Choosing the right nail polish color can be tricky. With so many options to pick from, how do you know which shade is right for you? Finding a polish that complements your skin tone, matches your style, and fits the occasion can make all the difference in your manicure. Follow these tips to choose nail lacquers that make your hands look their best.
Consider Your Skin Tone
One of the most important factors in picking polish colors is finding shades that flatter your complexion. Certain hues will make your skin glow, while others can wash you out or look jarring.
Fair skin with pink or red undertones looks great with blue-based reds, pinks, corals, and peach shades. Stay away from brown and dark wine colors, which can make fair skin appear sallow.
Medium or olive skin can pull off deeper jewel-toned polishes like emerald, ruby, and sapphire. Metallic polishes also pair well with medium skin. Avoid pastels, which can look chalky.
Darker skin is complemented by darker, saturated nail colors. Try deep plums, chocolate browns, bright oranges and yellows. Sheer pinks and nudes don’t show up as well on darker skin.
Match Your Style
Nail polish can be an expression of your personal style. Think about what color palette best reflects your fashion sense and mood.
For a feminine, romantic look, try sheer pinks, nudes, or neutral shades like beige and gray. Stay away from neon brights.
Edgy rocker chicks can pull off dark vampy reds and purples, as well as matte black polish.
For a polished, put-together style, go for versatile pinks, reds, neutrals or French manicure tips.
Prefer a more eclectic look? Express yourself with eye-catching glitter polishes, neon brights, or a mix of clashing colors on different nails.
Consider the Occasion
The event or activity you’ll be doing can determine which nail polish colors are appropriate.
For the office or professional events, it’s best to keep polish subtle with neutrals, nude pinks, or classic reds. Save the glitter and bold colors for the weekend.
Going on a date? Romantic reds, sheer pinks or pretty pastels set the mood.
Hitting up a concert or party? Amp up the fun with metallic and shimmery polishes that catch the light.
Getting married? Bridal manicures are usually done in pale pinks, nudes, or French tips. Stay away from loud colors that will distract from your gown.
Play Up Your Nail Shape
Certain polish colors can make short or long nails appear more flattering.
Pale pinks, nudes and neutrals make short nails look longer. Dark colors tend to accentuate the tips and make them appear stubbier.
Long almond-shaped nails look great in deep reds and bright colors. Shorter square shapes are better complemented by pinks and neutrals.
Toenails have a wider nail bed that can pull off bolder colors like hot pink, purple, and blue. Delicate nails on fingers look better in lighter, sheer shades.
Match Your Makeup
Coordinating your nail color with your makeup results in a pulled-together, polished look.
Red, orange or coral polish pops against neutral or pink lipstick.
Vampy plum or wine nails complement a berry or dark lip.
Sparkly polishes match shimmery champagne and metallic eye shadows.
With bright eye makeup, keep nails muted. Bold pink shadow looks too competing with bright pink nails.
Consider Undertones
Nail polish colors have different undertones that interact with your skin’s undertones.
Cool undertones have hints of blue or purple like berry and emerald shades. They flatter cool-toned skin with pink and red undertones.
Warm undertones contain yellow, peach or coral. They look best on warm skin with olive and yellow undertones.
Neutral colors like sheer pink, beige and gray work on any skin tone since they lack strong undertones.
Alternating polishes with warm and cool undertones can help nails look whiter and brighter.
Try Seasonal Colors
Painting your nails in seasonal colors is a great way to get into the spirit of each time of year.
Winter looks great with deeper plums, wines, berries, and burgundy nails, or glittery silvers and golds. Spring brings out pretty pastels, mint greens, and yellows.
Bright corals, oranges and fiery reds match summer’s heat. For fall, try spicy cinnamon, olive and rust shades.
Use Color Wheel Pairings
The color wheel provides helpful guides on compatible polish pairings.
Complementary colors are opposites on the wheel, like red and green or purple and yellow. They create high-contrast striking nails when paired together.
Analogous colors sit next to each other on the wheel, like blue and purple. Combining them creates a harmonious vibe.
Try split-complementary by using one color with the two colors on either side of its complement. Yellow, blue and green work well together.
Don’t Forget Top Coat
The right top coat can help any nail polish color look its best.
Matte top coat mutes shiny polishes into a trendy flat finish. Use it over bold reds, pastels or metallics.
Glossy top coat adds shine and prevents chipping, ideal for pale and neutral polishes.
