5 Nail Polish Shades Every Woman Should Have

BASE COAT and clear lacquers aside, here are essential hues every woman should have in her arsenal of pretty nail paints.

1. A Neutral Blush


This is the nail polish you wear when you want nails to simply appear buffed and shiny. Depending on your skin tone, specific shades may vary. I find that the neutral-beige that is flattering among peers makes my own nails look yellow and “dead.” If you notice pinker (versus yellow) undertones in your skin, opt for a shade with a hint of pink, or even purple instead of straight-up beige. OPI, Essie and other salon and specialty brands seem to have a stronghold in this category and for good reason: Their formulas are topnotch; the brushes a breeze to use and make for seamless DIY application; and they have more stringent manufacturing measures that prevent bad-for-you ingredients from making their way inside each bottle. So, when it comes to this go-to shade, invest in the best one you can afford.

2. A True Red

Timeless and elegant, a rich apple-red is a top pedicure-pick, and applied professionally, yields the biggest bang for your buck (since perfectly painted toes take time and effort). It’s also hands-down the classiest shade you could be seen wearing when you go barefoot, say, at the airport security check or when you visit someone’s home where guests are asked to leave shoes at the door.

This is also the nail varnish you’ll use to paint your toes in a pinch, when you find yourself in desperate need of a pedicure, yet have no other shoe to pair with a dressy outfit except for those open-toe heels. From a distance, red-painted toenails look especially neat, even if you haven’t set foot in a nail salon in ages.

If a fiery and feisty crimson is too much for you, try a “cuter” cherry, or even a deeper wine or burgundy.



3. A Hot Pink

No matter how old you are-unless you’re a man-you need an eye-popping fuchsia on tips every now and then for two reasons: First, to easily “transition” from red without worrying about leftover streaks if you’re doing a mani-pedi at home (you won’t have to exert much effort with the cotton pad and polish remover).

Second, it’s a fun and fabulous shade that’s widely acceptable, even in the workplace. And, sometimes, you do need a dose of fun and a punch of color to a bland ensemble.

4. A Lovely Lilac Alternative

Think of this tint as a notch above the neutral hue mentioned in No. 1. It’s what you wear when you first meet your boyfriend’s parents, or what you paint on the night before a friend’s wedding. It’s understated, yet, visible enough to send the message that you’ve taken time to groom your nails.

Skin tone is also key in finding the right lavender shade: Go lighter if you’re fair, and deeper—as in mauve or old rose—if you’re more tan.

5. A Trendy Hue

This is something you can play around with, like that dress with a plunging neckline you’d wear on Salsa Night with friends but never at work (not even on Casual Fridays or at the office party).

You can go from brilliant jewel tones, like the royal sapphire blue popularized by Chanel’s Blue Satin a few years ago and now more widely available via mainstream brands; or super-playful vibrant colors such as lemon yellow or melon orange. If you’re extra-brazen, you could even try neon and electric hues…or even a multi-color combo! They’re all good for as long as you wipe them off by the time you clock in on Monday morning.

Mariel Chua is the former beauty editor of Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and OK! Magazine Philippines. She is now based in New York City. Visit http://beautyinthebigapple.com and her blog, http://nyminutenow.com.


Photos courtesy of Revlon.com, RMUK Hair Beauty Salon (Essie http://www.blog.rm-uk.com/tag/manicures/), ButterLondon.com. Originally published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Inquirer.net.