55 Nail Colors That Are Especially Gorgeous on Dark Skin
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There are all sorts of theories about what nail colors you should or shouldn't wear based on your skin tone. This is especially true for those of us with deeper complexions. But I'm here to tell you that you can wear whatever hue you want as long as it makes you happy. And while we can rock any shade, there are some colors that look especially stunning on deeper complexions.
"Dark skin possesses a beautiful depth and richness that enhances the appearance of all nail polish shades," says Rachel James, founder of polish brand Pear Nova. "Bold and vibrant colors tend to pop and create a beautiful contrast and add a touch of drama."
Related: 20 Dark Fall Nail Colors for a Cozy-Chic Manicure
According to celebrity manicurist Gina Edwards, the only shades you may want to steer clear of are those that look ashy. "Some shades can read gray and don't complement the skin tone," says Edwards.
If you're in the market for colors that will pop against your melanin, you're in the right place. Ahead, we've got 55 nail colors that are gorgeous on dark skin.
Pear Nova Lemon Drop Logic
Pear Nova
“There’s just something about a bright yellow on dark skin that demands everyone’s attention,” says James.
$14
Essie Tangerine Tease
Essie
“Bright orange is electric against darker skin tones,” says Edwards.
$10
OPI Funny Bunny
OPI
"Funny Bunny by OPI is the nice creamy white that really pops on darker skin tones,” says Lori Banks, a nail artist in Los Angeles.
$12
ORLY Roam With Me
ORLY
“Roam With Me is the most perfect taupe shade that will go with any outfit,” says Mazz Hanna, manicurist and founder of Nailing Hollywood. “It has a pink undertone that will really make your natural nails pop.”
$11
OPI Put on Something Ice
OPI
“Pink with soft glitter metallic is playful and a whimsical day-to-evening color,” says Edwards.
$12
Pear Nova Kissu Miss You
Pear Nova
"This is a vibrant, fiery red that's incredibly flattering on dark skin tones,” says James. “It's a timeless shade that screams sophistication."
$14
Dazzle Dry CEO
Dazzle Dry
"This is the perfect ready-to-wear winter red polish," says Hanna. "If you're not familiar with Dazzle Dry, it's the absolute best for a quick at-home manicure because it dries completely within five minutes. It also lasts longer than regular polish. I typically get seven to 14 days of wear depending on how rough I am on my nails."
$22
OPI Blame the Mistletoe
OPI
“This color is perfect for a party nail, especially with the holidays approaching,” says Edwards.
$15
ILNP Sea Glass
ILNP
“Blue shimmer gives way to Studio 54 vibes,” says Edwards. The glitter in this polish is silvery and super reflective.
$10
Dior Mirror
Dior
“This beautiful reflective silver is the closest thing you’ll get to chrome polish straight out of the bottle,” says Hanna. “It looks beautiful and dramatic on deep skin tones.”
$30
Pear Nova Cleo F*ckin Patra
Pear Nova
“This is a bronze metallic shade that complements dark skin beautifully,” says James. “Its radiant shimmer adds an instant touch of glamour, making it perfect for special occasions and everyday wear.”
$14
ORLY Monroe’s Red
ORLY
“Monroe’s Red is a timeless and versatile shade that works well for various occasions,” says Hanna. “This is the perfect shade to put the ‘Red Nail Theory’ to the test.”
$11
Related: How "Red Nail Theory" Can Help Unlock Your Inner Confidence
Habit Blue Jean Baby
Habit Cosmetics
This cornflower blue is super gorgeous. It has depth without being super dark, allowing the shade to really pop.
$12
Olive & June CV
Olive & June
“When it comes to a red, I really like CV by Olive & June,” says Banks. It's a true bright red that doesn't read super orange or blue.
$9
Un/Dn Laqr Melt Down
Coppery shades can function like a neutral when you have a deeper skin tone. This one has pretty golden undertones and adds a subtle pop to the nails.
$18
ORLY Cake Pop
ORLY
“For whites, I tend to go for more of a not-so-white white, and I think Cake Pop by ORLY is the perfect off-white and cream mixed together,” says Banks.
$11
Hermès Brun Bistre
This deep brown has a super neutral base. It truly makes each nail look like a rich espresso bean.
$55
The Ballet in Low Key
The Ballet
Turn your nails into creamsicles with this orange shade from The Ballet. It's perfect if you want a light shade without veering into pastel territory.
$22
Pear Nova Michelle Our Mama
Pear Nova
Michelle Our Mama is a gorgeous milk-chocolatey shade of brown that works beautifully as a nude on darker skin tones. Note that it's a gel polish requiring a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.
$21
Aprés Toadally Awesome
Aprés
This funky green shade from Aprés has become a favorite of mine. It gives serious '70s vibes. Note that it's a gel polish requiring UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.
$15
Related: We Tried 9 At-Home Gel Manicure Kits — These 6 Deliver Salon-Quality Results
Holo Taco Bat B*tch
Go dark with this pewter shade from Holo Taco. It's got tiny hints of silver shimmer that up the wattage on the metallic finish.
$14
ORLY Country Club Khaki
ORLY
“For nude [polish shades], I like Country Club Khaki by ORLY,” says Banks.
$11
Hermès Orange Poppy
Orangey reds are so pretty on deeper skin tones. The red in this shade also keeps the polish from being too autumnal so you can wear it year-round.
