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Do you have fair skin and looking for a nail polish that will not only flatter your fair tones but also give you a flawless and long-lasting finish you will love?

Trust me, you’re not alone!

I have spent some time researching this, testing out different colors in order to build my shortlist of the top 10 nail polish colors, which will not only give an effortless finish but also long a long time! These will be sure to compliment my fair ladies out there.

As a fair-skinned girl myself, I find it quite a challenge to find the right color for my skin tone, I will find myself in the store staring at the nail polish and contemplating whether it would suit me– my pale girls, we’ve all been there.

But hold on a second, I have good news!

To make your life 10x easier I have done all the research for you to give you nail polishes with the best hues that will compliment your pale undertone beautifully— from delicate nudes to elegant pinks and blues, I have colors that will suit every occasion.

Let me let you in on a little secret:  nude and pinky brown colors actually compliment pale skin beautifully, I absolutely love these colors and they are flattering for any occasion (I have listed some real nude color gems in this guide so stay tuned)

But I’m sure you cannot wait to get into this list, let’s do it!

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Here are the best nail polishes to compliment your pale tones

1.

Essie Nail Polish In Shine Pastel Pink

Now pretty pinks have always been a favorite of mine, they always compliment my pale skin, and what a better brand to get than Essie itself. This glossy shine creamy pastel pink polish will compliment every outfit while giving flawless coverage.

I don’t just love the effortless finish of this gorgeous color but the durability and ease of use too. It will glide across your fingertips easily and effortlessly, lasting you up to a week when used with a good base coat and topcoat!

No need to go to the salon anymore to have effortless nails with this salon-quality formula!

All you need to do is apply your trusty base coat, two coats of this gorgeous color (leaving a few minutes in between each layer to prevent chipping) then seal the deal with an excellent topcoat and cuticle oil.

To top it all off it is at a super affordable price point, this flawless pink hue will be your perfect match with any outfit and occasion (this one will get you all the compliments).

Pros
  • Gorgeous pink hue
  • Durable and will last up to a week
  • Super affordable
  • Easy application
Cons
  • If not used with base coat and top coat there are issues with chipping

Latest deal: Essie Nail Polish In Shine Pastel Pink

2.

OPI Nail Lacquer In 'Living On the Bula-vard!'

Now if you have read some of my other guides you will know that I have always loved OPI, but a flattering red hue and fair skin are like a match made in heaven! This color is so daring yet flattering at the same time and a must-have for a hot date.

OPI uses the highest quality formulas and a wide range of colors to match every occasion but also every skin tone, celebrating the beauty of all.

Not only will this color in particular compliment fair tones it is a highly pigmented, rich color that is long-lasting and chip-resistant for up to seven days of wear!

But here’s the best bit:

The application of this bad boy is super easy with ProWide Brush, which gives you a flawless, streak-free, and hassle-free application.

Just use with OPI’s base coat, apply two layers of this elegant color then a top coat to top it all off and you will love the results!

For excellent nail polish, that looks beautiful with fair hues, lasts a long time, and all while being at an affordable price does it get any better than that?

Pros
  • Red tones that compliment beautifully with pale skin
  • Lasts up to a week chip-free
  • Easy application 
  • Affordable price point
Cons
  • None so far

Latest deal: OPI Nail Lacquer In ‘Living On the Bula-vard!’

3.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish In Shade To the Taupe

Now I know what you’re thinking: brown nail polish? Will that really suit my pale tones? Well take a seat because this will shock you how well this will compliment your skin tone– I honestly love this one. 

Sally Hansen has really pulled out all the stops with this one.

Not only is it a beautiful color but also the application is like a dream, it will apply to your nails effortlessly and completely streak-free. With two layers of this daring color and you’ll be good to go!

The taupe color of this polish is truly eye catching, really flatting on paler tones. 

Sally Hansen says you don’t need a base coat with this nail polish, just a trusty topcoat,  but I would always include this to improve the durability and add that little extra longevity to your manicure! 

