Best Nail Colors for Tan Skin: The Ultimate Guide

If you’ve just come from the beach and want to really accentuate your sun-kissed glow, you’ll want to look for nail colors for tan skin!

There are several colors that really suit tan skin, and it’s no surprise they are all bright and playful. Sticking to these colors for your next mani will really make that gorgeous tan skin pop!

We’ve rounded up the best colors, as well as some tips on helping your gorgeous manicure last longer.

Best Nail Colors for Tan Skin

To really make your perfect tan pop, consider trying one of these colors for your next mani:

  1. Red – A classic! A classic, true red is ideal for tan skin. Its bright hue will really compliment your tan, and given its popularity for many years, every spa and nail bar is sure to have multiple to choose from.
  2. Orange – If you like the color family of red but want to try something a little different, try a bright orange instead. This color will have a similar effect to classic red, but with a little extra flare! You’ll want to stick with a bright shade of orange, rather than a darker one.
  3. Fuschia – Nothing says summer like a gorgeous shade of fuschia! This vibrant shade of pink will absolutely perfect your gorgeous tan. 
  4. If you want to go in a completely different color direction, try a bright blue instead. A bold and vibrant shade will really accentuate your flawless tan.
  5. Neon Green – The perfect color if you’re feeling adventurous! Neon colors are so popular in the summer, and neon green is sure to make a statement!

Nail Color Ideas for Tan Skin

Now that you know which colors to choose from, it’s time to decide how you’re going to wear them! If you like your manicures to be clean and simple, go classic and choose one color for the whole look. Otherwise, try mixing and matching some of the colors.

For example, red, orange, and fuschia may not be the best combo, but try blue with fuschia or orange, or fuschia and neon green for something really different!

You can also look on Pinterest or ask your nail tech for some nail art inspiration. You can incorporate flowers, polka dots, or glitter.

Nail Colors for Tan Skin
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Choosing Seasonal Nails for Tan Skin

If you have tan skin during certain seasons, you may want to pick your nail color accordingly. Fortunately, all the colors that suit tan skin look great in different seasons!

Red looks good all year round, though it’s of course an obvious choice for the holidays, but in the summer has that effortlessly chic look as well.

Orange is the perfect color to pick for fall, whereas blue and fuschia are great for summer!

Making Your Manicure Last Longer

Once you have your flawless tan and matching manicure, you’ll want to make sure your nails look perfect for as long as possible! Below are a few tips to make sure your polish stays in good shape.

  • If you are doing your own nails, make sure your nail bed is clean before applying your polish. By pushing your cuticles back, giving your nails a quick buff, and wiping them with polish remover beforehand, you’ll make sure you have the perfect canvas to start with.
  • Another important part of doing at home manicures is having a good base and top coat.
  • The base coat acts as an adhesive for the polish, as well as preventing some colors from staining your nails (reds can be tricky!) And a good top coat will seal in the color, and give it that high gloss finish.
  • Whether you do your nails at home or get them done professionally, it’s important to do what you can after the fact.
  • Wearing rubber gloves while you do dishes, or any type of cleaning where your hands are in and out of water a lot will help protect your polish.
  • If you can, try to avoid using too many oils. If your moisturizer is oil based, or if you like to use coconut oil or vaseline, you may notice your polish start to fade sooner.
  • Try a lighter cream based moisturizer if you can.

Choosing nail colors to accentuate your gorgeous tan will elevate any outfit you wear. Even if you were just lucky enough to get away during the colder months, sticking with a bright color afterwards will certainly keep your spirits lifted!

And following our tips for keeping those nails looking fresh will help you get the most out of your next manicure.

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Lindsey Harris
Author
Lindsey is a professional nail artist based in Utah, US. Her specialties are party and occasion nails, she loves to work with glitter and gemstones in her nail studio. She loves sharing her knowledge of the nail industry and curating the latest nail design trends. She is contributing to a number of other industry related magazines.