Date Night Manicures

Florence Kane, Vogue

It's Valentine's Day, and you want to be prepared-especially when it comes to receiving something sparkling and statement-worthy to wear on your finger or wrist. So before heading out the door for dinner, you'll want to put a little pre-date nail polish strategy into effect.

Does your sweetheart know you've been yearning for a Jennifer Meyer rose-gold heart bracelet? Maybe get a manicure with a matching metallic pink polish in anticipation. On the other hand, if you have no idea what will be inside that little red box handed to you over a glass of champagne, you may want something more neutral. Meyer recommends soft blush tones like Essie's Mademoiselle or Ballet Slippers. "You'll never regret those." For more drama, she prefers the bold fuchsia pop of Deborah Lippmann's Between The Sheets-or the blackened Bordeaux intensity of Chanel's Vamp, which she's currently wearing with her emerald cigar-band ring. "I love the rich contrast."

Irene Neuwirth isn't "big on bright colors" for nails. She likes a deep gray or almost-black navy polish. Her recent favorite is GNB, a rich royal-blue shade by Bernard Wilhelm for Uslu Airlines. "It looks especially good with my new opal pieces," she explains.

But don't think you have to be basic for Cupid to strike. Delfina Delettrez loves a pop of candy color on the hands-and as far as she's concerned, the more out-of-the-box the better. "The first thing that comes to mind with Valentine's Day is a candle-light dinner," she says. "So you should wear glow-in-the-dark polish." The focus should be on your fingers, so "maybe you'll get the ring."

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