The Very Best Red Nail Polishes for Every Skin Tone
Designer Bill Blass once said, “When in doubt, wear red.” But we bet he wasn’t facing down a wall of nail-polish bottles at the time. In that case, red is just the first choice to be made; doubt usually remains as you narrow the field of similar-but-totally-different options. You’re free to overanalyze other things (your job, your relationship, your lunch order), but we’ve figured out exactly which red polishes will look best with your skin tone.
By Chloe Metzger
FAIR
Red shades with a touch of blue are ideal for fair skin, which tends to have cooler undertones. “A classic red—think crimson or cardinal—contrasts with pale skin just enough to leave your hands looking crisp and clean,” says Sally Hansen manicurist Madeline Poole. If you want to go a bit darker, try a rich raspberry or make a statement with a deep cherry red. Just make sure it doesn’t look too close to black against your fair skin. As a rule, stay away from warm reds or corals; they emphasize the natural ruddiness often found in pale skin.
OUR PICKS:
• Essie nail polish in Raspberry (shown here)
• Maybelline New York Color Show Nail Lacquer in Paint the Town
Related: 50 Beauty Products to Try Before You Die
MEDIUM
If your skin looks naturally sun-kissed all year round (or you have a love affair with self-tanner), you likely fall into this category. Your skin’s warm undertones help make bright corals and pink-y reds—colors that can highlight blotchiness in light skin tones—look especially flattering on your nails. But if you’re searching for a manicure that doesn’t scream “tropical vacation,” reach for a red with a little gold iridescence. “Violet-reds with a fine dusting of shimmer illuminate the nail and bring out the golden tones in the skin, without looking too glittery,” says Poole.
OUR PICKS:
• Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Wine Not (shown here)
• Julep Nail Color in Shawn
Related: Top Anti-aging Products $25 and Under
OLIVE
Your skin has a unique combination of yellow and green undertones, which sounds a little scary but is actually great news: “Olive skin is one of the few tones that look amazing with warm, bright reds,” says Poole. For a classic look, try a tomato-red polish (it’ll offset green hues that can sometimes stand out in olive skin). Or go bold with a vibrant, tangerine-based red.
OUR PICKS:
• Butter London Nail Lacquer in Ladybird (shown here)
• Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in All Fired Up
DARK
Darker complexions can’t go wrong with shades in the bordeaux family. “Deep, vampy burgundies give a beautiful contrast to dark skin without looking too harsh,” says Poole. If dramatic isn’t your style, try a few coats of an opaque purple-red. “A translucent red may look dull on dark skin, so look for a dense pigment with hints of coral and white,” Poole explains.
OUR PICKS:
• Zoya Professional Lacquer in Toni (shown here)
• Chanel Nail Colour in Accessoire
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ESSIE, SALLY HANSEN, BUTTER LONDON, ZOYA
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