Whether I’m wearing my nails long or short, I always keep up with my manicures. Throughout the years, my color preferences have gone through many phases. Nail art ranges from bright colors, shiny chrome, and sparkles to flower designs. Most about everything you can think of, I’ve tried. Nail polish colors and artistic nail designs are one easy way of expressing our individual styles.
These days I like to keep things pretty minimal and usually stick with neutral nail color. I prefer to have a polish shade that goes with whatever I wear. I’ll even wear the same shade for several months at a time. Not only does it save me time at the nail salon, but it also becomes part of my signature look.
Nail polish trends will come and go, but some shades you should always have in your arsenal. So I’m rounding up a list of nail colors that work with any outfit on any occasion.
Different Shades of Black Nails
Black
In the colder winter months, black polish is my go-to color. The darkest of neutrals, black nail polish goes with everything and always looks clean and sophisticated. Black colors can range from a true jet black to shades of “almost black,” like OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark, which is actually a super dark purple that looks black.
Jet Black
This densely pigmented hue adds an element of mystery, boldness, and drama to your manicure. Although you can wear black polish with any nail shape, it generally looks best when you keep your nails short and the shape neat.
Different Shades of White Nails
White
White nails are great all year long, particularly in the summer months. They’re obviously a neutral color but bold enough to compete with other dramatic colors. From opaque to sheer, white nail polishes are equally lovely on all skin tones, nail lengths, and shapes. One of my favorite nail polish colors is Funny Bunny, a soft white polish by OPI. I find that gold jewelry looks particularly stunning against this nail polish shade.
Pure White
White nail polish isn’t all the same. Different brands have varying levels of opacity, and unless it’s pure white, shades usually have pink or grey undertones. Pure white is often the shade of white used for a classic French manicure, but it also looks chic covering the whole nail. Play around with different polishes until you find your perfect shade.
Different Shades of Brown Nails
Brown
If black nails are a little too goth-like for you, brown nails are the next neutral nail shade that works well for any occasion. It’s probably one of the most versatile neutral nail polish colors to wear, with shades ranging from a dark cocoa brown to barely-there, nude, and light brown nails, and there’s a shade out there that will compliment every skin tone. Plus, matte brown nails are really in this year, especially on brown acrylic nails. So, consider a brown manicure next time you hit the salon. Tip: Brown nail designs look amazing on white nails as well.
Chocolate Brown Nails
Turns out that finding a rich chocolate brown nail polish is kinda hard to do. But don’t worry; I did the work for you and found the best deep, rich brown shades, including these deep brown polishes from Hermes and Sally Hansen.
Different Shades Of Grey Nails
Grey
Because there are so many different shades of grey to choose from, grey nail polish is very versatile. It’s a modern, minimalist neutral color that makes a great transition shade from fall into winter months. From iridescent and metallic to shades with purple, blue, and even green undertones, there’s a grey polish shade out there for everyone.
Shiny or Matte Grey
If you want a nail polish color that is different than the typical manicures you always see but subtle enough to wear every day, try a matte grey or warm grey polish.
Different Shades of Blue Nails
Blue
With colors like cobalt,periwinkle,and baby blue evoking thoughts of tropical beaches, blue nail polish is always on trend for summer and can work for everyone. A dark navy color can look like black from afar but it is a nice surprise upon closer inspection. Cobalt is great when you want to add a bright pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit. And shades like baby blue are perfect if you want a softer pastel color that compliments any outfit. And don’t forget blue ombre, so cute!
Light to Dark Blue
With a range of colors that start with the lightest raindrop blue to the darkest midnight, blue nail polish can work for anyone and any season.
Different Shades of Red Nails
Red
Red is such a versatile color. In general, you can choose from bright red, more like Christmas red, or deep red. Deeper reds give off much more sexy vibes, while your bright reds give off more Holiday vibes.
Do Red Nails Go With Everything
If bright pops of color are more your thing, red nails are always a classic. Not only are they sexy, but they will make just about any outfit looks great. A good tip to keep in mind when choosing red nail polish is to look for shades that compliment your skin tone. If you have fair skin, paint your nails with red shades that have blue undertones. Brighter reds work with warmer and olive skin and more purple reds with darker skin shades.
Different Shades of Pink Nails
Pink
Light pink and nude nails are about as user-friendly as it gets. Always elegant and classy, pink nail designs are soft and subtle but will always have you looking polished and put together. Nude nail polish and blush pink colors also offer the added benefit of elongating your fingers for more elegant-looking hands.
Bright Pink
If there’s one thing that all shades of pink have in common, it’s that it’s an ultra-feminine color. Shades of rose add a touch of sophistication, light pinks are soft, and hot pink shades are super girlie. There’s a shade of pink for just about everyone.
Different Shades of Green Nails
You can replace your classic black nail polish with dark shades like olive and forest green for something unexpected but still classy. Or go for something brighter in the summer time like pea green or blue-green shades.
Different Shades of Purple Nails
The color purple was historically reserved for royalty, so expect to be noticed when wearing jewel-tone shades like dark purple, amethyst, indigo, and violet. Softer shades, like lavender and lilac, are gracefuland feminine without being overly girlie.
Different Shades of Nude Polish
Nude nails elongate your fingers, giving you the look of more elegant hands. Nude polish doesn’t have to match the exact color of your skin to get these effects. You can usually find the perfect polish simply by going a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone.
For another way to wear nude polish, try the “lip gloss nails” trend. Lip gloss nails use slightly sheer polishes in nude shades to give your nails a natural, barely there look. It’s like how lip gloss enhances your natural lip color.
How To Choose A Nail Color
Consider Your Skin Tone
Ensure your nail color matches your skin tone well. This makes for a much more natural look. See above for more info about which shades of colors match which skin tones best.
Consider Your Outfits For The Week
If you like to plan ahead, think about your outfits for the week. Then, choose a coordinating color. This is especially easy in the Fall when we like to wear fall foliage-inspired colors more often.
Consider Any Upcoming Holidays
Love to have your nails painted according to the holiday? Check the calendar and choose based on upcoming holidays. Pink or red for Valentine’s Day. Red, white, and blue for independence day. Pretty pastels for welcoming Spring. And so on.
Consider The Season of The Year
Brighter nails look amazing in spring and summer. But fall and winter tend to call for those darker, more mysterious shades. Plus, outfits tend to follow this same color coordination as well. So, consider the time of year and choose lighter or darker shades depending on the season. This will make matching your nails to your outfit easier as well. Usually, nail polish brands like Sally Hanson will ensure you have a color for every season and holiday of the year.
Can You Mix Nail Polish Colors?
Many professional nail technicians mix colors together to create the perfect shade for their designs. And if you enjoy creating unique colors, you can do the same. You can easily create pastels or softer shades of your favorite colors by adding white polish to your color of choice.
If you liked this post, here are some more beauty posts you might find helpful, like 5 Steps To Summer Ready Feet
Xx Monti