Quick-drying top coat helps any polish set without smudges and is great if you’re short on time.
Ridge-filling top coat evens out ridges for a smooth look, perfect if you have ridges or grooves.
Test Colors First
The actual polish color on your nails can look very different from how it appears in the bottle. Before committing to painting all ten fingers, do a test run.
Swipe the polish on one nail so you can view it on your hand in different lighting. See how it pairs with your complexion and if you like it after a few hours.
You can also paint color swatches on a plastic nail tip or even on your skin to get a preview before an entire manicure.
Consider Your Current Hair Color
Your current hair color is another factor that impacts what nail polish shades will be most flattering.
Light blonde and platinum hair looks great with deeper jewel tones and bright pops of color.
Warm brunettes and redheads can pull off warmer brick reds, corals and golden metallics.
Cool dark brunettes are complemented by vampy wines, icy silvers and gunmetal grays.
Matching your hair color exactly with your nail color can seem boring. Aim for shades that complement but don’t blend in.
How Long Will You Wear It?
Think about how long you want your manicure to last when selecting long-wear polish colors.
Neutral pinks, taupes and nude shades easily go a week without chips or looking worn.
White and black polish start to yellow and look dingy after 4-5 days.
Bright bold shades like cyan, magenta and lime green will need more frequent touch-ups.
Sheer jelly and frosted polishes show chips sooner and don’t have as long of a wear.
Don’t Forget Base Coat
Base coat is crucial for protecting nails from stains and allowing polish to adhere smoothly.
Sheer pink or white base coats camouflage yellow stains on nails for lighter polish colors.
Use ridge-filling base coat if you have noticeable ridges that polish can get caught in.
Color-locking base coats prevent nail polish from staining nails. Use under darker reds, blues and purples.
Choose Your Finish
Nail polish comes in a variety of finishes from glossy creams to textured metallics.
Cream polish dries to a smooth, shiny, opaque finish in any vibrant color. It’s a classic manicure look.
Sheer and jelly polishes let your natural nail show through for a soft, delicate effect.
Metallic and shimmer polishes contain iridescent particles that catch the light.
Matte polish dries to a flat, velvety finish. Use matte top coat to dull any creme polish.
Caviar polish has textured beads or velvet powder sprinkled on the wet lacquer to create a tactile, speckled effect.
Don’t Forget the Single Accent Nail
Spice up a neutral manicure by making one accent nail a bold, eye-catching shade.
Use your ring finger as the accent for a classic pop of color.
Try painting just the thumb a bright hue for a subtle twist.
Place darker accents near the tips of nails to make your fingers appear longer.
Metallic gold or silver accent nails add flair to any manicure.
Steer Clear of Sheer Polish Alone
Sheer, jelly and frosted polishes look best layered over an opaque base color. Wearing alone, they can allow yellow nails to show through.
Paint one coat of a matching creme polish first before applying shear shades like glazed pink or blue.
For a frosted look, choose an opaque polish in a similar color as the base. The black base underneath gray frosted polish makes the glitter pop.
Don’t Forget the Nail Tips
Don’t forget to swipe nail polish over the tips of your nails for a complete, polished look.
Leaving bare nail tips unattended can lead to peeling and snagging on clothing.
Even if using French tips or ombre colors, seal the nail tip with a clear glossy top coat to protect from damage.
Metallic polishes look more complete when swept over the nails tips instead of only painting the base.
Pick Up Some Nail Art Tools
Nail art supplies like striping tape, dotting tools and appliques allow you to get creative with any color polish.
Try taping off diagonal stripes or chevron patterns over a base polish. Dot on flowers or geometric shapes with contrasting colors.
Accent with small rhinestones, glitter flakes or even temporary nail jewelry like mini rings and chains.
Let accent nails showcase your nail art while keeping the other nails simple.
Don’t Forget White Polish
A bright clean white manicure can look elegant for summer or anytime of year. But not all whites are created equal.
Opt for a warm white rather than sterile hospital white for the most flattering effect against skin.
Sheer glazing over white polish helps hide visible nail ridges or yellowing.
Add dimension with white polka dots over a black base or white tips on top of blue polish.
Conclusion
Choosing a nail polish involves considering many factors like your skin tone, style, the occasion, and current manicure. Finding the right color can pull together your entire look. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different hues and combinations. The perfect polish shade is out there waiting for your nails! What colors will you try next?