If we had a nickel for every time we've fallen hard for a bottle of nail polish only to be disappointed once it hit our digits, we'd be rich. And, before we stumbled upon this guide from ELLE U.K., we just chalked it up to bad luck. But, now it's clear that we were just oblivious to the complex color theory behind why some shades seemed to fight with our fingers.
The secret? It's all about skin tone. Fair-skinned and still hunting for the perfect red? Try an oxblood variation like the one pictured here. The contrast of a richer red against pale skin is subtly striking. Meanwhile, olive skin tones work best with reds with blue undertones, while those with darker skin might opt for coral-based colors. Already found your Holy Grail red? The guide also dishes tips for the best nude and bright polishes, all dependent on complexion.
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Considering our love for lacquer, this little lesson could prove to be quite the game changer (and all the more reason to add to our ever-growing polish collection). But, hey, knowledge is power, right? (ELLE U.K.)
Burberry Nail Polish in Oxblood, $21, available at Nordstrom.
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