There’s no panic quite like the one you experience when sat in the salon chair with a sea of nail polish colour options before you… Do you stick to your classic favourites? Try something new? Mix and match a few different shades? Or experiment with nail art? The options are endless and sometimes it’s a whole lot easier if someone decides for you.
One way to prepare for your next manicure appointment is to brush up on the most popular nail colours of the year. You can pretty much guarantee that if it’s trending then a) your salon will have the shade available and b) the result will be majorly Instagram-worthy. We’re almost halfway through 2023, so we’ve got a pretty good idea of what the year’s most popular nail colours are so far—and we’ve also called in the experts to find out which nail colours are the most-requested in salons right now.
To save you the stress of a last minute panic choice at your next mani appointment, we spoke to nail artists Ashleigh Bamber and Rose Tuckerfor their verdict on the most popular nail colours of 2023, and the results are officially in…
“Coral nails seem to trend every spring and summer, and 2023 is proving to be no exception,” says Bamber. “It’s a surprisingly versatile colour choice because it works well for and flatters all skin tones.” If you have cool-toned skin, Bamber recommends choosing a coral which leans a little pink, whereas if you’re more warm-toned, she advises using an orange-toned coral.
Nailberry is always one stop ahead of the trends when it comes to colour. They have several corals to choose from, but we particularly love this muted, orange-hued one.
If you’re after a pink-toned coral, OPI have got the perfect polish for you.
“I’ve had a lot of clients requesting a specific shade from Glossify, called Amalfi,” says Tucker. “It’s a gorgeous electric blue—the perfect holiday colour for fingers and toes.” If blue isn’t typically your colour, or you’re not normally into bold, bright shades, Tucker recommends trying this colour out as a French tip.
Deep, bright, and extremely eye-catching, it’s easy to see why this colour is so popular right now.
This slightly more muted bright blue from MyLee is one of Bamber’s most requested shades. “My clients love this shade for a French tip or accent nail,” she adds.
“Lilac has been a popular colour choice for spring 2023 and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere,” says Tucker. “I definitely think this shade is the new version of ‘millennial pink’. It’s really popular with younger clients in particular, who often ask to pair it with a classic red or lime green.”
This muted lilac is perfect for pairing with a strong, brighter pop of colour.
Essie’s Lilacism is one of the brand’s most iconic shades. It’s subtle and (no matter what your skin tone) super flattering.
“Black and white nail art designs are all over my Instagram feed right now,” says Bamber, and in the last few weeks I’ve noticed more clients sending me these kinds of designs for inspo.” Not only do black and white designs really stand out, but there’s no worry of any colour clash when it comes to your outfit choices. “I’ve noticed these colours being paired in checkerboard, zebra print, and geometric designs,” adds Bamber. “It’s a great way to experiment with nail art if you’re not into colourful nails.”
If black and white nails are something you want to try out at home, but nail art isn’t your forte, this press-on set makes things a whole lot easier.
Another fun and foolproof way to DIY this trend? Paint your nails with a white base then get creative with this handy nail art pen.
“Bright and neon shades are starting to creep back in as the weather warms up and clients begin to book in holidays,” explains Tucker. “However, I have noticed that this year these shades are more popular within nail art designs rather than as one solid colour.”
If one bright and eye-catching neon polish isn’t enough for you, try three. We love that this set also includes a neutral shade to create contrasting designs.
The brightest, zestiest, most vibrant neon nail polish we could find…
“Natural shades may not seem fun or interesting but they are probably my most popular requests at the moment,” says Tucker. “Either on their own, with a little nail art, or with a very subtle chrome finish—it’s basically your nails but better.” “I think the reason they’re so popular is that it’s less noticeable growing out than a bold colour, they’re semi-sheer so cover any imperfections on the natural nail, and of course they’re a great base for nail art while still keeping things fairly neutral,” she adds.
MyLee has a number of different neutral builder gel shades, catering to every skin tone.
Of course, this effect is still possible to achieve with non-gel nail polish. Look for neutral colours with a high-shine finish.
