
Choosing a nail colour is a very personal decision, and while some women prefer deep shades, others prefer lighter hues. Skin tone, wardrobe, jewellery, and seasonal trends all play a role in the decision-making process. For Indian women, there are a variety of gel nail colours to choose from, ranging from classic shades like maroon and chocolate brown to more experimental colours like yellow. Pastel colours are also a great option, with shades like lavender, mint, peach, and baby blue being particularly popular. For a more natural look, colours like pearly white and peach are ideal, while bright shades of orange, red, pink, and yellow can make a bold statement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skin tone | Dark, Medium, Light |
| Skin undertones | Warm, Cool, Neutral |
| Season | Summer, Winter |
| Occasion | Formal, Informal |
| Wardrobe | Bright, Light, Dark, Pastel |
| Trends | Cat-eye, Chrome, Pastel, Jelly |
| Nail type | Long, Short |
| Design | 3D, French manicure, colour-blocked, Glitter |
| Colour | Red, Maroon, Brown, Purple, Yellow, Orange, Pink, White, Peach, Blue, Green, Silver, Black |
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What You'll Learn
- Skin tone: Deep shades complement dark skin, while pastels suit warmer or neutral undertones
- Occasion: Brighter colours are suited to some occasions, while darker shades are better for others
- Wardrobe: Match nail polish to your outfit or lipstick
- Trends: Keep up with seasonal trends, like pastel colours in summer and deeper shades in winter
- Personal preference: Choose colours you like, regardless of trends or skin tone

Skin tone: Deep shades complement dark skin, while pastels suit warmer or neutral undertones
When it comes to choosing a nail colour, it's important to consider your skin tone. While some women prefer deep shades, others prefer lighter hues. However, it's worth noting that all colours complement melanated skin. If you have dark skin, deep shades are a great option for a classic winter manicure, while pastels provide a defining contrast for warmer or neutral undertones.
For those with dark skin tones, vibrant colours and neon shades will always pop a little more. Neon yellow is a perfect choice for the warmer months, evoking a day at the beach. Other bright shades to consider include orange, red, pink, and yellow. If you're after a tanned look, opt for nail polish with glitter. For a more natural look, pearly white and peach colours are great options. Golden shades will also look fabulous on darker skin tones.
If you have warm or neutral undertones, pastels are an excellent choice. Soft shades of lavender, mint, peach, and baby blue are on-trend and give an airy, summery vibe. Mauve is another iteration of pink that works as a classic and sophisticated neutral. For a minimalist look, a neutral caramel shade is ideal, especially when paired with matching accessories. Grey is another perfect neutral option that will go with everything.
To determine whether you have warm, cool, or neutral undertones, look at the colour of your veins. If they're green to olive, you have warm undertones, which often look best with gold accessories. If your veins are blue-green, you have neutral undertones, which pair well with rose gold. If your veins lean towards blue-purple, you have cool undertones, which look great with silver jewellery. If you have cool undertones, shades like taupe and soft grey will complement your skin tone.
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Occasion: Brighter colours are suited to some occasions, while darker shades are better for others
When it comes to choosing a nail colour, the occasion is an important factor to consider. Brighter colours are often more suitable for celebratory events, while darker shades are typically chosen for more formal or elegant occasions.
Bright colours, such as vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, can be perfect for festive occasions like weddings, parties, or holidays. These colours can add a joyful and energetic touch to your overall look. Additionally, if you're looking for something more subtle yet cheerful, pastel hues like baby blue, soft pink, and lavender are excellent choices. These colours are particularly popular during the spring and summer seasons, providing a light and airy vibe to your manicure.
On the other hand, darker shades are often favoured for more formal or elegant occasions. Deep winter shades like burgundy, maroon, and plum are classic choices for colder weather and evening events. These colours offer a sophisticated and polished appearance. For an even more elegant option, chrome hues with gold or silver flecks are a perfect choice. They add a touch of glamour and can complement your jewellery, making them ideal for special occasions.
While there are no hard and fast rules, it's worth noting that seasonal trends and personal preferences also play a role in colour selection. Some individuals may prefer lighter shades during the summer months, while others might opt for deeper shades in winter. Ultimately, the choice of nail colour should align with your taste and the desired vibe for the occasion.
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Wardrobe: Match nail polish to your outfit or lipstick
When it comes to choosing a nail polish colour, the options are endless. You can opt for shades that complement your skin tone, or you can match your nail polish to your outfit, lipstick, or jewellery.
