Nothing makes a woman feel more put together than a fresh manicure. The perfectly symmetrical tips, moisturized cuticles, and high-shine designs are enough to make any of us feel like a whole new woman in just under an hour. That is, assuming you are someone who can actually manage to quickly pick from one of the several hundred available shades.
Too often we opt for the most fashion-forward colors that make us feel good in the moment but are left disappointed when they ended up clashing with other elements of our look. Sure, aqua nails look great wrapped around a Caipirinha while we lounge around our favorite beach club, but sometimes we just need a color that can take us from the boardroom to the ballet then to Sunday brunch and back around again.
So, here are my top five shade suggestions that are guaranteed to help you feel classy and sophisticated in every situation:
1. Red
It’s powerful. It’s eye-catching. It’s just so…..RED! If any color was going to be in the number one spot it would have to be a nice juicy red. Whether you like to go for a more classic blue-based red or a saucy red-orange, it’s still the ultimate knockout color; Every red polish seems to demand attention and has its own unique way of being both glamorous and conservative at the same time.
Red polish made its debut during the 1920s and then reached peak popularity in the 1950s- bygone eras that were marked by glamorously feminine women dominating in both Hollywood and the home. Every time I see a shiny red manicure I can’t help but think that whether a woman sees herself as a domestic goddess or an ambitious #GIRLBOSS, a fierce red varnish makes a silent statement: “I am woman. Hear me roar.”
Shade Suggestions:
- OPI – Unrepentantly Red
- Christian Louboutin – Coccinella
- NARS – Dovima
2. White
Sometimes we just need to start off with a clean slate. Some might think white is too boring or uninspiring but adding a touch of crisp white polish brings a certain balance to our overall look. There are both warm and cool shades, so wearing white polish can be as equally striking as any other color. It makes space for us to be imaginative and a quick swipe of a more pearly shade will help add dimension to offset its “flatness.”
Shade Suggestions:
- Essie – Ballet Slippers
- Christian Louboutin – Sweet Charity
- OPI – Pearl of Wisdom
3. Sheer Pink
A nice sheer nude pink looks very classic and discreet. It portrays a “take me as I am” attitude that gives the sense that the wearer is comfortable in their own skin. Evenly applied barely-there layers of sheer pink make your hands look pretty and pampered, thus its understatedness is great for highlighting sparkly platinum and diamond jewelry.
There are many well-known shades that give the look of perfectly naked nails; Women with lighter nail beds will do better with a soft peachy pink while medium and darker-skinned ladies will probably prefer to use more of a mauvey rose shade.
Shade Suggestions:
- Dior – Tra-La-La
- OPI – Passion
- Guerlain – Baby Rose
4. Beige
As a tan-skinned lady myself, I love a beautiful brown-based beige. It is a better nude shade for my skin tone and feels relaxed and casual. Adding an ultra-high shine top coat helps enhance the color by giving it that extra clean, luxurious look and making it appear impressive without trying too hard.
I find that, like sheer pink, beige signals that you take your grooming seriously, right down to the last detail. It is subtle and delicate and you like to prim yourself just for the sake of it, irregardless if anyone else will notice.
Shade Suggestions:
- OPI – Samoan Sands
- YSL – Beige Leger
- NARS – Zakynthos
5. Bordeaux
Bordeaux is very refined and deep. It is my absolute favorite because it is a little bit lavish and makes me think of the pleasures of indulging in fine wine and sweet dark fruits. Much like the dark liquid the shade was named after, Bordeaux polish is a bold gilded pleasure. It is high-fashion, high-class, and characterized by an elegant distinction that makes it feel tasteful and mature.
This daring shade is a great choice during cold weather months when the days are overcast and still. It is alluring without feeling bombastic and shows you are serious in both your style and manner.
Shade Suggestions:
- Chanel Le Vernis – Vamp
- Tom Ford – Bordeaux Lust
- OPI – Visions of Love
Of course, there are other colors that one may prefer for social outings, but in order to truly present ourselves as classic beauties, we must first learn to pick colors that are appropriate for every occasion while still letting our authentic selves shine through. Choosing the right nail polish is choosing how you want to be perceived. Flashy feels fun but classy feels confident.
