55 Nail Colors That Are Especially Gorgeous on Dark Skin

Pear Nova Lemon Drop Logic

“There’s just something about a bright yellow on dark skin that demands everyone’s attention,” says James.

Buy Now $14

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Essie Tangerine Tease

“Bright orange is electric against darker skin tones,” says Edwards.

Buy Now $10

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OPI Funny Bunny

"Funny Bunny by OPI is the nice creamy white that really pops on darker skin tones,” says Lori Banks, a nail artist in Los Angeles.

Buy Now $12

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ORLY Roam With Me

“Roam With Me is the most perfect taupe shade that will go with any outfit,” says Mazz Hanna, manicurist and founder of Nailing Hollywood. “It has a pink undertone that will really make your natural nails pop.”

Buy Now $11

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OPI Put on Something Ice

“Pink with soft glitter metallic is playful and a whimsical day-to-evening color,” says Edwards.

Buy Now $12

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Pear Nova Kissu Miss You

"This is a vibrant, fiery red that's incredibly flattering on dark skin tones,” says James. “It's a timeless shade that screams sophistication."

Buy Now $14

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Dazzle Dry CEO

"This is the perfect ready-to-wear winter red polish," says Hanna. "If you're not familiar with Dazzle Dry, it's the absolute best for a quick at-home manicure because it dries completely within five minutes. It also lasts longer than regular polish. I typically get seven to 14 days of wear depending on how rough I am on my nails."

Buy Now $22

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OPI Blame the Mistletoe

“This color is perfect for a party nail, especially with the holidays approaching,” says Edwards.

Buy Now $15

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ILNP Sea Glass

“Blue shimmer gives way to Studio 54 vibes,” says Edwards. The glitter in this polish is silvery and super reflective.

Buy Now $10

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Dior Mirror

“This beautiful reflective silver is the closest thing you’ll get to chrome polish straight out of the bottle,” says Hanna. “It looks beautiful and dramatic on deep skin tones.”

Buy Now $30

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Pear Nova Cleo F*ckin Patra

“This is a bronze metallic shade that complements dark skin beautifully,” says James. “Its radiant shimmer adds an instant touch of glamour, making it perfect for special occasions and everyday wear.”

Buy Now $14

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ORLY Monroe’s Red

“Monroe’s Red is a timeless and versatile shade that works well for various occasions,” says Hanna. “This is the perfect shade to put the ‘Red Nail Theory’ to the test.”

Buy Now $11

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Habit Blue Jean Baby

This cornflower blue is super gorgeous. It has depth without being super dark, allowing the shade to really pop.

Buy Now $12

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Olive & June CV

“When it comes to a red, I really like CV by Olive & June,” says Banks. It's a true bright red that doesn't read super orange or blue.

Buy Now $9

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Un/Dn Laqr Melt Down

Coppery shades can function like a neutral when you have a deeper skin tone. This one has pretty golden undertones and adds a subtle pop to the nails.

Buy Now $18

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ORLY Cake Pop

“For whites, I tend to go for more of a not-so-white white, and I think Cake Pop by ORLY is the perfect off-white and cream mixed together,” says Banks.

Buy Now $11

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Hermès Brun Bistre

This deep brown has a super neutral base. It truly makes each nail look like a rich espresso bean.

Buy Now $55

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The Ballet in Low Key

Turn your nails into creamsicles with this orange shade from The Ballet. It's perfect if you want a light shade without veering into pastel territory.

Buy Now $22

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Pear Nova Michelle Our Mama

Michelle Our Mama is a gorgeous milk-chocolatey shade of brown that works beautifully as a nude on darker skin tones. Note that it's a gel polish requiring a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.

Buy Now $21

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Aprés Toadally Awesome

This funky green shade from Aprés has become a favorite of mine. It gives serious '70s vibes. Note that it's a gel polish requiring UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.

Buy Now $15

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Holo Taco Bat B*tch

Go dark with this pewter shade from Holo Taco. It's got tiny hints of silver shimmer that up the wattage on the metallic finish.

Buy on Holotaco.com $14

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ORLY Country Club Khaki

“For nude [polish shades], I like Country Club Khaki by ORLY,” says Banks.

Buy Now $11

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Hermès Orange Poppy

Orangey reds are so pretty on deeper skin tones. The red in this shade also keeps the polish from being too autumnal so you can wear it year-round.

Buy Now $55

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Breukelen Yerrr

Yerrr from Breukelen (pronounced Brooklyn) is a striking cobalt blue. Even without a hint of sparkle, the shade is a bold statement.

Buy Now $13

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Aprés No This Is Patrick

There's just something about coral that looks fabulous on deeper skin tones. That's why I love this pinky-coral hue from Aprés, which is inspired by our favorite starfish. Note that it's a gel polish requiring a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.

Buy Now $15

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OPI Verde Nice to Meet You

This minty hue is a few shades darker than the hue typically is, allowing it to read well on a deeper complexion.

