Coral Nails Are About to Take Over—Here Are the Best Shades for Every Skin Tone
Is it just me, or is coral one of the best nail polish colors out there? I can already hear some of you disagreeing, but let me plead my case. It's always on-trend, looks gorgeous on every skin tone, and adds the perfect pop of color to any outfit.
Still not convinced? Well then, let me bust out the big guns. I asked celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen and Mazz Hanna, a celebrity manicurist and the founder of Mazz Hanna Beauty, to back me up. Both wholeheartedly agree that coral is the new It shade. "Coral nail polish is one of the most universally flattering polishes out there, and its bright pop instantly elevates your mood as soon as you look down at your hands or feet," Hanna says. If you're curious about the coral nail polishes each of them always has on hand, keep scrolling for their top picks and a few of our other favorites.
Queenie Nguyen, Celebrity Nail Artist
1. CND Vinylux Nail Polish in Salmon Run
"This is a creamy shade of coral that is perfect for springtime and looks flattering on all skin tones!"
2. OPI Infinite Shine in Coral-ing Your Spirit Animal
"I love that this is a warm-toned coral shade that certainly will enhance a great tan for the spring and summer."
3. Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer in Mirage
"Dior's vibrant and bright coral shade, Mirage, is sure to add a pop of color to every wardrobe."
4. Nails Inc. Coral Street Neon Nail Polish
"This is an extremely fun shade of coral because it's more of a neon coral. It's great for those that are more daring and not afraid to wear a loud color on their nails."
Mazz Hanna, Celebrity Manicurist and Founder of Mazz Hanna Beauty
5. Ella + Mila Nail Polish in Sunkissed
Hanna goes for polishes like this one that are "super bright with orangey undertones" for deep and olive skin tones. Although, it looks great on everyone. It also looks chic on super-short nails.
6. MiniLuxe 90210 Nail Polish
"This is my go-to coral shade for pedicures. If you are someone who loves a classic red nail but you want to try something different, this is the perfect color for you. I also love this color on a long, rounded nail."
7. Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer in Carnival Coral
"For a classic coral with peachy-pink undertones, I love Dazzle Dry's Carnival Coral. If you have a vacation coming up and don't want to worry about your mani/pedi chipping while you're away, Dazzle Dry is the best. Its formula is long-lasting and will stay looking perfect for up to two weeks. It's also my favorite formula to work with when creating negative-space nail art due to its durability."
More Coral Nail Polishes We Love
8. Orly Nail Polish in Sweet Serenity
This chili-hued shade of coral is extra vibrant and looks sweeter than sweet on every skin tone.
9. Butter London Glazen Nail Lacquer in Trout Pout
Butter London's Glazen Nail Lacquer is chip- and fade-resistant and gives the nails a gel-like, cushiony feeling. This rich salmon is just to die for.
10. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Malibu Peach
Not only is the name of this shade super cute, but it's also extra glossy and easy to work with.
11. Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Color in Première Dame
This has to be one of the most gorgeous flushed coral hues I've ever seen. It would really stand out and pop on darker skin tones and contains ceramides to improve the strength and overall quality of your nails.
12. China Glaze Nail Polish in Flip Flop Fantasy
China Glaze is another classic polish brand that just happens to have a stunning, vacay-ready shade called Flip Flop Fantasy.
13. ILNP Riley Coral Shimmer Holographic Nail Polish
For those who love a good holographic nail vibe, try ILNP's Coral Shimmer Polish. It's bright, adventurous, and absolutely fire when it catches the light just right.
14. Essie Pinks Nail Polish in Peach Side Babe
This chic and elegant shade is the perfect stop between pink and orange. It's just the polish to wear for a day at the beach.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer at Who What Wear and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.
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