Blog · 23 September 2026
Hen Do Nails: Matching Nails for the Whole Group Without the Hassle
Booking a salon for eight people on the same Saturday morning is its own small project, and it rarely costs less than a round of drinks per person. Nail strips turn it into something you can organise from a group chat, and can even become part of the weekend itself.
Matching, coordinating, or the bride stands out
There are three approaches that work, and the choice mostly comes down to how many photos you plan to take of everyone's hands together.
| Approach | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fully matching | Everyone in the same design | Big groups, lots of group photos |
| Coordinated | Same colour family, different designs | Groups who want some individuality |
| Bride stands out | Group matches, the bride wears something different | Almost everyone, and the most photogenic |
The third is the one we would recommend. The group in a shared colour with the bride in white or a pearl finish makes her obvious in every photo, which is rather the point of a hen do.
Picks that work
1. Modern French Tip
The classic choice for the bride. A French tip reads as bridal without being costume, and it works with any outfit she has planned. See Modern French Tip.
2. French Bows
For a bride who wants something more playful, a French tip with a bow detail keeps the bridal cue but adds a bit of fun. See French Bows.
3. Pink Chrome
A group shade with real presence, that photographs well in low light and still looks deliberate next to a white bridal nail. See Pink Chrome.
4. Rose Chrome
The softer version of the same idea, for a group that wants to coordinate without going quite so bright. See Rose Chrome.
What it costs, and the delivery trick
A gel set is £11.99 and does both hands for one person, since each set has 20 strips in 10 sizes. Delivery is free on orders over £35, which three sets clears, so if one person orders for the group rather than everyone ordering separately, nobody pays delivery. For a group of eight that is under £100 in total, against the cost of eight salon appointments.
Collecting the money is the only real admin. Agree it in the group chat before anyone orders.
Before you go, or at the hen do?
Before you travel is the safer option. Apply them a day or two ahead, in the evening, so the bond settles before anything like a hot tub or a pool. Everyone arrives done and nobody spends the first afternoon queuing for a lamp.
At the hen do can be a genuinely fun activity, a nail session with drinks before going out. The thing to plan for is the lamp: each hand cures in about 60 seconds, so with one lamp and eight people you are forming an orderly queue. Bring two lamps if you can, or do it with no-lamp polish strips instead, which need no equipment at all and suit an activity better.
One thing people forget
Check with the bride first. Some brides have a very clear idea of their wedding nails and would rather not be in a strong colour the weekend before. A quick message saves an awkward moment, and the wedding nails guide is worth sending her for the day itself.
Quick answers
What nails should you get for a hen do?
A popular approach is the group in one shared colour and the bride in white or a pearl French tip, so she stands out in every photo. Fully matching and colour-coordinated groups also work well.
How much do hen do nails cost with nail strips?
A gel set is £11.99 and covers both hands for one person. Delivery is free on orders over £35, so if one person orders for the whole group, nobody pays delivery.
When should we do our nails before a hen do?
A day or two before you travel, ideally in the evening, so the bond has settled before activities like hot tubs or swimming.
Can we do nails together at the hen do?
Yes, and it makes a good activity. Plan around the lamp, as each hand cures in about 60 seconds, so bring two lamps for a bigger group or use no-lamp polish strips instead.
Should the bride match the group?
Usually she looks best in something different, white or a pearl French tip, while the group matches. Check with her first, as some brides have plans for their wedding nails.
Velvora makes semi-cured gel nail strips, nail polish strips and nail care in the UK. Gel sets are 20 strips for £11.99, 10 sizes with two of each, and no-lamp polish strips are £5. All TPO and HEMA free, with free UK delivery over £35. Browse the full collection or start with the beginner guide.
Related reading: wedding nails, party nails and nails for travelling.
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