Every Time I Wear This Nail Color, I Get So Many Compliments

Something magical happens when I wear orange nail polish. Not
just any kind of orange, though—it’s a very specific,
pumpkin-turmeric hybrid that apparently jumps right off my hands
and into the eyeballs of friends and strangers, who are
then powerless to throwing an “OMG, what color is that?” my way.
It’s a boost of color confidence I really need because aside from
the occasional nail
art moment, I tend to stick to pretty neutral nail polishes I
know will complement my brown skin.

This personal hue development got me thinking about ways to
help women
of every skin tone consistently pick winning manicure shades.
After all, selecting a flattering hue off the giant polish wall
at the salon takes forever. (Why does it sometimes feel like a
minefield of potentially disastrous results?) Thankfully, there are
some simple guidelines to help make sure your chosen lacquer will
accentuate your skin tone every time.

Keep reading to find out the best nail color options for every
complexion, according to celebrity manicurists who know it all when
it comes to shade matching. And be sure peep the curated selection
of polishes, broken down into easy-to-shop categories, so you can
have a guaranteed winner or two on hand for your next mani.

According to
Sabrina Gayle, a London-based celebrity manicurist whose work
has appeared in countless magazines and campaigns, there’s a
ton of versatility in terms of the colors that look great on the
nails of darker-skinned people. “Bright greens, oranges, fuchsia
pinks, and neons, as well as classic nudes with an off-white
undertone all work. And don’t forget a good orangey-red shade,” she
advises.

Mazz Hanna, celebrity manicurist and founder of her eponymous

crystal-infused skincare line, agrees, adding that bright
coral is another color that really pops on darker skin. In terms of
nudes, she recommends selecting one that’s a couple of shades
lighter or darker than your skin. “If you pick something identical
to your skin, you’ll end up with mannequin hands, which is
definitely a look, but not my preference,” she comments.

Hanna notes that for those whose skin tones fall in the middle
of the spectrum, jewel tones are always a hit. “I especially love
deep, metallic greens and dark purples,” she says. In terms of
neutrals, Hanna reaches for soft pink, noting that these shades
look nice on just about everyone, but especially those with olive
skin.

Because of the golden tone that might already exist in the
skin, Gayle cautions away from certain hues in that family of
colors. “It is best to stay away from gold and terra-cotta tones,
as medium skin tones tend to have an already bronzy glow,” she
advises.

Our experts both agree that dark, rich colors are their favorite
ones to see on lighter complexions. “To me, nothing looks chicer
than a short red or black nail on light or fair skin,” Hanna
asserts. “It’s shocking and makes a bold statement of confidence.”
Gayle adds that corals, peaches, and purples are also winners here.
When considering nude nails, keep the anti-mannequin-hands practice
in mind and stick with shades that are either a couple of shades
lighter or darker than your actual skin if you prefer to keep your
look healthy and natural.