Nude Color Selection

How to choose nude colors on different skin tones

The most important criterion in selecting a nail polish color is contrast, and this most certainly applies to nude colors. Different skin types support varying degrees of contrast, so find the color that best compliments your skin tone. When you pick the color, place the bottle against your skin, or better yet, apply a small test sample on one nail. Sometimes the color as seen through a glass bottle appears quite different from when it’s actually applied to your nails. And with all skin types, avoid matching the polish too closely to your skin color—it’ll blend right into your skin. This "matchy match" look had its moment of popularity - it was called "mannequin hands" and it had the effect of elongating the fingers.

Finding a nude nail polish for each skin tone:

Finding the perfect nude color for different skin tones is more nuanced than simply choosing the shade that matches your skin tone. I prefer some contrast, which serves to highlight or subtly accentuate your skin tone - nothing too shocking though - you are striving to enhance your skin complexion and give your skin a lively glow. Once you find a shade you like, you will need to decide on the number of coats to apply. Looking at nude tones in the bottle gives you an idea of how the shade will look after more than one coat. This is why it is best to test nail polish on your nails.

When looking for a nude shade, you need to consider undertones:

Undertones are very important when choosing nail colors in the same way that makeup foundation or lipstick selections are based on one's skin undertones. You want to have your hands fresh and glowy, not appearing dull, so make sure to choose the color that enhances your skin undertone. An easy way to check the shade of your undertone is from your veins on your wrist under the sun - a bluish tint is cool, a greenish tint is warm and a combination of these two is neutral. Your skin’s undertone is key to finding the right nude nail shades for your complexion.

Here are undertones for each skin tone (in general):

• Dark skin tone - neutral (mix of warm and cool undertones)
• Olive / medium skin tone - warm (green, yellow, golden undertones)
• Pale - cool (pink, red or bluish undertones)

How do undertones work when looking for their perfect nude shade:

Actually it's very simple - find the color that compliments the color of your skin beneath your fingernail - it's not about matching the skin tone per se, it's more about sourcing the shade that flatters your skin tone. For dark skin tones, use a neutral warm undertone - this is the most versatile skin shade for nail polish because of the richness dark skin imparts. For olive skin tones, I generally start with the taupe family - it can contrast with olive skin tones while referencing the tone at the same time. Rosy pink beiges work well for medium skin tones and pale skin tones need a bit of a contrast so your hands look lively.

Nude nail shades work best for dark skin:

Cacao browns like JINsoon Toff or Taupe smokey nudes like JINsoon Milieu or Demure balance out the warm hues of this skin tone.

Nude nail shades work best for olive skin:

I am not into olive colors for olive skin tones because they do not flatter the skin tone. The best nude shade for olive skin tones needs to be more of a warm toffee beige / lavender gray shade that illuminates an olive complexion with depth and richness. JINsoon Earth Clay and Auspicious are the best nudes for olive skin.

Nude nail shades work best for deep skin:

Dusty rose (muted pink) such as JINsoon Moxie supports the warmth of this skin tone because it both subtly contrasts and highlights deep skin shades.

Nude nail shades work best for medium skin:

Peach or rosey beiges like JINsoon Nostalgia work well with medium skin tones because they highlight the inherent tan hue of the skin while providing just the right amount of contrast. For sheer nail polish, something between sheer white and sheer pink like JINsoon Tulle works the best, as it is the contrast that gives the skin a glowy effect.

Nude nail shade works best for tan skin:

A pale creamy tan such as JINsoon Prim brings out a tan skin tone with understated sophistication.

Nude nail shades work best for fair skin:

The best neutral tone for fair skin is sheer pink. Sheer white nudes and soft opaque white/pinks enhance and support the pink and blue undertones in pale skin tones such as JINsoon Pixie, Dew and Pinky - any sheer with a subtle hint of pink.