Elegant, Timeless, and Everywhere You Look: The Only 9 Dark Nail Colors You Need for an Ultra-Luxe Mani

I'm not frequently asked what one of the most important skills I've gained in my five years as a beauty editor has been, it would have to be the ability to sniff out a trend weeks before it reaches the mainstream. However, nail polish shades tend to be a different story than what I see in the rest of the beauty space. Popular nail art designs, lengths, and shapes appear on the FYP and disappear just as quickly (with a small number being revisited every other year or so), but having a elevated look using deep, rich-looking colors never out of style.

OPI's moody near-black purple nail polish shade, Lincoln Park After Dark ($12), and Essie's luscious, deep red, Berry Naughty ($10) continue to live rend free in the minds of beauty editors and enthusiasts alike, but there are hundreds of other shades worth trying ahead of your next manicure. Below, I'm sharing the best dark nail polish colors on the market that have received glowing reviews from fashion people, celebrities, and nail artists that reach for them season-after-season. Get ready to screenshot—these nine nail polish names and manicures are too good not to try.

1. Rosewood

This opulent, chocolate brown shade combines flecks of metallic shimmer and copper undertones that catch the light in just the right way. While it's definitely a shoo-in for your cozy winter and fall manicures, it's also neutral enough to worn year-round. To recreate the above nails by Julia Dogo, use Bio Sculpture's Gemini Nourishing Nail Polish in Rosewood Stardust ($15). I also adore wearing DND's Dark Rosewood Gel Polish & Lacquer ($12) for a moody take on the romantic shade.

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2. Licorice

A wearable, black nail polish deserves to be in constant rotation, and I the one used for this shimmering black metallic manicure is what dream are made of. Nail artist Mateja Novakovic layered the Green Natural Nail Polish in Licorice by Manucurist ($14) with a chrome powder for the pearlescent sheen finish. To achieve a similar finish without having to rely on chrome powder, pick up OPI's Infinite Shine Nail Polish in Stay & Night ($15)

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3. Spiced Chocolate

I'm a self-proclaimed neutral nail warrior, but I've begun to expand my collection of polish for at-home manis from milky whites and soft pinks to include shades of brown just in time for chocolate nails to take off for the fashion crowd. One of my go-to's, The Gelbottle's Nail Polish in Chocolate ($19), was worn by Lily Collins in Season 5 of Emily in Paris. Looking for a red undertone? Try Essie's Nail Polish in No-To ($10).

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4. Forest Green

Chrome and cat eye nails are still on the rise, but jewel-toned shades with a hint of shimmer bring a touch of effortless elegance without taking any extra steps. This earthy green color looks particularly chic in the winter, but looks gorgeous year-round. For the stunning nails above, Novakovic used Manucurist's Green Natural Nail Polish in Poison ($14), but I can't get enough of the smooth jelly application and glitter effect of ILNP's Jelly Nail Polish in Holly ($15).

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5. Black Cherry

"Rouge Noir never misses," says London-based celebrity nail artist Georgia Rae in the caption of her Instagram post, and I heartily agree. This vampy, deep red shade leans more black than red and delivers unheard of levels of shine—a black cherry nail polish that's as bold as it is timeless. For the nails above, Rae wears Chanel's Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Rouge Noir ($14) while holding its bottle. A similar shade is Londontown's Enhanced Colour in Elderberry ($16).

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6. Moody Merlot

We're reminded just how striking merlot manicures look every year when the temperature takes a deep, but I'm believer in wearing deep pigments long before November comes around. This ethereal shade, for example, is the perfect mix of red and eggplant purple. Diogo used Bio Sculpture's Gemini Nourishing Nail Polish in Pinotage ($15), but I recommend also snagging Essie's blood red Nail Polish in Wicked ($10) for a drugstore alternative.

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7. Jungle Green

Green manicures have officially won me over, and it's all thanks to a jungle green manicure created for Olivia Dean. The rich, dark green you see used above on the singer/songwriter's nails is The Gel Bottle's Nail Polish in Jungle ($19), but the Enhanced Colour in Vibe by Londontown ($16) is also worth adding to the lineup. Consider this my official announcement that I'n fully in my Olivia Dean era and I'm not planning on saying goodbye anytime soon to my Wicked one.

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8. Deep Black-Red

Wearing a blood red nail polish like the one used above by Novakovic for this timeless manicure is what always helps me take me evening outfits to the next level. In fact, I'm planning on wearing the same shade, created with Manucurist's Green Flash LED Gel Polish in Hollyhock ($19) the next time I attend the ballet or opera in a floor-length gown. When I'm in the mood for a blackened maroon shade with an opaque finish, I'll use ILNP's Studio Color Nail Polish in Dahlia ($10).

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9. Vintage Brown

You can never have enough vintage-inspired brown polish colors, and I'm already making room in my beauty cabinet for the chocolate color used in this shot of of Rae's nails. With a bit of sleuthing, I discovered it to be Bio Sculpture's Gemini Nourishing Nail Polish in Sunset Boulevard ($15). For a similar polish with a creamy finish, use Dazzle Dry's Nail Lacquer in Fringe ($22).

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