nail colors on black skin

zarco52218 April 27, 2023 Comment

I am a girl that loves beauty, and getting my nails done at a salon is always an extra special treat, especially during the summer months — mainly because I love dark nail colors, and I am usually shamed for being the lone girl in the nail salon asking for black in July. But, hey, to each their own, right?

I like to save my mani money for the fall and winter, and let my natural nails do their thing in the summer since I’ve given up on painting my nails at home.Bright summer colors look amazing on dark skin, but there is nothing like rich blues, deep greens, and a flesh-tone nude on my brown skin. Making the right polish choice can be tough, especially with all of the new launches that pop up each season, but I’m going to share some of my favorites with you all in hopes you fall in love with a new shade you’d never thought about trying.

There was a time when the term "nude" was not inclusive of dark skin, but thanks to black women creating space for women in the fashion and beauty industries, we have nude undergarments, lip colors, shoes, and nail polish that truly match our range of skin tones. Pear Nova’s creamy oak 5-free lacquer is a gorgeous match for brown skin.

Best Nail Colors For Dark Skin That Look Stunning

When I saw this polish, I gasped. It was so pretty, and I knew this would look good on a range of dark skin tones. Rust Worthy gives you leaf-falling fall vibes with a splash of glam.

Dark greens are going to be a major player this fall, and Oribe's deep teal is so full and dark that depending on the lighting it could get mistaken for black — which I love.

A classic red polish is always a good idea no matter the season, but Smith & Cult created a nail color that reminds me of a candied apple sprinkled with 14-karat gold. Match this shade with gold stackable rings or a statement accessory, and you probably won’t stop looking at your candied nails.

Prettiest Spring Nail Colors For 2023

The name of this midnight blue 10-free polish says it all. I can envision many beauty editors wearing this chic color as they sit front row at fashion week.

Greens are big this season, but OPI's "Aber-Green" is not jewel-toned like Oribe's polish — the moss-green hue will complement dark skin just as well.

White nail polish is a summer staple, and I think it is a color you can take into fall. But, if you're looking for a lighter hue with more color, a soft grey is an option.

Great Spring Nail Colors For Brown Skin

Gold is one of my favorite colors to wear as an accessory because it brings out the gold undertones in my brown skin, and this champagne-inspired polish from Ella + Mila is no different. Though this is rose gold, you get the same color pop with a spin on a classic.

Just because we're moving into a time of cooler temperatures and a darker wardrobe doesn't mean pink is off-limits. I am of the mindset that you do you, so if you want to keep rocking that neon pink, go for it. If you want an option that is a deeper hue without losing the color pop, give this magenta metallic color a try and match it with a bright pink lip.

Have you ever seen a wine-hued lipstick on deep brown skin? If you have, you know it's a showstopper. I'd imagine this deep-wine colored polish would have the same effect on a fresh manicure.

Nail Polish Colors For Dark Skin On Stylevore

I couldn't make this list without a shade of true black polish. If you’ve mastered your at-home mani, splurging on a lux polish from the iconic house of red bottom shoes isn't a bad treat-yo'-self gift for all the coin you’re saving not visiting the salon every couple of weeks.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for exclusive content straight to your inbox—including the Trader Joe's articles you don't want to miss!Maya Allen is a beauty editor with over five years of experience covering hair, makeup, skin, and nails. She is currently the beauty director for InStyle Magazine.

Eden Stuart is an editor at . She covers all beauty and wellness topics, with a special emphasis on makeup, skincare, and haircare.

Black Girl Nail Designs You Need In Your Life

Evelyn Lim is a nail expert with more than 18 years of experience. She currently serves as the chief educator of Paintbox, a top nail studio in NYC.

