Beauty Nails 55 Nail Colors That Are Especially Gorgeous on Dark Skin By Kara Jillian Brown Kara Jillian Brown Kara Jillian Brown is the Beauty Editor of InStyle. She began her career at Well+Good, where she spent five years evolving from Editorial Intern, to News Writer, to Beauty Writer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English rhetoric from Binghamton University and a master’s degree in health and science journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. She is also a certified fitness instructor and teaches barre in Brooklyn. InStyle's editorial guidelines Published on November 13, 2023 @ 09:32PM Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Getty Images There are all sorts of theories about what nail colors you should or shouldn't wear based on your skin tone. This is especially true for those of us with deeper complexions. But I'm here to tell you that you can wear whatever hue you want as long as it makes you happy. And while we can rock any shade, there are some colors that look especially stunning on deeper complexions. "Dark skin possesses a beautiful depth and richness that enhances the appearance of all nail polish shades," says Rachel James, founder of polish brand Pear Nova. "Bold and vibrant colors tend to pop and create a beautiful contrast and add a touch of drama." 20 Dark Fall Nail Colors for a Cozy-Chic Manicure According to celebrity manicurist Gina Edwards, the only shades you may want to steer clear of are those that look ashy. "Some shades can read gray and don't complement the skin tone," says Edwards. If you're in the market for colors that will pop against your melanin, you're in the right place. Ahead, we've got 55 nail colors that are gorgeous on dark skin. 01 of 55 Pear Nova Lemon Drop Logic Pear Nova “There’s just something about a bright yellow on dark skin that demands everyone’s attention,” says James. Buy Now $14 02 of 55 Essie Tangerine Tease Essie “Bright orange is electric against darker skin tones,” says Edwards. Buy Now $10 03 of 55 OPI Funny Bunny OPI "Funny Bunny by OPI is the nice creamy white that really pops on darker skin tones,” says Lori Banks, a nail artist in Los Angeles. Buy Now $12 04 of 55 ORLY Roam With Me ORLY “Roam With Me is the most perfect taupe shade that will go with any outfit,” says Mazz Hanna, manicurist and founder of Nailing Hollywood. “It has a pink undertone that will really make your natural nails pop.” Buy Now $11 05 of 55 OPI Put on Something Ice OPI “Pink with soft glitter metallic is playful and a whimsical day-to-evening color,” says Edwards. Buy Now $12 06 of 55 Pear Nova Kissu Miss You Pear Nova "This is a vibrant, fiery red that's incredibly flattering on dark skin tones,” says James. “It's a timeless shade that screams sophistication." Buy Now $14 07 of 55 Dazzle Dry CEO Dazzle Dry "This is the perfect ready-to-wear winter red polish," says Hanna. "If you're not familiar with Dazzle Dry, it's the absolute best for a quick at-home manicure because it dries completely within five minutes. It also lasts longer than regular polish. I typically get seven to 14 days of wear depending on how rough I am on my nails." Buy Now $22 08 of 55 OPI Blame the Mistletoe OPI “This color is perfect for a party nail, especially with the holidays approaching,” says Edwards. Buy Now $15 09 of 55 ILNP Sea Glass ILNP “Blue shimmer gives way to Studio 54 vibes,” says Edwards. The glitter in this polish is silvery and super reflective. Buy Now $10 10 of 55 Dior Mirror Dior “This beautiful reflective silver is the closest thing you’ll get to chrome polish straight out of the bottle,” says Hanna. “It looks beautiful and dramatic on deep skin tones.” Buy Now $30 11 of 55 Pear Nova Cleo F*ckin Patra Pear Nova “This is a bronze metallic shade that complements dark skin beautifully,” says James. “Its radiant shimmer adds an instant touch of glamour, making it perfect for special occasions and everyday wear.” Buy Now $14 12 of 55 ORLY Monroe’s Red ORLY “Monroe’s Red is a timeless and versatile shade that works well for various occasions,” says Hanna. “This is the perfect shade to put the ‘Red Nail Theory’ to the test.” Buy Now $11 How "Red Nail Theory" Can Help