Summer means you can finally put away those nude and dark nail polishes [1] you swiped over and over during the cold months and bring out the brightest of the bunch [2]. And though we promote and encourage you to apply any vivid color on your nails — it's all about experimenting and being merry — there are some colors that complement your skin tone a little better.
For that, we reached out to Jin Soon, an editorial manicurist and founder of JINsoon Spas and JINsoon Nail Lacquer, and got her recommendations. "Summer is finally here! What better way to express your excitement than by wearing pops of color on your nails," she said before giving us the list of shades ahead that "act as strong punch lines when contrasted against your skin tone, and work with your undertones [3]." Scroll ahead to find your ultimate shopping list.
Blue For Pale Skin Tones
Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Kings & Thieves [4] ($18)
China Glaze Nail Polish in Frostbite [5] ($8)
Burberry Nail Polish in Stone Blue No.431 [6] ($22)
Forever 21 Nail Polish in Stone Blue [7] ($3)
JINsoon Nail Polish in Aero [8] ($18)
Coral For Medium Skin Tones
Christian Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer in Aventure [9] ($27)
RMS Beauty Nail Polish in Smile [10] ($15)
Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Girls Just Want to Have Fun [11] ($18)
OPI Infinite Shine Nail Polish in Familiar Terra Tory [12] ($13)
Essie Nail Color in Too Too Hot [13] ($9)
Orange For Olive Skin Tones
Pixi Nail Colour in Oh So Orange [14] ($8)
L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail Color in L'Orange [15] ($6)
Saint Laurent La Laque Couture Pop Water Collection in Orange Pop [16] ($28)
Formula X The Colors Nail Polish in Uber [17] ($11)
Marc Jacobs Beauty Hi-Shine Nail Polish in Enamored [18] ($18)
Yellow For Dark Skin Tones
Orly Glowstick Nail Polish [19] ($9)
Lauren B Coachella Valley Sun [20] ($18)
Givenchy Beauty Women's Nail Polish in N24 Jaune Expression-Colorless [21] ($22)
Londontown Yellows Lakur Enhanced Colour in Notting the Fancy [22] ($16)
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Mellow Yellow [23] ($2)