Author:
Judy Howell
Date Of Creation:
28 July 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
- To step
- Method 1 of 3: Choose a nail polish color based on your skin color
- Method 2 of 3: Choosing a nail polish color for a particular occasion
- Method 3 of 3: Choose nail polish based on your personality
It can be a lot of fun to choose a nail polish color. However, with so many different colors and styles, it is also easy to be overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are ways to refine your search. Factors such as the season, your skin tone and your personality can help you choose the perfect nail polish for any occasion.
To step
Method 1 of 3: Choose a nail polish color based on your skin color
Go for nude shades if you have fair or medium skin. Nude shades work best on fair or medium skin. Light skin tones go well with pinkish nude tones. Do not use beige if you have very fair skin; this can create a yellowish undertone. If you have medium-toned skin, you can choose either a beige-nude or a pinkish-nude shade. These will both go very well with your skin tone. - Dark skin tones look a little less good with nude tones, but if you want a less noticeable light color, go for pastels.
Choose a pink shade for any skin tone. If you like pink you will be happy to know that it suits every skin tone. Light skin tones go well with all shades of pink, from soft baby pink to bright fuchsia. Peach rosy shades go well with medium skin tones. Dark skin tones go well with super bright rosy tones. 
Go for blue with every skin color. Blue is a universal color that goes well with just about any skin tone. If you have a fair skin tone, subtle colors like navy blue look really nice. Medium-toned skin looks good with pastel or sky blue. Bright colors like cobalt blue go well with dark skin tones. 
Experiment with purple. Purple looks good on just about any skin tone, but different shades will suit different skin tones better. If you have fair skin, go for lavender shades. For medium-toned skin, pastel purple with gray undertones is a good choice. With dark skin tones, pastels and bright purple colors both look very nice. - Dark purple nail polishes with berry undertones also go very well with dark skin tones.
Choose the best shade of red for your skin. If you have fair skin, go for a bright, classic shade of red, and don't use translucent shades. Orange-red is best for medium-toned skin. With a dark skin tone, go for a deep, wine-red color. - If you have a fair skin tone, hold the bottle of red nail polish up to the light when you are shopping. If the nail polish is translucent, it is too transparent for your skin.
Method 2 of 3: Choosing a nail polish color for a particular occasion
Opt for neutral colors for formal occasions. Neutral colors generally go with everything, so they are a safe option to wear to work or a job interview. For an everyday, professional look, you can opt for gray, white, beige and light peach nail polishes. - For example, wear a beige colored nail polish to a job interview.
Go for festive themed colors. You can wear colors associated with a specific holiday for a fun, festive look. For example, wear red glitter nail polish for Christmas, or bright orange nail polish for Halloween or King's Day. - Festive colors can work especially well if you are going to attend a party in honor of a particular holiday.
Choose a color based on the season. Some colors work better or worse depending on the time of the year. It can be fun to vary your nail polish color choice with the seasons. - During the fall days, go for colors such as gray, dark blue and purple, silver, Christmas hues and red-orange.
- During the spring, try out green, white, bright pink, yellow, red, and bright blue colors.
- For wintertime, try out dark purple, light pink, gray, and silver colors.
- For summer time, go for colors like light pink, green, bright red and coral, and light nude tones.
Add glitter for a fun occasion. If you're going out for a night, add some playfulness to your look. Wear nail polish with a shimmery color or apply a glittery top coat on top of a dark base color. A little sparkle and glitter can create a fun, playful look. - For example, paint your nails black and then let them dry. Once they are dry, add some shimmery gold nail polish on top of the black to put together a fun and shimmery look.
Method 3 of 3: Choose nail polish based on your personality
Use metallic colors to convey a wild personality. You may see yourself as someone who likes to party. Metallic colors, such as metallic black, blue and silver create a real party look. This can be a great option to show off your fun personality. 
Go for a bold look with black nail polish. If you want to convey a bold punk rock vibe, black nail polish can be perfect. When paired with things like leather, hoodies, and band shirts, black nail polish can evoke your rebellious side. 
Choose bright colors for an energetic look. Lots of bright colors can create an energetic look. Choose orange, green and yellow tones to radiate energy. Bright pinks can also work for a cheerful look. - If you want something that is both bold and energetic, go for a bright orange or green. These colors are not that commonplace, and can add a touch of whimsy to your look.
- If you want something really cheerful, you can even opt for white nail polish.
Choose subdued or subtle colors for a softer look. If you want to give off a look of calm, opt for softer, more subtle nail polish colors. Colors such as light purple and pink give a feminine, soft look. You can also try pastel blues. 
Show sophistication with a darker nail polish. If you want to look sophisticated, go for a dark nail polish with fine shades. A dark purple or wine red nail polish can convey an elegant personality. - Dark nail polishes go very well with formal outfits such as evening dresses.
Go for bright red to look bold and confident. Traditionally, red is seen as the color of self-confidence. If you want a really bold look, go for a bright red nail polish. This can be perfect for an occasion where you want to feel extra confident, such as a first date. - For example, try a color like "candy-apple" red, or red-orange.
