Alyssa Bueno
Every color tells a story, and each stroke casts something beautiful, like a memory painted in motion. True artistry comes when one expresses creativity without limitations. In our industry, there’s no doubt that nail technicians have a sharp eye for color and design.
But have you ever caught yourself stuck in a loop, using the same patterns and palettes? Sure, your current roster of nail designs gets the job done, but deep down, there’s a part of you itching to explore and take your creativity to the next level. Aha! Good thing you found this blog–reignite that spark and find joy in discovering nail color combinations and nail art designs that embrace all hues.
Color Theory
We have definitely heard of Color Theory and the Color Wheel before. To give you a recap, it is the study of how colors interact and affect each other. This shows complementary colors (opposite each other on the color wheel), which creates a bold, high-contrast look when paired, analogous colors (next to each other on the color wheel) that result in a more harmonious and subtle impression, and triadic colors (evenly spaced around the color wheel) like red, yellow, and blue, adding vibrant, playful element to your design. The color wheel provides not only those color schemes, but it also presents the hue, saturation, and value.
Seasonal Colors
If you’ve been scrolling through your FYP recently, you’ve probably seen the seasonal color analysis filter. This process identifies an individual's natural color palette based on their skin tone (cool, warm, neutral undertone), hair color, and eye color, and matches it to one of the four seasons. There are three sub-categories for each main season: True, Light, and Deep. Knowing your season will help you pick polishes, jewelry, clothing, makeup, and other items that enhance your features. Check out the best nail shades for you based on seasonal color analysis.
Color Family/Palette
Using colors from the same family is like telling a beautiful color story. Color families or color palettes consist of thoughtfully chosen color groups that create a visually pleasing harmony. These shades are commonly selected to establish a particular feeling or emotion, convey a message, and reflect different seasons or events. Five of the most popular color schemes are Neutrals, Pastels, Neons, Jewels, and Metallics.
1. Make or look at swatches
The easiest way to check if your client’s chosen colors complement each other is through color charts or swatches. Most nail collections come with a ready-made color chart that you can quickly show to your clients. If you want to have a better view of how the colors look side by side, you can also create a swatch on the spot. This not only helps with color matching; it lets you check if the polish is still in good condition before you move forward.
2. Test your color perception in different lighting
Lighting plays a big role in how we see color. Depending on the room or the type of light, a shade can look completely different. Your perception of any color can change, especially with temperature-changing polishes. It’s important to double-check colors under different lighting if you have a client who is particular about getting the perfect match.
3. Know the base color, detail color, and accent color
Once you’ve picked your colors, assign which one will be the base color, detail color, and accent color. The base color is the one you’ll apply first, covering most of the nail. The detail color is used for your nail art or any complementary design, while the accent color adds contrast and makes the whole set pop. Remember that shades with similar brightness or intensity usually go well together. Glitter polishes and mixed metals are great for that extra flair.
4. Choose a finish
After you’ve completed your set, it’s time for the finishing touch. You can choose a no-wipe top coat like iGel No Cleanse Top Coat for a quick, glossy finish, or go for the smooth, velvety texture of iGel Matte Top Coat. Pro Tip: If you want to mix matte and glossy on the same nail, try using the same base and detail color to keep the design looking cohesive and stylish.
• Solid
Choosing one nail color for the entire set gives a minimalist look.
• Marble
Swirly, veined look that creates an effect similar to natural marble stone.
• Alternating
An alternate nail technique helps feature different colors or design concepts in one set.
• French
Modernize this classic manicure style by adding colorful tips to your nude-based nails.
• Accent
Add a unique touch to your nails with accent nails, usually on the middle and/or index finger.
• Skittles
Each nail is painted a different color, making a playful look similar to Skittles or a rainbow.
• Ombré/Gradient
When multiple colors blend to create a smooth, transitioning effect, that’s the ombré or gradient style.
• Aura
Resembling a dreamy, halo effect, Aura nails are inspired by the glow or aura surrounding a person.
• Animal Print
Incorporate the patterns and colors of various animals like leopards, zebras, snakes, and crocodiles for a bold and eye-catching appearance.
• Nail Art Combination
The possibilities are endless when it comes to colors. You can effortlessly mix and match two or more nail art techniques like this set that merges ombre with French.
• Your Nail Collections
Sometimes, just glancing at a wall full of nail polishes can spark new ideas. Shades from the same collection usually pair well together, making color mixing and matching easier.
• Beauty and Fashion Trends
Beauty and fashion always go hand in hand. A trending blush shade or a fun Y2K outfit can set the next big thing in nail designs.
• Paintings or Murals
The textures and brushstrokes from paintings or murals can heavily influence a nail set. Feel free to recreate a scene or draw details based on any art form.
• Home Furnishing/Improvement Stores
Home improvement stores like Home Depot are great places to find color swatches and popular color palettes. It might sound odd and silly at first, but this trick surprisingly works for some nail techs.
• Nail Techs or Nail Brands Social Media
Social media is still one of the easiest ways to discover new nail color combos. Our Instagram page: @igelbeauty, for example, is packed with color swatches and nail tutorials ready for you to explore.
• Anything with colorful patterns
There are no strict rules; your canvas, your rules. Whether it’s abstract art, nature, furniture, or fabrics, anything with color can literally be your inspiration for your nails. It’s all about letting your creativity and nail artistry flow freely.
Coco Chanel once said, “The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.” With this guide on mixing and matching nail colors, you can widen your artistic capabilities and enjoy the creative process of performing nail art. Make the world a brighter and cuter place, one post at a time, in our iGel Beauty Facebook Community. Immerse yourself in the spectrum of colors!
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