Plus with up to 14 days of wear, beautiful color, and a gel-like finish without the UV lamp– what more could a girl want?

Brown is such a flattering and popular color at the moment and actually compliments pale tones beautifully. It is a daring but gorgeous choice for my fair skin ladies but it’s one you definitely need to try out. 

Pros
  • High potency lacquer that will repair nails
  • UV protected
  • Dries in a matter of minutes
  • Drugstore prices
Cons
  • May not last as long as other gel polishes

Latest deal: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish In Shade To the Taupe

4.

ZOYA Nail Polish In Sandy

Looking for a color that is bold and makes a statement while complementing your fair skin like a dream? Well, Zoya is a product I cannot wait to tell you about. 

The gorgeous color Sandy is a hot flamingo pink that is perfect for a summer vacation! As for the formula, Zoya is the healthiest color choice loved by pregnant and health-conscious women all over the world!

With their award-winning colors and vegan-friendly formula that is the big 10-free, you can’t beat it! These polishes are not only good quality but have a lot of longevity in them too.

Best of all:

It is opaque enough to only need a layer or two. Just apply your favorite base coat, a layer (maybe two if needed), and then a top coat and you’ll be good to go. 

This color is breathtaking and will sit beautifully on your pretty fingertips. 

Pros
  • 10-free formula
  • Vegan-friendly
  • Suitable for pregnant and health-conscious women 
  • Long-lasting
Cons
  • None so far

Latest deal: ZOYA Nail Polish In Sandy

5.

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish In Scarlet Red

Essie Couture will always have a place in my heart and I have tried this color and I absolutely love it for my fair tones. This red is absolutely gorgeous and so flattering when you dress up to go out!

This Scarlet red nail polish is fade-resistant, long-lasting, and chip-resistant, all with zero UV lamps needed. Just apply two layers of this gel-like color after your base coat and seal the deal with a topcoat. 

Let me tell you the kicker though:

Although this is a gel color it will remove like regular nail polish, just remove with any nail polish remover no need for harsh soaking, scrubbing, or scraping, but you’ll still get the finish like a gel polish would!

It will even last you up to 14 days of wear, chip-free!

Essie works hard to give high-quality nail polishes at an affordable price, not to mention the beautiful colors. This Scarlet red color is beautiful and so flattering with a stunning dress to top it off, you’ll love it.

Pros
  • Super affordable
  • Fade-resistant
  • Long-lasting
  • Gel-like finish
Cons
  • It is a more daring color

Latest deal: Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish In Scarlet Red

Best Nail Polish For Fair Skin Buyer's Guide

 

When it comes to finding colors that will suit or fair skin it can be a challenge at the best of times. Sometimes some colors are just not suited for our skin tone– and that is fine.

But I’m tired of buying a new polish and realizing that the color just washes me out, so I’m here to make a stand. I have hunted down and tested the very best formulas, along with a wide array of colors to ensure I have a collection of the very best hues for our fair tones.

Lucky nowadays nail polish and makeup companies celebrate diversity and have colors that will compliment from the highest to the richest, darkest of tones.

We all deserve a selection of colors to choose from that you can rely on and guarantee will compliment your fingertips beautifully and with my help, we can do it together!

But let’s jump into what we need to look for first!

You may also like our guide on: Black Nail Polish or Nude Nail Polish

Choosing the appropriate nail color for undertone:

Picking out a suitable color nail polish for pale skin is usually a herculean task, with some tones that just don’t work with our skin it can be a task to find one that compliments your outfit and skin tone at the same time. 

All pale-skinned people do not possess the same skin undertone. So if a color suitable for Janet might be unsuitable for Linda. It is important to note that your natural skin tone isn’t the same as your undertone and undertones inevitably make or break your outfit.

But not to worry, I’m here to go through the different tones to fair skin and what compliments them best:

Pink undertone:

Take a look at the veins in your wrist, focus on the color. If they are blue, then you fall under the category of people with a pink undertone.

