Many stylists suggest you should always wear colors that match your skin tone. Well, that’s true, especially if you have a deeper complexion. But when it comes to nail colors for dark skin, there’s good news: you can wear any shade you want so long as it makes you feel comfortable, stylish, and happy. While any hue works, some colors are more flattering on deeper complexions.
And that’s because people with darker skin tones often look great in various colors. From vibrant shades to earthy and jewel tones, dark complexions have an array of options to choose from. Or as Rachel James, founder of the nail polish brand Pear Nova, puts it:
“Dark skin possesses a beautiful depth and richness that enhances the appearance of all nail polish shades…bold and vibrant colors tend to pop and create a beautiful contrast and add a touch of drama.”
So if you’re searching for colors that will pop out your melanin, ahead, you’ll find stunning nail colors to complement and enhance your dark skin.
9 Lovely Nail Colors for Dark Skin Tones
Dark-skinned fashion girls often pull off different colors effortlessly. But working with certain color palettes helps you nail —no pun intended— the whole aesthetic. So start with these:
Jewel Tones
These are hues that simulate precious stones such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amethyst, etc. Colors in this category include amethyst, emerald green, ruby, royal blue, turquoise, deep purples, etc. These colors are excellent at flattering deep skin tones.
Earthy Tones
These are colors similar to plants, landscapes, and other aspects of nature. They include brown, warm orange, forest green, and deep red, etc. These hues complement darker skin tones.
Pastels
Also known as tints, these are pale tones of colors achieved by mixing a significant amount of white into the original shade. For example, pastel pink would be a paler hue of pink. They help you look colorful in a conservative way.
Neon Nail Colors for Dark Skin
Neon colors are bright forms of primary and secondary colors such as red, yellow, blue, green, orange, and purple. These colors absorb and reflect more light than regular colors, and they’re perfect for when you want to enhance your neutral-colored dresses.
Neutral Nail Colors for Dark Skin
These are muted hues that seem to lack color but have underlying hues that change depending on the lighting. Examples include black, white, beige, grey, brown, taupe, gray, and cream. Go for these colors when you want your nails to either blend in or pop out in a minimalist way.
Nude Nails
Neutral or nude nails bear semblance to your real nails. But in essence, they’re a pale shade of the mixture of brown and white.
Clear Nails for Dark Skin
You can achieve this by using clear nail polish on your fingernails or attaching clear fake nails. These nails are neutral. They allow your real nail color to shine.
Metallic Colors
Think manicures in gold, silver, platinum, bronze, etc. These colors come with a shine that gives your nails the illusion of polished metals.
Bold Colors
Adorn your nails with other bright or bold hues such as fuschia pink, purple, green, blue, yellow, red, etc. These vibrant shades pop you out and give your outfits a unique feel.
Other Nail Colors for Dark Skin Tones
Before picking any of these colors, consider your personal style or preferences. They play a huge role in determining what colors you should settle after when experimenting. But if you still aren’t sure where to start, here are more manicure ideas to flatter your dark skin. They’ll surely inspire your next visit to the nail tech:
