Finding the Best Nail Polish For Your Skin Tone
With the clean beauty movement on full-force, more nail polish brands than ever are offering nontoxic options. We’ve rounded up the best of the bunch for your next mani.
A favorite of Gerstein, this Leaping Bunny-certified polish delivers a gel-like shine that lasts for days. It also contains nourishing ingredients that help strengthen nails.
What to Look For
Whether you’re going with a classic white manicure or you want to go with a more vibrant shade, it’s important to find the best nail polish for your skin tone. That way, the hue lasts as long as possible. Fortunately, there are many products available in a variety of shades that promise to do the trick.
However, picking the right color can be tricky. If you don’t have a good understanding of how to choose a nail color for your skin tone, you might end up with nails that look blotchy or patchy. Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening. We spoke to a few manicurists who shared their advice for choosing the perfect polish color to match your complexion.
The first step is finding a polish with the right base coat. Base coats help your polish last longer by preventing it from chipping and peeling. They also provide a smooth canvas for the color to adhere to. When selecting a base coat, look for one that provides a high level of shine and offers an easy-to-use brush.
Once you’ve found the right product, it’s time to start testing the polish. To do this, you’ll need to apply a few coats and allow the polish to dry thoroughly in between each application. You’ll also want to pay attention to how much shine the nail polish has and how long it takes for the color to fade.
Finally, you’ll want to pay close attention to the ingredients in the nail polish. While many brands now offer nontoxic nail polishes, there are still some chemicals that you’ll want to avoid, like formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate. Look for a nail polish that’s free of these additives, as well as camphor, ethyl tosylamide, methyl iodide, and xylene.
Depending on your personal preferences and budget, you can pick from a variety of brands that have excellent customer reviews. For example, Essie and OPI have plenty of great options that look professional, while Revlon’s Gel Envy nail polish looks like a salon-quality product. You can even go with a budget option from Sally Hansen, which has hundreds of positive reviews from users.
Choosing the Right Color
There are so many nail polish colors to choose from that it can feel overwhelming. If you want your nails to look good, pick the right shade that complements your skin tone and suits the occasion. For instance, if you’re heading out for a date night, opt for a bold shade that will make your hands stand out, or try a metallic polish to give your nails a touch of glamor.
On the other hand, if you’re going to work or need to look presentable, neutral shades are usually better. In fact, you can even use neutrals as a base coat for fun nail art designs.
When selecting a nail polish color, you also need to consider the season. Light nude tones are great for spring and summer while darker hues like grey work well during fall and winter. If you have a fair complexion, you can also pair your nail color with bright pastels or even neon shades. However, if you have a medium or dark complexion, opt for smoky shades or deep reds with cool undertones.
A lot of people have a hard time knowing what shades will flatter their skin tone, but there are some simple rules that can help you. For example, if you have a pale complexion, avoid anything too dark because it will only make your nails look washed out. Conversely, if you have a dark complexion, a bold shade will look more natural.
Another way to find the best nail polish color is to test it out on your wrist. Look at the veins in your wrist and see if they appear blue or purple, which means you have cool undertones. This type of complexion looks best with pastels, blue-based reds, and jewel tones.
In addition to the factors mentioned above, you should also take into consideration what you’re doing for the day when choosing your nail polish color. If you’re hanging out with friends, be more creative and try different colors. But if you’re going to an important event or meeting, stick with neutral shades.
Choosing the Right Base Coat
A quality base coat can extend the life of your manicure and help nail polish stay put. It creates a protective barrier between the natural nail and the nail polish, preventing staining and increasing wear time. It also helps the polish adhere to the nails and keeps it from chipping.
However, not all base coats are the same, so it’s important to choose one that works for your particular needs. If your nails are brittle and dry, opt for a base coat that contains nourishing ingredients that will moisturize and strengthen your nails. If you have ridges or indentations on your nails, try a base coat that has ridge-filling properties to smooth them out and provide a dense layer for polish to adhere to.
The right base coat can make your manicure last longer and look more polished. So it’s worth the extra investment to pick a high-performing formula. The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab tested a handful of top-rated base coats and found the following options that provide the best combination of durability, strength and longevity:
This vegan and cruelty free formula from Australian naturopath Hannah Jones is beloved by clean beauty fans for its expressive colors and commitment to non-toxic, water permeable, breathable products. It’s formulated without harsh hardeners and uses a blend of natural ingredients like biotin, garlic bulb extract, shea butter, aloe vera and tea tree oil to nourish and strengthen the nails, both on the spot and over time.
Unlike most base coats, this formula has the added benefit of a glossy finish that doubles as a sheer nail polish. The thin formula delivers a perfect amount of coverage and is highly rated by reviewers on Amazon, with close to 2,000 five-star reviews. It’s also a fan favorite among members of Laqueristas, a community of nail polish lovers on Reddit, who rave about its durability and the fact that you can often get away with applying only one coat of the formula.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, this bestseller from L.A. Colors is a reliable choice. It offers the same benefits as more expensive options, including protecting the nails from stains and boosting shine. It’s also available in a plethora of bright and pastel shades, so you can find the perfect hue to match your manicure.
Choosing the Right Top Coat
A high-quality top coat is the best way to seal in your manicure and make it last longer. It also protects your nails from chipping and fading. There are lots of options to choose from, but it’s important to know what you’re looking for. For example, you may want a quick-drying formula or a product that’s long-wearing and resists stains. And, if you’re concerned about nail discoloration or damage, consider a nontoxic option that’s free of potentially harmful chemicals.
There’s a top coat for every look, so it’s important to find one that works well with your particular color and nail care needs. More than anything, though, you should pick a product that’s easy to use. Some formulas require multiple coats to fully cover your nail, while others have a thicker consistency that makes them difficult to apply with a brush. You also want to think about whether you prefer a flat or rounded tip and the shape of the bottle, which can impact how comfortable it feels in your hand as you paint.
The expert-recommended top coats below will provide you with everything you need to get the manicure of your dreams, including a crystal-clear finish that’s long-lasting and chip-resistant. Plus, all of the products are cruelty-free and eco-friendly.
A favorite of celebrity manicurists Julie Kandalec and Rita Remark, this polish is super glossy and dries fast to prevent smudges. It’s also infused with hexanal, which protects nails against breakage and yellowing.
Another top choice of celebrity manicurist Kimmie Kyees, this polish provides the results of a gel manicure without the curing process or foil removal. It’s long-wearing, chip-resistant, and free of 21 common toxins.
This polish from ILNP, which stands for I Love Nail Polish, is loved by the Laqueristas (a group of nail-obsessed fans on Reddit) for its durability and opacity (you only need one coat). It’s also free of harmful chemicals and doesn’t require a base or top coat.
Another top choice of celebrity manicurists and our editor, this polish dries quickly with a shiny sheen that’s long-lasting. The formula is also enriched with vitamin E and evening primrose oil to help strengthen your nails.
