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If you are looking for inspo for your prom nails, you've come to the right place. When it comes to planning a prom night look, you've got a lot to think about: the dress, the shoes, your clutch, and jewelry may be your main focus, but we are here to warn you not to forget about your nails.
Whether you got ot tha salon or opt for an at-home manicure, the shade — and shape — of nails you wear for prom can add a lot to your overall look. Choosing the right manicure hue for your outfit's color scheme, however, can be tricky. But fret not because to figure out how to match nail polish to your perfect prom dress or suit, we called upon celebrity nail artists for some helpful color insights; they've got fun, unexpected, and classic ideas for every color prom dress to get you started.
Ahead, find pro suggestions for how to match your prom manicure to your dress, no matter what you're wearing for the big night.
Nails for a Black Dress
When picking prom nails for a black dress, you can basically go in any direction. Black on black is always a good idea. You can never go wrong with a French mani. But if you want something different, celebrity manicurist Beth Fricke suggests going bold: "With a black dress, wear intense flashes of color to accessorize!" Try neons, vibrant aqua or cobalt blue à la Hailey Bieber, or bold banana yellows.
Nails for a White Dress
With a white dress, you can't go wrong with classic pale pink nails, but a white dress is also the perfect blank slate for more colorful shades. According to Julie Kandalec, the founder of Masterclass Nail Academy, wearing white is a great opportunity to choose a fun light coral or bright aqua nails for prom. If you don't love colorful pics, consider a muted brown or a classic red.
Nails for a Red Dress
“Matchy-matchy is actually OK here," says celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival. “With red, more than other colors, it’s really important to nail the right undertone. A red dress with an orange-y hue needs a warm undertone nail color. Similarly, if you have a red dress with a cool, blue undertone, the nail color should mimic it. Pink also looks so chic with red — it’s my favorite color combination right now.”
Nails for Blush Pink Dress
"Try something fun and unique like a fresh blue or mint green that coordinates with jewelry or matches eye makeup to modernize the look," says Beth. You could also opt for bright, fresh white prom nails — and potentially add some glitter over the white to spice things up. If you want to contrast the softness of the dress, go for a bright red like Iris Apatow.
Nails for a Floral Dress
“If you are planning on wearing a floral dress, then you don't want to be too cutesy in other areas like makeup and nails,” says Nonie Crème, the founder of Butter London. “Offset the softness and sweetness of a floral dress with a dramatic, high-octane color like a vampy blackish-burgundy. Or, try something fun and offbeat — maybe something glittery.” If you do want the cutesy look, pale pink or a French mani — even better if with a twist — are your best options.
Nails for a Gold Dress
If you want to go all out, complement a gold metallic dress with gold metallic (or gold glitter) prom nails. A warm, solid color like orange also looks great with a gold dress. If you want a subdued look, nudes are your best friend — but make sure to go all out with accessories.
Nails for Silver Metallic Dress
For a silver metallic prom dress, choose a cool nail color like gray, soft purple, or periwinkle blue. These colors complement silver well and add a touch of romance to your outfit. If you want the nail to do the talking, take a page from Tat McRae's book and opt for a nude with a statement shape like stilettos or coffins.
Nails for a Jewel-Toned Dress
Go for the drama if you're wearing a ruby, sapphire, or emerald-colored gown. "Almost-black nail colors accent the richness of a jewel-toned dress. Look for polishes in similar jewel tones as the fabric in purple, blue, or emerald. Or, if you can’t find the right match, deep red nails look great with everything. And metallic gold or silver nails will bring out the metal highlights in your dress," says Tracylee.
Nails for a Grey Dress
Wondering how to match nail polish to a neutral dress? Creamy formulas are a safe bet, as are chrome or shimmer finishes. "If you're wearing a dark, neutral color like grey or navy, try a cream opaque. You can also layer sheer metallics with a dark crème for a cool effect," says celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein. Green is a complementary color that would look super fun against a gray dress.
Nails for a Pastel Dress
“A white, shimmery look is a feminine way to complement the soft tone of a pastel dress,” says Tracylee. “Pink nails complement all pastel dresses and keep the look young and fresh. It’s a good idea to choose something a shade deeper than the dress you’re wearing. If your dress is light blue, for example, wear a deeper blue with the same undertone on your nails.”