Buy Now $12

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Static Nails Martini Goggles

You can never go wrong with bubblegum pink. It's a pretty and playful without being too loud.

Buy Now $16

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Pear Nova One Piece Wonder

Just shy of neon, this green shade is bright, fun, and especially striking against dark skin.

Buy Now $14

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Deborah Lippmann Her December

For a mauve-y shade that doesn't read chalky, grab Her December, one of the shades in the Debora Lippmann limited-edition fall nail polish set, Cozy.

Buy Now $39

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Aprés Deja Brew

So dark it's nearly black, this brown is unapologetically moody. Note that it's a gel polish requiring a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.

Buy Now $15

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Dazzle Dry Prima Ballerina

“This milky, delicate pink makes a beautiful French base,” says Hanna. “It’s sheer, yet buildable so you can customize the opacity and brightness depending on your preferences.”

Buy Now $22

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Cirque Colors Lyra

This shimmery brown is another metallic shade that reads like a neutral on darker complexions. It's an incredibly reflective polish.

Buy Now $15

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Mooncat Flight of the Monarchs

This iridescent orange shade has hints of blue, purple, and yellow that make it a super dynamic polish. And it's absolutely gorgeous on darker skin.

Buy Now $15

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Essie Expressie Outside the Lines

Wear this bright yellow-orange shade, and it will inject joy into your life every time you peer down at your hand.

Buy Now $10

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Holo Taco The Floor is Guava

This red shade is a bit muted, allowing you to enjoy the bold hue more subtly.

Buy Now $12

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Cirque Colors Introverde

Depending on the way the light hits, this green shade reflects pink and golden hues.

Buy Now $17

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Dazzle Dry Pumped Up Purple

“Pumped up Purple is a beautiful dark blackberry purple that is perfect for the winter months,” says Hanna.

Buy Now $22

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Candy Paints Eastside Unicorn

Give your nails a subtle wash of shimmer with this sheer iridescent shade from Candy Paints. The more layers you add, the more opaque the finish.

Buy Now $22

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Law Writings in the Sand

This sandy shade is a warm beige with pretty yellow undertones. It's a great nude shade for deeper skin tones.

Buy Now $4

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Mooncat Everybody Scream

"Metallics and bright purples pop extremely well on deeper skin due to the vast difference between the skin tone and color, which make the combo dynamic," says Edwards.

Buy Now $14

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The Ballet Not Interested Sir

This orange shade looks so pretty on deeper skin. "The melanin in darker skin is the perfect canvas for bright, bold shades as they provide more contrast, which helps these colors 'pop' while still harmonizing with the rich shades of darker skin," says Banks.

Buy Now $22

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Cirque Colors Brightside

Brightside is a stunning coral-orange jelly polish with big pink flecks of glitter.

Buy Now $17

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Death Valley Nails New York Tap Water

Bright and pretty, this blue shade is great if you want a polish that's expressive without being too distracting.

Buy Now $14

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Holo Taco Feeling Fiendish

Thanks to its pink undertones, this purple polish leans warmer than purples usually do.

Buy Now $12

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Pear Nova Hustle + Glow

This rose gold shade really shines. "Metallic and shimmering shades, like golds and bronzes, can accentuate the natural radiance of dark skin," says James.

Buy Now $14

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Mooncat Outlaw County

If you want a silver shade that's not overly bright, Outlaw County is perfect. It's got a deeper base that gives the color a bit of depth.

Buy Now $15

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Holo Taco Cereal Killer

Cereal Killer is a gorgeous lilac that's especially striking against deeper skin tones. The contrast is stunning.

Buy Now $12

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People of Color Topaz

For a warm shimmery shade that isn't a true metallic, opt for this orange shimmer.

Buy Now $12

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Holo Taco Not Pressed

This serene shade of green is gorgeous. It has yellow undertones to keep it bright but retains enough depth to keep the shade grounded.

Buy Now $12

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The Ballet Gemini Eyes

Gemini Eyes is a deep teal shade that's a total standout, and on deeper complexions especially.

Buy Now $22

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Cirque Colors Klepto

With its subtle pink undertones, Klepto is a really pretty and lively shade of purple.

Buy Now $13

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ORLY Gel FX Act of Folly

I love how this mustard reads against deep brown skin — rich and golden. Note that this gel polish requires a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.

Buy Now $20

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Nash + Pino Maxine

Go bold with this fuchsia polish from Nash + Pino. The hints of blue in the color will allow it to really stand out against deeper skin.

Buy Now $16

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Holo Taco Modest Moss

This muted green is surprisingly versatile and reminiscent of an old-school classroom chalkboard.

Buy Now $12

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Aprés Tiffany’s Sister

This robin egg blue —inspired by the iconic Tiffany shade — is gorgeous against deeper skin. Note that this is a gel polish and requires a UV light to cure and corresponding top and base coats.

Buy Now $15

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