The Best Nail Colors For Every Skin Tone

 

The great thing about nail polishes is that there are really no rules. You can choose whatever color of nail polish your heart desires depending on the season or your mood. However, choosing the right shade of polish that works best with your skin tone can really make your manicure pop and flatter your skin. From deep skin tones to fair ones and cool undertones to warm, there’s a variety of colors and shades that can be super flattering. If you’re on the hunt for your next favorite nail polish, lucky for you we’ve done the dirty work for you. Once you figure out if your skin tone is warm, cool, or neutral, continue reading below for expert tips on choosing the best shade for your skin tone as well as a curated list of SNS colors.

 

Fair 

If you have fair skin, there's a good chance you have red or light colored hair, light eyes, and burn easily in the sun.Fair skin tends to have cooler undertones, so it’s best to choose nail colors on the cooler side with blueish undertones. A sheer cool pink, ivory, or metallic gray looks great on fair skin for an everyday nail look. However, if you’d like to go bolder, a deep blue or burgundy can also look stunning. You also can never go wrong with a fire-engine red. Just keep in mind, that there are endless shades of red, so if you have fair skin, try to opt for one with cool undertones instead of warm to really compliment your skin. Try Gelous Colors GC045 - Lava Inferno, a deep red, or NC05 - Fresh Meat, a cool, blush pink. 

GC045

NC05

LV16

SP20

            

Light 

Those with a light skin tone, may have warmer yellow or beige undertones than those with fair skin and may tan easier in the sun. If you have a light skin tone, beige, whites, soft pinks, pastels, and lilac look super fresh and flattering. However, if you’re looking to make a statement or prefer bolder colors, you can never go wrong with a candy-apple red, vivid pink, or warm gold. Try Gelous Colors BP31 - Buff Your Feathers, a gorgeous ivory beige, or BP23 - Lilac Roller, a cool lilac.

BP31

BP23

BM29

NC13

            

Medium

Medium skin tones are slightly darker and can have cool, warm, or neutral undertones and tends to tan well in the sun. For those with medium skin tones, a variety of colors are exceptionally flattering. While this skin tone can wear almost any color, keep in mind whether you have warm or cool undertones in your skin to choose the best nail polish shade. A deep burgundy looks stunning on medium-toned skin, while a dusty rose or mauve looks ultra-chic and feminine. Try Gelous Colors GC059 - Dusty Rose or GC254 - Shrimp Cocktail, a gorgeous burgundy.

GC059

GC254

NC26

FC06

            

Olive

Olive skin, like medium skin tones, yet with warmer golden undertones work with a wide range of nail colors. However, since olive skin tends to be on the warmer side, nail polish colors with warmer undertones tend to look best on this skin tone. A bright red with orange undertones or a juicy plum compliments olive skin flawlessly, while a nude color a shade lighter or darker than your skin is a classic choice that can really bring out your olive complexion. Try Gelous Colors GC262 - Cute as a Nail, the perfect red-orange, or IS13 - Chocolate Fountain, a creamy, chocolately brown with a touch of glitter.

GC262

AN03

IS13

IS24

            

Tan

During the summer months, if you've spent a lot of time in the sun and have developed a nice tan, there are ways to complement it by choosing the right nail color. Vivid colors like bright pinks or yellow can really make your golden skin pop, while warm, peachy oranges and reds or a sheer ivory and white can make you look more tan. Try Gelous Colors IS07 - Tropical Sunset, which is quite literally a tropical sunset in a bottle, or SP18- Oh Shiela, a vivid, warm peach to make that tan stand out. 

IS07

SP18

GC374

DW16

            

Deep

Deep skin tones fall into the deepest range. Bold and vivid colors or neons work really well on darker skin tones, making that mani pop. Think vivid pinks, fiery reds, and sunny yellows. However, if bright colors aren’t your thing, a deep brown looks timeless and chic. While any bright or bold color works well on deep skin tones, this skin tone tends to have cooler undertones so you can never go wrong with a color sporting blue-ish undertones. Try Gelous Colors IS08 - Raspberry Beret, a bold reddish-purple, or FC01 - Son of a Biscuit, a deep, elegant wine color. 

IS08

FC01

GC049

DW34