The Best Summer Nail Polish Colors for Your Skintone

Elle

Summer brights are always stylish-especially on your fingers! The question is which vibrant lacquer is right for you? Top nail experts weigh in.

Skin Tone: Light

Deborah Lippmann
Deborah Lippmann

"If you have fair skin, stick with a shade that has more of a pink or blue undertone," says Deborah Lippmann, who recommends her Daytripper and On the Beach lacquers.

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Daytripper and On the Beach, $18 each; lippmanncollection.com

Revlon
Revlon



Revlon's go-to manicurist, fashion industry notable Jin Soon Choi, also suggests blue enamels. "Light skin tones have a pink undertone that absorbs blue color very well, making it less shocking but still fun," she says. "Try Revlon's limited-edition Nail Art Neon in Electric Blue or Revlon ColorStay in Coastal Surf." For the former, which launches in July, Choi says the double-ended wand works wonders: "Applying opaque white under neon color makes it appear more vivid."

Revlon Nail Art Neon in Electric Blue, $7.99; available in drugstores in July; Revlon ColorStay Longwear Nail Enamel in Coastal Surf, $7.99; drugstore.com

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Skin Tone: Medium

Deborah Lippmann
Deborah Lippmann


"Medium-colored skin has more of a yellow base tone, so it looks amazing with orange and yellow nail polish," says Lippmann. "Purples and violets work too, as long as they're not overly bright." Lippmann's go-to shades: Lara's Theme (created with supermodel Lara Stone) and Yellow Brick Road.

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Lara's Theme and Yellow Brick Road, $16 each; lippmanncollection.com

Revlon
Revlon

"Orange complements the undertones in medium-colored skin," says Choi. "Try Revlon ColorStay Nail Enamel in Sorbet or Revlon Nail Enamel in Tangerine."

Revlon ColorStay Longwear Nail Enamel, $7.99; drugstore.com; Revlon Nail Enamel in Tangerine, $2.49; ulta.com

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Skin Tone: Dark

Deborah Lippmann
Deborah Lippmann

"I usually feel that dark or tanned skin tones wear plum and orange shades best," says Lippmann, "But fuchsia and hot pink are also great. Sweet Dreams and Nasty Girl from my new Run the World (Girls) collection are perfect!"

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Sweet Dreams, $18; lippmanncollection.com; Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Nasty Girl, $45, part of Run the World (Girls) set; lippmanncollection.com

Revlon
Revlon

"Rich corals are good for this skin tone because they create a contrast without being too shocking," says Choi. "Even with bright polish, you want it to be complementary and not too over the top." Her pick: Revlon ColorStay Longwear Nail Enamel in Marmalade.

Revlon ColorStay Longwear Nail Enamel in Marmalade, $7.99; drugstore.com

Click Here to See More Summer Nail Colors for Your Skin Tone

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