tips & trends
what are the best nail colours for dark skin?
finding nail polish colours that suit your skin tone can be tricky, especially when there’s a seemingly endless choice of colours and combos you can use!
though we’re a firm believer that you can rock any colour you want, some colours undeniably look great on certain skin tones, and bring out the best parts of your complexion.
in this article, we’ll look at some of the best nail colours for dark skin, going from the classics to the trendiest shades and teaching you how to analyse your skin tones/undertones to pick the perfect colour.
the best nail colours for dark skin: key takeaways
● nail colours can make or break a look, so finding the right shade for you is important.
● before you start picking nail polishes, check your skin undertones. warm undertones pair best with bright colours, while cool undertones suit more subtle, pastel shades.
● there are countless nail colours that suit dark skin, but some of our favourites include: olive green, neon orange, metallic silver, lilac, and baby pink.
● for countless nail colours for dark hands and skin, browse essie’s full range of nail polishes.
how to choose the best nail colours for dark skin
while some people may say that the best nail colours for brown skin are bright, neon colours, we prefer to take a little bit more of a colour theory-based approach.
one of the most important things you can do when choosing a nail colour (regardless of skin tone) is to determine your skin’s undertones. a simple test you can do for this is:
● if you have green veins, you have warm undertones.
● if you have blue or purple veins, you have cool undertones.
● if you have both, you have neutral undertones.
once you’ve worked out your undertones, you can go about finding the best nail colour for dark skin, for you. a good rule of thumb is:
● warm undertones pair best with rich, luminous shades like orange or gold.
● cool undertones pair best with cooler or pastel shades like silver or baby blue.
the best nail colours for dark skin
if you need some inspo for good nail colours for dark skin, then we’ve got you covered. here are some of our favourite shades that are guaranteed to make your nails pop!
emerald green
a classic, and for a good reason, emerald green is one of the best nail colours for dark skin. a deep, classy, and rich shade, emerald green is perfect for those looking to add a touch of elegance to a longer set of nails.
for the perfect shade, check out essie’s seize the crown, a regal shade for a classy look.
metallic silver
looking for a go-to shade to show off in the winter sun? why not try a metallic silver, a versatile but bold shade that’s one of the best nail colours for dark skin.
metallic silver nail polishes, like essie’s après-chic are perfect for adding a shine you can’t take your eyes off to shorter nails.
neon orange
if big, bold colours are your thing, then you need to try neon orange nails. our apricot jelly gloss nail polish is designed for layering and nail art, meaning you can mix it into other colours for a subtler colour pop or keep it loud and solo.
as a warm, summery shade, it’s a perfect nail colour for dark hands with warm undertones.
lilac
more of a fan of cooler, natural tones? you’re in need of a lilac nail polish like our iconic lilacism.
a soft and smooth shade perfect for those with cool or neutral undertones, lilac is ideal for adding a pop of colour to your nails in spring or summer. for an even more subtle lilac infusion, try using it for your french tips!
crimson
one of the best nail colours for tanned skin, crimson is a deep and elegant shade that adds a glowing warmth to your hands, making it perfect for the colder months of the year.
try a coat of essie’s not a phase crimson red nail polish with a touch of our metallic silver set in stones for a glamorous, ice-cold wintery look.
baby pink
baby pink is one of the cutest nail colours for dark skin out there. perfect for summer sun or cosy winter looks, baby pink is guaranteed to make your nails pop.
try a coat of our gossamer garments for a glossy baby pink shade to die for!
sienna brown
we might be biased, but we think the best nude nail polish for brown skin is our iconic clothing optional shade!
a natural, sienna brown nail colour, clothing optional, adds a new depth to nude shades that leaves nails looking textured and rich. perfect for any season, or nail length, why not make our nude shade your next nail colour?
olive green
one of the trendiest colours out there also happens to be maybe the best nail colour for dark skin!
olive green is everywhere right now, including some of our favourite nail looks. our precious car-go! shade is a dusty olive green, perfect for adding a glamorous touch of colour to your look.
discover your ideal nail colour with essie
whether you’re after a subtle pop of colour or the boldest shade you can find, essie has you covered. our range of nail shades includes way more nail colours for dark hands than we could fit into one article, so check out the full range and discover your perfect colour match today!
best nail colours for dark skin FAQs
there are plenty of pretty toenail colours for dark skin that are perfect for summer wear. Our favourites from the essie range include:
● rev it up: a bright, sunny yellow.
● sky jelly gloss blue nail polish: a vibrant blue.
● resort fling: a peachy coral.
for a nail colour for dark hands that brings a real pop of colour, we recommend:
● apricot jelly gloss nail polish: a bold neon orange.
● you can-dy it: a bright neon pink.
● buttercup jelly gloss yellow nail polish: a glossy yellow.
if you’re searching for a nail polish that suits you, one of the best places to start is with your skin’s undertones:
● if you have warm undertones, you’ll suit richer, summery shades like our rev it up yellow nail polish.
● if you have cool undertones, you’ll suit cooler, wintery shades like our salt water happy blue nail polish.
there are countless pretty toenail colours for dark skin, but some of our favourites are:
● blush pink jelly nail polish
● arctic jelly gloss soft white nail polish
● dopamine rush