5 Tips To Find Your Perfect Nail Color
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The perfect nail color is within your grasp.
Because there are so many nail colors out there in the world, with so many undertones and hues, there are perfect nail colors for literally anyone and any occasion.
Finding your perfect nail color can take some time, but it’s a fun quest that you’ll enjoy and find worth it in the end.
When you go on the journey for your perfect nail shade, you’ll need to keep in mind a few things.
As you’ll learn below, you can have more than one perfect nail color.
I recommend starting with finding your perfect neutral shade first; which may be different in summer and fall, compared to winter and spring.
After you’ve found your perfect neutral nail color, next you’ll want to find your perfect red nail color.
Reds are one of the most classic nail colors to have in your collection and they are one color that looks flattering on everyone, once you get the undertone right.
Once you’ve found your perfect neutral and your perfect red, then the world is your oyster…. to an extent.
To ensure your nail color increases your beauty rather than detracts from it, you’ll want to keep your manicures matched to your skin tone (most important), your wardrobe, the season and the occasion.
Below are 5 tips to help you find your perfect nail color:
1 - Start with your skin tone - cool, warm or neutral
Finding the perfect nail color starts with your skin tone.
If your skin tone is cool, you’ll have more rosy, pink or blue undertones. If your skin tone is warm, you’ll have more yellow, golden or olive undertones.
If your skin tone is neutral, you’ll have a balance of rosy and golden undertones.
To identify your skin tone, hold a stark white piece of paper up to your hand. Notice a yellowish or green hue? Your skin tone is warm. Notice more blue or pink tones? Your skin tone is cool.
Generally speaking, cooler skin tones look great in blues, mint greens, powder pinks, berries, blue-toned lavenders and taupes. Warmer skin tones look great in oranges, peaches, coral pinks, yellows, olive greens and chestnut browns.
Of course, there are exceptions to any rule and there are colors that work with either side.
Neutral skin tones can wear just about any color!
If you think you’re neutral, you could walk the line on skin tones. For example, you could be neutral that leans warm or neutral that leans pink.
When you lean into the warm or cool, you will be more satisfied with your manicure.
Ideally, you want to match the undertones of your skin to the undertones in the nail color.
If you’re stuck on your skin tone, use your foundation and concealer color as a guide - it really helps nail down your exact skin tone.
Choose the right nail color for your outfit.
If you wear a lot of neutrals and basics, decide if you’d like to compliment your outfits with a neutral or if you want a pop of color to contrast your wardrobe.
A contrasting color will be more eye-catching, whereas a complimentary color will blend in better, and perhaps work with multiple outfits.
Do you want your nails to blend in or contrast your wardrobe?
3 - Pick a perfect color for each season
Consider the seasons. Your perfect nail shade may vary depending on the time of year. For instance, you can have a go-to summer red and a go-to winter red.
For spring and summer, consider a brighter, lighter, more vibrant nail color.
For fall and winter, choose a deeper, darker shade.
If you’re cool toned, maybe it’s a pastel pink or light blue in the spring and berry in the fall. If you’re warm toned, maybe it’s a coral in the spring and a brick red or orange in the fall.
4 - Pair it to the occasion
To shimmer or not to shimmer?
For festive occasions, you may choose a more metallic or shimmery shade that matches your skin tone and compliments your wardrobe.
For professional occasions, you may go with a nude or pinkish-peachish neutral that looks like your nails but better.
4 - Does it bring you joy?
Your perfect nail color should bring you joy when you wear it. You should feel better wearing it - it should make you feel good. If it makes you feel happy, then it deserves to be considered the perfect one for you.
Also, feel free to break the skin tone “rules” above if you simply love a particular color.
For example, if you have warm toned skin and enjoy a baby blue nail once in a while, wear it! Conversely, you have cool toned skin and really like coral, you’re allowed to wear that.
5 - Formula type
Your perfect nail color most likely comes in an ideal formula type that meets your needs. There are fast drying and long-wearing formulas to choose from. There’s also nail polish, gel polish, polygel and dip powder.
What does your ideal nail formula look like? How does it perform? How do you apply it?
It may take some experimentation, but eventually you’ll find at least one nail color that feels perfect to you. Once you find a nail color that works for you, shop similar shades.
Your skin tone and color preferences are unlikely to change. As you replenish your nail colors, branch out into slightly different variations of your favorite nail colors.
Over time, you’ll create a nail color palette that perfectly matches you. How nice does that sound?
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