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The Best Nail Polish Colors for Tan Skin

Whether you’ve slathered on the sunscreen and relaxed poolside or you’ve recently applied your favorite at-home self-tanner, there are plenty of ways you can use your nail polish color to enhance your sun-kissed glow.

In fact, when you’re on the lookout for the best non-chipping nail polish for tan skin, you should opt for soft pastels and bold neon hues that highlight your golden complexion. Fortunately, there are plenty of stunning shades to choose from.

In this article, we’ll explore how to uncover your perfect nail polish color for tan and medium skin tones, discuss which shades will highlight your summer glow, and compare the best seasonal shades for tan skin.

Unlock Your Perfect Nail Polish Color

When you’re on the lookout for the perfect shade, there are a few factors you’ll want to keep in mind. Here are some helpful tips for finding a polish that highlights your features and complements your tan:

Consider the Season

While a golden tan is a surefire summer standard, you may be lucky enough to have tan skin all year around. If you have a consistent medium skin tone regardless of the weather, finding nude nail polish may be right for you. In either case, keep the season in mind when selecting your next nail hue.

Neon colors and bold tones tend to be more popular in the warmer months, while soft, elegant pastels are perfect for winter and spring.

Keep Your Undertones in Mind

Even with a tan or darker skin tone, your skin’s undertones are what help make your look distinctly you, so keep them in mind when you’re after the perfect shade of polish. To uncover your undertones, simply flip over your wrist. If your veins look green, you probably have warm undertones. If your veins are bluish or purple, your undertones are probably cool.

Here’s a look at the three primary undertones, and which colors may suit you based on whether you’re warm, cool, or neutral:

  • Tan skin with warm undertones – For polishes that flatter tan skin with warm undertones, look for shades with a reddish hue. This includes anything from a bold coral to a burnt red like Dazzle Dry’s Ember polish. Doing so will nicely accentuate your warm undertone.
  • Tan skin with cool undertones – If you have cool undertones, opt for cool-toned pinks and pastel purples to highlight your summer glow. Shades like Dazzle Dry’s peachy Rose Quartz and lavender Faith lacquers will help enhance your tan.
  • Tan skin with neutral undertones – When you’re after the perfect polish for tan skin and neutral undertones, your natural versatility gives you plenty of options. You can opt for a bold, bright shade like Dazzle Dry’s High Velocity Red or an orange hue like the lacquer Petit Four to highlight your neutral undertone.

Once you understand your undertones, finding the right shade is a breeze. Even better? Not only can the right shade help showcase your golden glow, but it can also help pull together your entire ensemble for a fun and coordinated look.

Summer Vibes: Brights & Neons

Whether you’ve indulged in some sun, sand, and surf (after layering on SPF, of course) or you’re heading back from a spray tan, a golden brown complexion is a hallmark of summer. With long days and warm nights, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to show off your new tan, so why not pair it with a bold and bright nail polish that highlights your glow?

Look bright and beautiful with eye-catching shades that illuminate your summer tan. If you’re headed to the beach or pool, opt for sea-side-inspired hues like Mystic Blue and Lotion, Please!

To add a pop of color to your everyday outfits, try an orange shade with a touch of gold shimmer, like Poppy Poison, or expand your personal color palette with a punchy coral hue like Carnival Coral.

The Elegance of Nudes and Pastels

If you’re after an understated, effortless elegance, nude tones and pastels may be more your vibe. Fortunately, these hues also make your tan pop, and they work well with any ensemble, no matter the season. For more tips, check out our full guide to The Best Nude Nail Polish Colors for Tan Skin!

Depending on your undertones, you may opt for a golden-beige lacquer like Shimmering Sands or Mystical Voyage.

What Nail Polish Color is Most Attractive?

If you’re searching for the right nail polish for tan skin, you can’t go wrong with certain classic hues. While it’s true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, certain universally adored lacquer shades can complement your tan skin and let your natural beauty shine.

Suitable for any skin tone, these colors are especially stunning when paired with sun-kissed skin:

  • Classic white lacquer – When you’re after a touch of feminine elegance, choose a universally attractive white shade, like Dazzle Dry’s French Vanilla lacquer. A classic white polish never goes out of style, and it offers the perfect amount of contrast to make your tan really pop.
  • Appealing red polish – Red nails are a favorite for a reason. This eye-catching color offers the right amount of warmth and drama to highlight your sun-kissed skin while being a chic addition to any outfit. We recommend pairing a red manicure with a fresh tan and gold accessories for a final look that exudes romance and confidence.
  • Effortlessly cool dark tones – Do you have a dark side? So can your nail polish. Brush on a couple of coats of a near-black shade like Dazzle Dry’s raisin purple tone, Forbidden Passion, for a sleek and chic manicure that will add a touch of mystery to your new summer tan.

Ultimately, choosing the right polish shade can add elegance to your ensemble, show off your passionate side, or offer a sense of empowerment with a bold, dark appeal. Regardless of what you’re looking for, these universally attractive hues are sure to deliver (and turn heads).

Why Dazzle Dry?

When it comes to your lacquer, not only should you have an array of color choices, but you should also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re using high-quality products. That’s where Dazzle Dry comes in.

Crafted by bioorganic chemist Dr. Vivian Valenty, the Dazzle Dry System will change the way you think about the standards of nail care. That’s because the Dazzle Dry System includes non-toxic formulas made with nail-strengthening ingredients that deliver quick-drying results. Even better? It actually improves the health and appearance of your nails over time.

Make Your Tan Pop with the Help of Dazzle Dry

Eager to showcase your fresh summer glow? Or are you simply a die-hard any-season self-tanner? No matter which description suits you best, there’s nothing quite as fun as finding a polish that complements your tan.

While there’s no one-shade-fits-all solution to the best color for a tan, there are plenty of nail polish colors for medium skin—just check out Dazzle Dry’s lacquer collection. With quick dry times, lasting results, and cruelty-free ingredients, you can’t go wrong with Dazzle Dry no matter what hue you choose!

Explore our guides to discover the ideal nail lacquer shades tailored to various skin tones:


Sources:

  1. Allure. The Prettiest Nail Polish Colors for Spring 2024.https://www.allure.com/gallery/spring-nail-colors
  2. Healthline. How to Identify Your Skin’s Undertones and What This Means for You.https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/skin-undertones

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