Seasonless Style: 7 Nail Colours For Every Skin Tone

It’s neither a secret nor a surprise that I love me some nail polish. More often than not, my fingernails are lacquered in shiny, red gel polish (I even own my own LED light gel-nail system). In my gigantic box of nail polishes, I have four bottles of regular, red nail polish. FOUR. That’s not including red variations like wine or burgundy. Or the ones that are sparkly.

The Ultimate At-Home Manicure

Ahem.

To say I own a lot of nail polish is an understatement – and I’ll admit, my collection is a bit foolish. Especially since I really only use a handful of my nail colours regularly – and some don’t get love at all. From season to season, the nail polish shades vary from pastels and brights during the spring and summer to rich, vampy tones during the fall and winter. If you find yourself picking up bright pinks and oranges in July, only to be replacing the barely-used bottles with new, deep shades for fall, you may feel like you’re wasting your time and your money. I know I sometimes do – and I can justify a new bottle of nail polish all day long.

The good news is there are a few nail colours that are practically seasonless – great shades that work all year round, and on most skin tones. Quit trying to keep up with the Jones’ manicure picks and reach for one of these shades next time. You won’t be sorry.

Are You Wearing Your Colours?

Classic Red

Truly a classic, red polish is ladylike and absolutely seasonless. It’s festive during the winter holidays, and fresh and fun in the summer. My current favourite? Red Hot Rio by OPI. I just had it put on my toes during my pre-BlissDom Canada pedicure!

Red Hot Rio – OPI Chatters Salons : $10.50

Taupe

Who doesn’t love a good neutral? Depending on your skin tone and your personal preference, choose a darker or lighter colour. Don’t Sweater It by Essie Canada is a favourite go-to of mine – and a great choice for fall after all those pale nudes I rocked this summer.

Don't Sweater It – Essie Canada Shopper’s Drug Mart : $11.99

Light Pink

Another ladylike choice, light pink is fresh and pretty all year round. Pair your light pink manicure with a bright red or deep navy pedicure for a fun contrast.

Mayfair Lane –nailsinc NailKale Sephora : $17.00

Bright Pink

The epitome of summertime can still be worn during the cooler months. Bright pinks are a fun way to wake up pale winter skin and inject some colour into dark days.

No Need For A Bikini – Colour Hit Sephora : $6.50

Navy

Black is harsh against most skin tones – soften up a dark manicure with a rich navy for an edgy summer manicure, or let it be your go-to during the cooler months. Your choice! This is a shade you’ll wear over and over.

Centigrade – Formula X Nail Polish Sephora : $13.00

White

Forget Liquid Paper on your nails (don’t act like you never painted your nails with White-Out during a math class)! White nails are fresh and beautiful in the summer, but they have a fantastic snow bunny vibe when the weather turns cold. I like white best on my toes, but a white manicure done right is a beautiful thing.

Cotton Buds – butter London Sephora : $17.50

Gray

Not feeling white or black? Try dabbling in the middle ground and swipe a gorgeous gray on your nails for a classy manicure. Look for smoky tones with hints of purple if you want a more feminine gray, or try a metallic-y gray on for size.