Black Nails

Black Nails swatch

This post contains affiliate links and Lots of Lacquer will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links.

Whenever I’m looking for a sleek and sophisticated look, black nail polish is what I reach for. It's sexy and looks like patent leather on the hand. It’s an understated neutral, in the same category as white and brown, yet more vampy.

Black nail colors give your nails a formal look and I like them for upscale events. Black nails have a theory like red nail theory, except unlike red nail theory, this color doesn’t involve impressing men. 

Black nail theory suggests that this nail color inspires confidence and empowers the self, rather than specifically attracting men.

Black nails are a symbol of defiance, non-conformity, rebellion. They also represent strength, confidence and power, making it a popular shade among male nail polish aficionados.

Black nail polish colors can be worn over the whole nail, or as a nail art accent. I personally like black as a pedicure color, especially when pairing it with white as the manicure color.

If you’re looking for black nail polish inspiration, below are 5 of my favorite nail polish shades. 

essie climbing high swatch

essie climbing high

A big thank you to Beyond Polish for sending us this color to share, climbing high is a dark graphite that looks like a hematite gemstone in direct sunlight.

It’s shown in 2 coats and from the summer 2023 push play collection.

Use coupon code LOTSOFLACQUER for 10% OFF

essie licorice swatch

essie licorice

licorice is an essie classic. It’s one of essie’s best sellers and one of the original essie shades first released in 1982, according to The Polish Garden.

This is an opaque, 2 coat cream finish flat black nail polish.

OPI Black Onyx swatch

OPI Black Onyx

Black Onyx is an OPI best seller, like essie licorice, it’s a 2 coat creamy, opaque finish pure black nail polish with a slight sheen.

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark swatch

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark

Another OPI best seller, Lincoln Park After Dark is my favorite spooky season black. The 1st coat starts as a deep eggplant purple which builds to black in the 2nd coat, giving it a rich and enchanting depth. 

OPI My Gondola or Yours? swatch

OPI My Gondola or Yours? 

My Gondola or Yours? is shown in 3 coats and from the Venice Collection. It's black with a subtle silver pearl shimmer; this silver pearl gives it a glamorous feel and a gorgeous sheen.

All in all, black nails can add a touch of sophistication to any look. They’re also a great ally for nail art. These are my personal favorite black nail colors of all the polishes I’ve tried so far.

Do you have any black nail colors in your collection? Which black nail polishes are your go-tos?

Other Articles You May Enjoy:

As an Ulta Affiliate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As a Beyond Polish Brand Ambassador, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Use coupon code LOTSOFLACQUER for 10% OFF at Beyond Polish.

Lots of Lacquer

Our purpose is to celebrate the joy of fresh nails. Our goal is to help you have fun and awesome nails at the same time.

Previous
Previous

Lavender Nails

Next
Next

Cherry Red Nails