile shades. I love that it enhances the natural look of the nails and always feels clean, polished and elegant.”
While Kandalec layered Sheer Fantasy for a milkier, less sheer finish, the polish can also be worn thinner (true to its name). Essie’s own Instagram shows it applied lighter, leaving a glossy, barely-there flush. The brand calls that version a “milky rose sugar manicure,” proof this one polish can go from full bridal glam to your everyday no-makeup mani in no time.