$55
Breukelen Yerrr
Breukelen
Yerrr from Breukelen (pronounced Brooklyn) is a striking cobalt blue. Even without a hint of sparkle, the shade is a bold statement.
$13
Aprés No This Is Patrick
Aprés
There's just something about coral that looks fabulous on deeper skin tones. That's why I love this pinky-coral hue from Aprés, which is inspired by our favorite starfish. Note that it's a gel polish requiring a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.
$15
OPI Verde Nice to Meet You
This minty hue is a few shades darker than the hue typically is, allowing it to read well on a deeper complexion.
$12
Static Nails Martini Goggles
You can never go wrong with bubblegum pink. It's a pretty and playful without being too loud.
$16
Pear Nova One Piece Wonder
Pear Nova
Just shy of neon, this green shade is bright, fun, and especially striking against dark skin.
$14
Deborah Lippmann Her December
Deborah Lippmann
For a mauve-y shade that doesn't read chalky, grab Her December, one of the shades in the Debora Lippmann limited-edition fall nail polish set, Cozy.
$39
Aprés Deja Brew
Aprés
So dark it's nearly black, this brown is unapologetically moody. Note that it's a gel polish requiring a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.
$15
Dazzle Dry Prima Ballerina
Dazzle Dry
“This milky, delicate pink makes a beautiful French base,” says Hanna. “It’s sheer, yet buildable so you can customize the opacity and brightness depending on your preferences.”
$22
Cirque Colors Lyra
This shimmery brown is another metallic shade that reads like a neutral on darker complexions. It's an incredibly reflective polish.
$15
Mooncat Flight of the Monarchs
This iridescent orange shade has hints of blue, purple, and yellow that make it a super dynamic polish. And it's absolutely gorgeous on darker skin.
$15
Essie Expressie Outside the Lines
Wear this bright yellow-orange shade, and it will inject joy into your life every time you peer down at your hand.
$10
Holo Taco The Floor is Guava
This red shade is a bit muted, allowing you to enjoy the bold hue more subtly.
$12
Cirque Colors Introverde
Depending on the way the light hits, this green shade reflects pink and golden hues.
$17
Dazzle Dry Pumped Up Purple
Dazzle Dry
“Pumped up Purple is a beautiful dark blackberry purple that is perfect for the winter months,” says Hanna.
$22
Candy Paints Eastside Unicorn
Candy Paints
Give your nails a subtle wash of shimmer with this sheer iridescent shade from Candy Paints. The more layers you add, the more opaque the finish.
$22
Related: 35 Pretty Natural Nail Designs
Law Writings in the Sand
Law Beauty
This sandy shade is a warm beige with pretty yellow undertones. It's a great nude shade for deeper skin tones.
$4
Mooncat Everybody Scream
"Metallics and bright purples pop extremely well on deeper skin due to the vast difference between the skin tone and color, which make the combo dynamic," says Edwards.
$14
The Ballet Not Interested Sir
The Ballet
This orange shade looks so pretty on deeper skin. "The melanin in darker skin is the perfect canvas for bright, bold shades as they provide more contrast, which helps these colors 'pop' while still harmonizing with the rich shades of darker skin," says Banks.
$22
Cirque Colors Brightside
Brightside is a stunning coral-orange jelly polish with big pink flecks of glitter.
$17
Death Valley Nails New York Tap Water
Bright and pretty, this blue shade is great if you want a polish that's expressive without being too distracting.
$14
Holo Taco Feeling Fiendish
Thanks to its pink undertones, this purple polish leans warmer than purples usually do.
$12
Pear Nova Hustle + Glow
Pear Nova
This rose gold shade really shines. "Metallic and shimmering shades, like golds and bronzes, can accentuate the natural radiance of dark skin," says James.
$14
Mooncat Outlaw County
If you want a silver shade that's not overly bright, Outlaw County is perfect. It's got a deeper base that gives the color a bit of depth.
$15
Holo Taco Cereal Killer
Cereal Killer is a gorgeous lilac that's especially striking against deeper skin tones. The contrast is stunning.
$12
People of Color Topaz
People of Color
For a warm shimmery shade that isn't a true metallic, opt for this orange shimmer.
$12
Holo Taco Not Pressed
This serene shade of green is gorgeous. It has yellow undertones to keep it bright but retains enough depth to keep the shade grounded.
$12
The Ballet Gemini Eyes
The Ballet
Gemini Eyes is a deep teal shade that's a total standout, and on deeper complexions especially.
$22
Cirque Colors Klepto
With its subtle pink undertones, Klepto is a really pretty and lively shade of purple.
$13
ORLY Gel FX Act of Folly
ORLY Gel FX
I love how this mustard reads against deep brown skin — rich and golden. Note that this gel polish requires a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.
$20
Nash + Pino Maxine
Nash + Pino
Go bold with this fuchsia polish from Nash + Pino. The hints of blue in the color will allow it to really stand out against deeper skin.
$16
Holo Taco Modest Moss
This muted green is surprisingly versatile and reminiscent of an old-school classroom chalkboard.
$12
Aprés Tiffany’s Sister
Aprés
This robin egg blue —inspired by the iconic Tiffany shade — is gorgeous against deeper skin. Note that this is a gel polish and requires a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.
$15
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