If you are susceptible to acne, and you have pigmentation disorders like freckles, then you have a pink undertone. Although, the concept of pigmentation disorder as evidence of pink undertone does not apply to everyone with pink undertones.

The best colors for pink undertones:

I find that pink undertones complement best with bright nail colors which have a pink, bluish hue.  Colors like purple, red with a pinkish base, deep pink burgundy would look perfect on your nails.

I would recommend avoiding colors like grey, ash would present a washed out or unhealthy nails. Also yellow is another color to avoid, as beautiful as it is sometimes it just doesn’t go sadly.

This does not necessarily mean that you’ll be judged for wearing these inappropriate colors, but if you’re looking for tones that go best I would stick to nudes, pinks, reds, and purples!

Yellow undertones:

When the subtle hue under your skin is somewhat golden or yellowish, then be confident that you fall under this skin category.

Also, if your veins appear greenish, and your hair and eyes are either brown, golden, or green, then there is a high chance that you are a yellow undertone, this could also be referred to as a peachy undertone.

People with pale skin are often said to have a yellow undertone. It is often said to be a warm yet fair skin tone.

The best colors for yellow undertones: 

Even though People with yellow undertones tan easily when exposed to sunrays, they look extremely good when adorned in materials of earthly colors or rather, colors that are rich reflections of nature.

To achieve a flawless complementary nail (if you fall under this category), it is best to stick to the warmer side of the color wheel.

Your nails would get all the attention when you wear warmer shades of colors like violet-red, orchid, cappuccino, moss orange, and olive.

I would stay away from cooler colors with this undertone like icy blue, sapphire, and amethyst would make you appear washed out, or sick and also give your skin a gray effect.

Neutral undertones: 

People with neutral undertone often have their undertones roughly the same color as their actual skin tone.

If you realize that there is a mixture of both warm and cool hues under your skin, then you most likely have a neutral undertone.

People who fall under this category are often considered lucky, as they can easily play around colors of both warm and cool undertones without breaking a leg.

As lucky as they seem, you may find that those with neutral undertones are much fairer and burn easily.

The best colors for neutral undertones:

Neutral people do not have to break a sweat when searching for suitable nail colors, as they can either pick from the color options of the pink skin tone or the color options of the yellow skin tone.

While neutral people can rock neutral colors of nail polish like dusty pink, peach, soft rose, and jade green, they mostly get brain bursting effect if they wear bold colors like red, purple, and the likes.

Frequently asked Questions

What color nail polish looks good on fair skin? Fair skin is beautiful but you need to be careful when it comes to choosing nail polish. I have fair skin myself and I love choosing nude, pinky colors or if I’m looking for a more bold look then vibrant reds blend beautifully.

The best way to judge which nail polish is best for fair skin is to judge your undertone, it can really help when it comes to choosing the right one. 

What nail polish makes you look whiter? If you’d like to show off your fair skin I would recommend trying out a lavender color, it looks beautiful. However, if you’re worried about looking washed out I would avoid colors with grey undertones, as they may wash you out and that’s the last thing we want!

Does red nail polish go well with pale skin? Absolutely! Nothing is more daring and flattering than a gorgeous red hue, it looks amazing when matched with a red dress and red lipstick! 

Summary

Making a choice of the best nail polishes for fair skin can be challenging but it doesn’t have to be, with the ones I have selected today you should have a set of colors that you shouldn’t have to shy away from

They will not only compliment you but you will also receive a wide array of compliments from friends. The days of you struggling to find a good color are over.

The colors I have selected are not only beautiful but they will last you up to a week or even two of chip-free manicures that you will absolutely love. I have also made sure that these nail polishes are fairly healthy for your nail too!

From nudes, pinks, browns to reds– I have got you covered girly! 

Choose out of any I have selected and I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

jess rowley

Jess Rowley

Cheif Editor & Nail Technician Expert

ABOUT

Jess Rowley, a veteran nail tech, has been studying beauty over the last 11 years and has completed the nail technology program in California. Watching the latest trends in beauty, Jess searches for the highest quality products that make your nails feel loved.