Save up to 50% on new deals from 40 Boxes!

Open menu

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Style

Meghan Markle's twist on the royal manicure: How to get her look

VIDEO: What to know about Meghan Markle's first solo engagement with Queen Elizabeth
2:38
Meghan Markle's first solo engagement with Queen Elizabeth
ABCNews.com
ByGood Morning America
June 15, 2018, 12:48 pm

When Meghan Markle stepped out Thursday for her first solo engagement with Queen Elizabeth, all eyes were not only on her show-stopping Givenchy dress and her pearl and diamond earrings that were a gift from the queen, but also her nails.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, put a slight twist on the neutral nails we’re accustomed to seeing on royals.

While she didn’t go wild with a deep shade of red or an electric blue that would have had royal watchers buzzing, she accented her cream dress with off-white nails.

PHOTO: Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex visits the Storyhouse, June 14, 2018 in Chester, England.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex visits the Storyhouse, June 14, 2018 in Chester, England.
Phil Noble/Getty Images

Rita Remark, Global Lead Educator for the nail polish line Essie, believes Meghan achieved the look by layering a sheer white base coat with a sheer pink top coat.

“Classic 'marshmallow' – - sheer white and wearable -– layered with 'mademoiselle,' which makes it off-white with a slight pink tone to it,” said Remark, referring to two Essie nail polish shades. “From my eye, that looks like what she was wearing.”

Meghan, 36, reportedly wore another Essie shade, "ballet slippers," for her May 19 wedding to Prince Harry.

Remark would say only, “We’ve always had a great relationship with the royal family.”

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan wave as they ride a horse-drawn carriage after their wedding ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, May 19, 2018.
Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan wave as they ride a horse-drawn carriage after their wedding ceremony at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, May 19, 2018.
John Sibley/PA Wire via ZUMA Press

Meghan’s nail color choice on Thursday was “in line with the color family” worn by royals but with more pigment, according to Remark.

Editor’s Picks

Oprah Winfrey reveals what happened when Meghan Markle's mom stopped by her house

  • Jun 12, 2018

Designer replicates Meghan's bridal dress within 22 hours of royal wedding

  • May 25, 2018

Queen Elizabeth gives Meghan Markle pearl and diamond earrings for their first trip together

  • Jun 14, 2018

“I think it was her boldest statement on her nails since entering the limelight in this capacity,” she said of Meghan. “I think she’s kind of made it her own.”

PHOTO: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II laugh during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, June 14, 2018, in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II laugh during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, June 14, 2018, in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Here is how you can recreate the look.

PHOTO: Meghan Markle Nail Look
Meghan Markle Nail Look
GMA Photo Treatment, Getty

A sheer white shade, like Essie's “marshmallow” can be used as the base.

Layer that with a sheer pink shade, such as Essie's “allure" or "mademoiselle" as a veil over top.

PHOTO: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II laugh during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, June 14, 2018, in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II laugh during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, June 14, 2018, in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

By layering, you can make any nude shade your own, and one that flatters your skin tone, according to Remark.

Adding sheer white will lighten the color, while adding sheer pink will soften it.

When layering, the base color should have more pigment than the top color, which should be like a veil.

PHOTO: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II laugh during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, June 14, 2018, in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II laugh during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge, June 14, 2018, in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England.
Getty Images

If you want to go even bolder than Meghan for summer, Remark recommends a pure white shade, like "first fitting," available later this month in Essie's new Gel Couture Avant-Garde collection.

Bonus tip

"If you are wearing lighter nail colors, don’t forget to use cuticle oil," Remark said. "If you polish your nails beautifully but your cuticles aren’t in line, that’s the first thing people will see. It’s distracting."

Related Topics
  • Royal Family

Editor’s Picks

Oprah Winfrey reveals what happened when Meghan Markle's mom stopped by her house

  • Jun 12, 2018

Designer replicates Meghan's bridal dress within 22 hours of royal wedding

  • May 25, 2018

Queen Elizabeth gives Meghan Markle pearl and diamond earrings for their first trip together

  • Jun 14, 2018
Up Next in Style—

Best matching holiday family pajamas from Hanna Andersson, Kohl's and more

September 29, 2023

'Tube Girl' Sabrina Bahsoon takes confidence to the next level

September 28, 2023

'Grab your big scarf': Lenny Kravitz makes clever TikTok debut

September 25, 2023

Natalia Bryant makes her runway debut during Milan Fashion Week

September 25, 2023

Up Next in Style—

Best matching holiday family pajamas from Hanna Andersson, Kohl's and more

September 29, 2023

'Tube Girl' Sabrina Bahsoon takes confidence to the next level

September 28, 2023

'Grab your big scarf': Lenny Kravitz makes clever TikTok debut

September 25, 2023

Natalia Bryant makes her runway debut during Milan Fashion Week

September 25, 2023

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News