If you want to match your nail polish to a specific outfit, it's a good idea to bring the outfit with you when you go shopping for nail polish. That way, you can compare the colours and find the perfect match. You can also experiment with different colour combinations and find pairings that you like. For instance, if you're wearing dark blue, grey, white, or lighter shades of blue would work well. You don't have to match your nail polish colour exactly to your outfit; instead, choose colours that complement each other. It's also a good idea to lay out your outfit and compare it to the nail polish shade, as colours can look different on your unique skin tone.
Matching your nail polish to your lipstick is another popular option. For a cool winter look, try a moody purple lip and mani, or go for a classic festive combination of bright red lips and nails for the holidays. Red and pink nail polish shades are considered versatile classics, so you can wear them with anything.
While you can match your nail polish to your outfit or lipstick, you can also use your nail polish to make a statement. For instance, chrome nails are always popular, and metals and chrome add a unique finish to your manicure. Celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein notes that pastel colours are having a big moment and give an airy vibe. You can also experiment with nail art, such as 3D designs, soap nails, or the latest take on the milk nails craze, which uses lavender to create a clean-looking manicure.
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Trends: Keep up with seasonal trends, like pastel colours in summer and deeper shades in winter
As the seasons change, so do the trends in gel nail colours. Here are some tips to keep your nails looking fashionable all year round:
Summer
Softer and pastel shades are typically more popular during the summer months. Pastel colours such as baby blue, soft pink, mint green, and peach are perfect for a light and airy vibe. Lavender is also a great choice for a clean-looking manicure. These colours are flattering for everyone and can be paired with a shimmery top coat for an extra touch of sparkle. If you're feeling adventurous, try an olive green or a brighter, zingier shade of green. For a minimalist look, sheer and nude hues are also a good choice.
Winter
During the winter, deeper shades are typically favoured. Dark and moody colours like grey, blue, purple, maroon, and chocolate brown are perfect for a wintery manicure. These shades can be paired with a shiny top coat for an elegant finish. If you're looking for something more classic, a simple burgundy or bright red shade is always a good choice. Metallics are also a great option for the winter, adding a unique finish to your manicure.
Spring and Autumn
For the transition seasons of spring and autumn, it's all about finding a balance. During these seasons, you might opt for colours like teal, which sits somewhere between blue and green. Pastel shades can also be a good choice for these seasons, especially if you're looking for something softer and more subtle. Butter yellow is a perfect choice for spring, as it aligns with the fresh and airy feel of the season. If you're feeling playful, add some nail art to your manicure, such as hearts, stars, or butterflies.
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Personal preference: Choose colours you like, regardless of trends or skin tone
Ultimately, choosing a nail colour is a matter of personal preference. While some sources suggest that certain colours may complement certain skin tones, there are no hard and fast rules. As one source states, "every colour suits every skin tone".
If you're unsure about which colour to choose, it can be helpful to select a shade that you personally like, regardless of whether it's currently in fashion or whether it is deemed to suit your skin tone. After all, colour preferences vary among individuals, and there's no reason why you can't opt for a colour simply because you like it!
For instance, if you're drawn to vibrant shades, you might consider a bold red, a bright orange-red, or even a fluorescent green, sparkling blue, or vibrant orange. On the other hand, if you prefer more muted tones, you could opt for a soft pink, a glossy nude, or a pastel shade such as baby blue, lilac, or peach. These softer shades are particularly popular during the summer months, while deeper shades tend to be more common in winter.
In addition to considering the colour itself, you might also take into account the finish of the nail polish. For a classic and sophisticated look, you could choose a glossy finish, or for something more eye-catching, you could experiment with glitter, shimmer, or metallic effects.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, and there are endless options to explore and enjoy.
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Frequently asked questions
Maroon, chocolate brown, dark purple, and golden are some colours that can be used for a regular look. For a natural look, colours like peach, pearly white, and light shades of brown and pink are great options.
Women with medium skin tones can try a range of colours, including bright shades of orange, red, pink, and yellow. Glitter nail polish can also be used to achieve a tanned look.
While colour preferences vary among women, some may prefer to avoid loud colours like fluorescent green, sparkling blue, vibrant orange, or wicked yellow.
Pastel colours like lavender, mint, peach, and baby blue are on-trend right now. Cat-eye nails, 3D nail art, and chrome nails are also popular choices.
While some women may consider their skin tone when choosing a nail colour, others believe that any colour can suit any skin tone. It's important to consider personal preferences, wardrobe matching, and seasonal trends when selecting a nail colour.











































