Not Red, Not Brown—This Parisian-Coded Nail Colour Is the Classiest Shade You Can Request Right Now
Navy manicures are the timeless nail colour that transcends trends. These are the best navy nail polishes we've tried.
Anyone who knows me will correctly guess that my favourite nail polish hues tend to range from milky, sheer white to sheer pink nail polishes that impart a healthy glow to the nails. You see, whilst I'm swayed by nail trends and adore dark nail colours on other people, on my hands, they tend to look too stark. I've always envied those who can carry off a dark burgundy, glossy black or brown nail colour. For some reason, they just don't suit my skin tone, especially in the winter months.
Navy blue nail polishes, on the other hand, I make an exception for. Softer than black, yet moodier than other blue nail shades, I find navy complements my skin tone whilst satisfying my itch to embrace deeper manicure colours. In fact, I'd argue that navy blue is actually a neutral. I think of it as the nail version of your favourite pair of dark-wash denim jeans. They go with anything and everything, and they remain timeless no matter the season. They also feel incredibly Parisian-coded, and it's a colour that never dates.
Over the past few weeks, I've been researching and testing the best navy nail polishes that I've spied on the chicest of hands of late. Scroll on to find your next favourite navy nail polish.
Best Navy Nail Polishes
- Best Overall: Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Caviar Bar (£11)
- Best Shimmer Navy Nail Polish: Manucurist Green Flash LED Polish in Dark Night (£19)
- Best Luxury Navy Nail Polish: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Fugueuse (£30)
- Best Glossy Navy Nail Polish: OPI Nail Lacquer in No Chips On My Shoulder (£18)
- Best Affordable Navy Nail Polish: H&M Gel Colour Polish in Safe With Me (£7)
1. Essie Gel Couture in Caviar Bar
I've been singing the praises of the Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish for as long as I can remember (combined with the Gel Couture Top Coat, it's the next best thing to a gel manicure—trust me), as it lasts on my nails for well over a week without chipping. I recently bought a bottle of Caviar Bar, which is the most beautiful deep blue with an ultra-glossy finish. I've been wearing this polish over the past week and have lost count of the number of compliments I've received on it.
2. Manucurist Green Flash LED Nail Polish in Dark Night
If you favour a shimmer finish, may I suggest this Manucurist nail colour? It has subtle metallic pigments, but isn't overly glitzy. If you prefer a classic cream finish, then Poppy Seed is a beautiful, deep grey-navy tone that I have my eye on next.
3. OPI Nail Lacquer in No Chips On My Shoulder
I often spot Hailey Bieber wearing a navy nail colour, and more often than not, she's wearing OPI Midnight Mantra. Whilst it's not readily available in the UK, the No Chips On My Shoulder OPI nail colour is a very close match. The OPI Infinite Shine formulas are so glossy and shiny, whilst giving you a gel-like finish that lasts longer than your typical nail polish.
4. Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish in Fugueuse
I don't need to tell you that Chanel's nail colours are amongst some of the chicest around. But I think the Fugueuse shade totally flies under the radar. It's the perfect deep navy blue, and the curved brush means you get a flawless manicure each and every time.
5. Bio Sculpture Nail Polish in Blue Mushroom
I often see this Bio Sculpture nail polish colour on some of the best luxury nail techs in London, and it really is a sophisticated colour to go for if you want expensive-looking nails. Bio Sculpture manicures are famed for their long-lasting and glossy results. Thankfully, it also comes in nail polish form too if you're doing your nails at home.
6. H&M Gel Colour Nail Polish in Safe with You
When I was browsing in H&M the other day, I stumbled across the beauty section, and the nail shades are amazing. I was instantly drawn to this deep, inky blue shade, which also comes with a gel-effect formula that requires no nail lamp. It's one of the best long-lasting formulas for the price.
7. Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Bleu Encre
When I reviewed the Hermès nail polishes previously, I didn't think that they'd be worth the £47 price tag. But I was proved wrong. These nail polishes are next-level, from their luxurious bottles to the beautiful colours. Bleu Encre is the chicest, Parisian blue you could imagine with deep, inky tones.
8. Nails Inc 45 Second Speedy Gloss Nail Polish in Time For Trafalgar Square
If you need your nail polish to dry fast (and who doesn't?), then I'd urge you to try Nails Inc's formulas. Each coat dries in less than a minute, and the deep blue looks so rich and shiny on nails. I'm prone to smudging my nails, but it never happens with this formula.
9. Barry M In a Flash Quick Dry Nail Paint in Navy Night
It might be a while since you picked up a Barry M nail polish, but the nail paints are a cheap and cheerful option that won't make your bank account cry. Navy Night is a polished, jewel-toned navy that looks so much more expensive than its price tag suggests.
How We Tested
I did a deep-dive into the navy nail colours that you'll often see the top celebrity manicurists wearing and using on their clients' hands, as well as testing the formulas first-hand to find the best navy nail polish colours. I looked for the best navy shades, as well as evaluating the formulas for their shine, longevity and ease of application.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
