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The 19 Most Popular Nail Colors, According to Editors & Manicurists
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CLASSIC COLORS

The 19 Most Popular Nail Colors, According to Editors & Manicurists

No matter what season it is, these timeless colors are the prettiest shades for every skin tone, mood, and outfit.

By Jesa Marie Calaor, Kat Suico, and Angela Trakoshis

January 21, 2021
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19 Most Popular Nail Colors of 2021  Prettiest Nail Polish Shades
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    Manicures are so much more than just colorful fingertips. They're a means of self-expression, self-care, and joy — that is, if you can ever decide on a nail polish color.

    Picking out a shade among the wide array of options you're faced with at your local nail salon, beauty-supply store, drugstore, or beauty boutique can prove to be no easy feat. After all, you could be faced with a wall filled with not only hundreds of hues but lots of finish options, like rich cremes, high-shine glitters, and statement mattes.

    Remember, it all comes down to your personal preferences at that moment and what you think will make you happiest when you look down at your hands for the next week or two. But if you're still not sure what color to try next and you're looking for inspiration for where to begin, we've pulled together a guide to the best nail polish colors of all time with options from prestige, drugstore, and indie brands — all curated by top editorial nail artists such as Rita Remark, Mar y Sol Inzerillo, Miss Pop, and more.

    Whether you're looking for the blackest black like Essie's Licorice or a vibrant pink neon (we're looking at you, Butter London's Strawberry Fields) — we got you covered. Read on to find your new favorite shade.

    All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

    •  Essie Licorice nail polish on white background
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      Courtesy of brand
      1/19

      Jet Black

      We don't care what season it is — Essie's Licorice works for them all. Remark (who works with the brand) agrees. "This is my go-to black: pure, undiluted, and densely pigmented," she says.  

      $9 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      2/19

      Dusty Pink

      "Dior Incognito is a beautiful neutral that complements every skin tone," says Inzerillo. And that's the damn truth. Plus, it goes with every outfit, too. A win-win in our book.  

      $28 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      3/19

      Cherry Red 

      A cherry red with blue undertones, like Chanel Le Vernis in Pirate, is both sophisticated and eye-catching. "I can't count the number of times this color was worn on the red carpet," said Hanna, whose celebrity clients often request this shade.

      $28 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      4/19

      Cool Blue

      A cool baby blue is what Miss Pop calls "chill vibes in a bottle." She loves the Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro polish in Above the Clouds, which has a formula that dries with full opacity in as little as one coat.

      $20 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      5/19

      Forest Green 

      Looking for a true dark green? "Paintbox Like Wild actually reads green from afar — many greens are too bright or read black," says Kandalec. Near or far, people will envy you over this hue.

      $22 (Shop Now)

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      • Pinterest
      Courtesy of brand
      6/19

      Light Lavender 

      OPI Polly Want a Lacquer is the perfect pastel lavender that provides a subtle jolt of color, says Nuñez. It may take two or three coats to achieve the hue seen in the bottle, but trust us, it's so worth it.   

      $11 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      7/19

      Bright Blue

      Orly Skinny Dip is the kind of shade that takes your mind to the beach, no matter what time of the year it is. Plus, "This ocean blue is great on toes for all skin tones," says Inzerillo.  

      $14 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      8/19

      Fine Wine

      Defy & Inspire Bridezilla is Inzerillo's pick for the sultriest deep-red manicure. The high-shine formula makes nails look healthy, and it matches perfectly with a full glass of your favorite merlot. 

      $7 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      9/19

      Pure White

      We hope we weren't the only teens who painted their nails with Wite-Out. Essie's Blanc is the perfect nail-safe replacement for it. "This is your best bet for a highly pigmented and opaque white," says manicurist Betina Goldstein. 

      $9 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      10/19

      Nearly Neon Orange

      According to Inzerillo, Peacci's Mamasita is the best bright-orange nail polish. And she's not lying. This vibrant hue stands out against all skin tones with just one coat.  

      $13 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      11/19

      Chocolate Brown

      This rich brown shade will definitely have your sweet tooth craving dessert. "Zoya Louise is a creamy chocolate color that's beautiful on darker skin tones," says Inzerillo.  

      $10 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      12/19

      Beige Pink

      Beige-pink is a nail polish color that's fit for most occasions. Case in point: Essie Nail Enamel in Topless and Barefoot, which has been a favorite at weddings, Fashion Week, and red carpet events. Elle cites this color as a celebrity favorite, noting that it’s Blake Lively’s "go-to nude."

      $9 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      13/19

      Hot Pink

      "Butter London Strawberry Fields is a full-coverage pink that you don't need multiple coats of," says Inzerillo. We love this shade for summer, but it doesn't hurt to include it in your nail kit all year round for a little brightness on those dark and gloomy winter days.  

      $18 (Shop Now)

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      • Pinterest
      Courtesy of brand
      14/19

      Indigo

      In a sea of blue hues, there is one shade that stands out. Elle calls indigo — particularly the shimmering OPI Nail Lacquer in Russian Navy — a statement-making nail polish color.

      $11 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      15/19

      Iridescent Rainbow

      Sweeping on a layer of an iridescent nail polish instantly adds dimension to your manicure. For a multicolored shift that borders on magical, New York City-based manicurist, Miss Pop suggests painting on one coat of Zoya Professional Lacquer in Leia before sealing your look with a top coat.

      $11 (Shop Now)

      • Pinterest
      Courtesy of brand
      16/19

      Blackberry

      Blackberry — particularly Chanel Le Vernis in Vamp — is a favorite among multiple nail pros, and it makes complete sense as to why. The smoky red hue is so sultry, it earned a Best of Beauty Award, garnered a loyal following, and even spurred its own Wikipedia page. Elle says she can recall an instance where the nail polish sold out and was auctioned for hundreds on eBay the year it first launched.

      $28 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      17/19

      Amethyst

      A deep, violet nail polish color is equal parts regal and approachable. LeChat Dare to Wear Lacquer in Violet Fizz, a jewel-tone purple, makes the case for this, and is, according to Elle, one of Emilia Clarke's favorite nail colors.

      $6 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      18/19

      Vampy Brown

      A dark, nearly black shade of brown adds an element of mystery to your manicure. An example of this is Essie Nail Enamel in Wicked, which Elle said was born from the demand for vampy shades after Chanel Le Vernis in Vamp had initially sold out.

      $9 (Shop Now)

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      Courtesy of brand
      19/19

      Hot Red

      Nail artist Savannah Walker rarely works with traditional nail polish these days — her highly detailed masterpieces call for gel and other pro materials — but she's still fond of OPI Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp. Walker calls it "hot red" — a little more coral than a true cherry shade, making it an equally bright but not as predictable option.

      $11 (Shop Now)

    Keywordsnail polishnailNail Polishnail artnailsManicuresrepackagenail ideas
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