Practically every day, another new nail shade launches. And while this wasn’t always the case, these days, many of those shades are specifically formulated with dark skin tones in mind. What’s the best nail color for dark skin tones? Well, pretty much all the hues of the rainbow—there isn’t a single shade that doesn’t work for melanin-rich skin. Vibrant, high-impact colors pop against your pigment, while deep, sultry shades are practically created for those with deeper skin tones. And as long as the formula is quality, pastels will provide a beautiful contrast. (And who wants to mess with a low-quality polish anyway?) Keep scrolling for 50 fun nail colors that look amazing on dark skin tones.

Go bold or go home with a vibrant red shade. A slight squiggle in the middle will add dimension and intrigue. Use precisely applied tape to achieve this negative space style.

Of Our Favorite Nail Polish Colors For Dark Skin Tones

Choose a bright blue like this vibrant aqua hue. If you're feeling spicy, recreate the above by adding a metallic adornment in the center for an edgy finish.

Stand out this season and choose a pastel-colored hue, like baby blue or soft pink, that will look gorgeous against your skin.

This modern style shows how playing with lines seamlessly meshes opposite colors together in the best way. Chocolate brown will always look like it was made for dark skin—adding a splash of ocean blue takes this shade up a notch.

The 18 Best Nail Colors For Dark Skin Tones

A light peach shade gives nails a nice wash of muted color. Add as many accents as you like, but seriously, the peachy tone here looks fantastic.

A chic rainbow never hurt anyone. Go simple by painting a different vibrant color on each nail, or get creative with a fun design.

Berry shades will instantly brighten up the look of your nails, which are made especially sweet when mini polka dots are involved.

Best Nail Polish Colors For Dark Skin On Stylevore

Neon yellow makes a chic statement, as shown in this classic mani. The bright hue is almost out of this world and garners a second glance.

Not sure which neutral color you want to wear on your nails? Try them all. A range of sandy shades looks creative and classic all at the same time.

A neutral caramel shade is ideal for a minimalist and looks especially great against matching accessories. If you want something that leans on the professional side, go for a simple, glossy finish.

Mi Fashion's Shine Nail Polish 3pc Pack

Dive into warm weather with citrus-inspired nails that look especially stunning on deep skin tones. Using the entire spectrum of orange and yellow with cool designs is the way to go.

Get festive with metallic shades that run the gamut. As proven with the foil design here, these are sure to shine on your skin.

Looking for nails that will make the ultimate statement this season? This fiery color blends highlighter nostalgia with fresh, fruity vibes for a nail look that really pops against dark skin tones.

Nail Colors For Dark Skin: 21 Colors That Will Stand Out

A simple burgundy shade is a classic for colder weather and evening affairs, but we say you should embrace how it pops against a darker skin tone any time you want. Plus, the half-moon design adds a modern touch.

Try out any pastel hue for an extra sweet look, or combine all your favorites for a multi-colored mani that's perfectly suited for spring. We love the use of wavy lines and white polish here to create an artsy look.

A chrome hue like this one has flecks of gold and silver woven throughout the polish for a standout manicure that matches whatever jewelry you're wearing that day.

Kbshimmer Caught On Tape Cream Nail Polish

Sure, this design doesn't paint your whole nail in an earthy wash of color, but as you can see, the deep green, mustard, and earth-toned accents look seriously divine against partially bare nails.

Sheer pink is universally gorgeous, but we especially love how this translucent blush iteration, complete with a raw stripe of metallic pink across the middle, looks against a deep skin tone.

It's classic for a reason. This shade exudes elegance and makes a statement every time, and we love how the white stripe makes cherry red pop even more against partially bare nails and a rich skin tone.

Best Nail Colors For Dark Skin

Sometimes you need your nail polish to match your all-black outfit, and a glossy finish of the classic shade looks stunning against a deep skin tone. Find your favorite formula and turn to it whenever you need an easy yet put-together mani.

We showcased a punchy peach earlier, but this design takes it to the next level by mixing a white base with black standout lines, plus additional peach and gold detailing. The whimsical brushstrokes look like a painter's palette in nail art form.

Call it a green thumb, but we're smitten with this succulent-inspired shade. It works for almost any season.