Unlock Your Inner Confidence 13 of 55 Habit Blue Jean Baby Habit Cosmetics This cornflower blue is super gorgeous. It has depth without being super dark, allowing the shade to really pop. Buy Now $12 14 of 55 Olive & June CV Olive & June “When it comes to a red, I really like CV by Olive & June,” says Banks. It's a true bright red that doesn't read super orange or blue. Buy Now $9 15 of 55 Un/Dn Laqr Melt Down @lolo.nailedit Coppery shades can function like a neutral when you have a deeper skin tone. This one has pretty golden undertones and adds a subtle pop to the nails. Buy Now $18 16 of 55 ORLY Cake Pop ORLY “For whites, I tend to go for more of a not-so-white white, and I think Cake Pop by ORLY is the perfect off-white and cream mixed together,” says Banks. Buy Now $11 17 of 55 Hermès Brun Bistre @lolo.nailedit This deep brown has a super neutral base. It truly makes each nail look like a rich espresso bean. Buy Now $55 18 of 55 The Ballet in Low Key The Ballet Turn your nails into creamsicles with this orange shade from The Ballet. It's perfect if you want a light shade without veering into pastel territory. Buy Now $22 19 of 55 Pear Nova Michelle Our Mama Pear Nova Michelle Our Mama is a gorgeous milk-chocolatey shade of brown that works beautifully as a nude on darker skin tones. Note that it's a gel polish requiring a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats. Buy Now $21 20 of 55 Aprés Toadally Awesome Aprés This funky green shade from Aprés has become a favorite of mine. It gives serious '70s vibes. Note that it's a gel polish requiring UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats. Buy Now $15 The 6 Best At-Home Gel Manicure Kits for Long-Lasting Polish, Tested & Reviewed 21 of 55 Holo Taco Bat B*tch @lolo.nailedit Go dark with this pewter shade from Holo Taco. It's got tiny hints of silver shimmer that up the wattage on the metallic finish. Buy on Holotaco.com $14 22 of 55 ORLY Country Club Khaki ORLY “For nude [polish shades], I like Country Club Khaki by ORLY,” says Banks. Buy Now $11 23 of 55 Hermès Orange Poppy @lolo.nailedit Orangey reds are so pretty on deeper skin tones. The red in this shade also keeps the polish from being too autumnal so you can wear it year-round. Buy Now $55 24 of 55 Breukelen Yerrr Breukelen Yerrr from Breukelen (pronounced Brooklyn) is a striking cobalt blue. Even without a hint of sparkle, the shade is a bold statement. Buy Now $13 25 of 55 Aprés No This Is Patrick Aprés There's just something about coral that looks fabulous on deeper skin tones. That's why I love this pinky-coral hue from Aprés, which is inspired by our favorite starfish. Note that it's a gel polish requiring a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats. Buy Now $15 26 of 55 OPI Verde Nice to Meet You @lolo.nailedit This minty hue is a few shades darker than the hue typically is, allowing it to read well on a deeper complexion. Buy Now $12 27 of 55 Static Nails Martini Goggles @lolo.nailedit You can never go wrong with bubblegum pink. It's a pretty and playful without being too loud. Buy Now $16 28 of 55 Pear Nova One Piece Wonder Pear Nova Just shy of neon, this green shade is bright, fun, and especially striking against dark skin. Buy Now $14 29 of 55 Deborah Lippmann Her December Deborah Lippmann For a mauve-y shade that doesn't read chalky, grab Her December, one of the shades in the Debora Lippmann limited-edition fall nail polish set, Cozy. Buy Now $39 30 of 55 Aprés Deja Brew Aprés So dark it's nearly black, this brown is unapologetically moody. Note that it's a gel polish requiring a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats. Buy Now $15 31 of 55 Dazzle Dry Prima Ballerina Dazzle Dry “This milky, delicate pink makes a beautiful French base,” says Hanna. “It’s sheer, yet buildable so you can customize the opacity and brightness depending on your preferences.” Buy Now $22 32 of 55 Cirque Colors Lyra @melanated.mani This shimmery brown is another metallic shade that reads like a neutral on darker complexions. It's an incredibly reflective polish. Buy Now $15 33 of 55 Mooncat Flight of the Monarchs @melanated.mani This iridescent orange shade has hints of blue, purple, and yellow