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.
19 Most Popular Nail Colors of 2021 Prettiest Nail Polish Shades
Shiny lip gloss. Close up of young African-American woman touching lips with shiny lip glossyacobchuk

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
    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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

  • 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)

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