that make it a super dynamic polish. And it's absolutely gorgeous on darker skin. Buy Now $15 34 of 55 Essie Expressie Outside the Lines @lolo.nailedit Wear this bright yellow-orange shade, and it will inject joy into your life every time you peer down at your hand. Buy Now $10 35 of 55 Holo Taco The Floor is Guava @lolo.nailedit This red shade is a bit muted, allowing you to enjoy the bold hue more subtly. Buy Now $12 36 of 55 Cirque Colors Introverde @lolo.nailedit Depending on the way the light hits, this green shade reflects pink and golden hues. Buy Now $17 37 of 55 Dazzle Dry Pumped Up Purple Dazzle Dry “Pumped up Purple is a beautiful dark blackberry purple that is perfect for the winter months,” says Hanna. Buy Now $22 38 of 55 Candy Paints Eastside Unicorn Candy Paints Give your nails a subtle wash of shimmer with this sheer iridescent shade from Candy Paints. The more layers you add, the more opaque the finish. Buy Now $22 35 Pretty Natural Nail Designs 39 of 55 Law Writings in the Sand Law Beauty This sandy shade is a warm beige with pretty yellow undertones. It's a great nude shade for deeper skin tones. Buy Now $4 40 of 55 Mooncat Everybody Scream @melanated.mani "Metallics and bright purples pop extremely well on deeper skin due to the vast difference between the skin tone and color, which make the combo dynamic," says Edwards. Buy Now $14 41 of 55 The Ballet Not Interested Sir The Ballet This orange shade looks so pretty on deeper skin. "The melanin in darker skin is the perfect canvas for bright, bold shades as they provide more contrast, which helps these colors 'pop' while still harmonizing with the rich shades of darker skin," says Banks. Buy Now $22 42 of 55 Cirque Colors Brightside @melanated.mani Brightside is a stunning coral-orange jelly polish with big pink flecks of glitter. Buy Now $17 43 of 55 Death Valley Nails New York Tap Water @melanated.mani Bright and pretty, this blue shade is great if you want a polish that's expressive without being too distracting. Buy Now $14 44 of 55 Holo Taco Feeling Fiendish @melanated.mani Thanks to its pink undertones, this purple polish leans warmer than purples usually do. Buy Now $12 45 of 55 Pear Nova Hustle + Glow Pear Nova This rose gold shade really shines. "Metallic and shimmering shades, like golds and bronzes, can accentuate the natural radiance of dark skin," says James. Buy Now $14 46 of 55 Mooncat Outlaw County @melanated.mani If you want a silver shade that's not overly bright, Outlaw County is perfect. It's got a deeper base that gives the color a bit of depth. Buy Now $15 47 of 55 Holo Taco Cereal Killer @lolo.nailedit Cereal Killer is a gorgeous lilac that's especially striking against deeper skin tones. The contrast is stunning. Buy Now $12 48 of 55 People of Color Topaz People of Color For a warm shimmery shade that isn't a true metallic, opt for this orange shimmer. Buy Now $12 49 of 55 Holo Taco Not Pressed @melanated.mani This serene shade of green is gorgeous. It has yellow undertones to keep it bright but retains enough depth to keep the shade grounded. Buy Now $12 50 of 55 The Ballet Gemini Eyes The Ballet Gemini Eyes is a deep teal shade that's a total standout, and on deeper complexions especially. Buy Now $22 51 of 55 Cirque Colors Klepto @melanated.mani With its subtle pink undertones, Klepto is a really pretty and lively shade of purple. Buy Now $13 52 of 55 ORLY Gel FX Act of Folly ORLY Gel FX I love how this mustard reads against deep brown skin — rich and golden. Note that this gel polish requires a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats. Buy Now $20 53 of 55 Nash + Pino Maxine Nash + Pino Go bold with this fuchsia polish from Nash + Pino. The hints of blue in the color will allow it to really stand out against deeper skin. Buy Now $16 54 of 55 Holo Taco Modest Moss @melanated.mani This muted green is surprisingly versatile and reminiscent of an old-school classroom chalkboard. Buy Now $12 55 of 55 Aprés Tiffany’s Sister Aprés This robin egg blue —inspired by the iconic Tiffany shade — is gorgeous against deeper skin. Note that this is a gel polish and requires a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats. Buy Now $15