"Unconventional Shades for Nail Art that Surprisingly Work Well"
Looking to spice up your nail game with some unexpected choices? Step aside from convention and embrace the unconventional! Here's a roundup of our favorite "ugly" nail colors that will turn heads, whether you're strolling down the street or sashaying on the red carpet.
Lily Nguyen, celebrity manicurist and founder of Labo Beauté Salon, and Evelyn Lim, chief educator at MiniLuxe's Paintbox studio, share their top picks for those daring enough to rock the unexpected.
Mustard Yellow
For a contrarian twist on the trendy butter yellow, go bold with mustard yellow. This shade may seem dull or outdated, but it exudes a rich, retro charm that pairs beautifully with warm skin tones. Nguyen suggests fashioning it as a vintage-chic aesthetic, especially in fall and earthy-toned outfits.
Creamy Brown
Brown? Yes, really! Mocha Mousse, Pantone's 2025 color of the year, is a testament to the unexpected charm of warm browns. Lim encourages adding this unique color to your rotation of nude shades, pairing it with long stiletto or coffin nails and a matte top coat for a daring look.
Slate Gray
A chic and eye-catching option, slate gray manicures defy conventional rules. Despite its lack of color, it offers a striking alternative to the neutrals we typically see. Try it with a super glossy topcoat or a matte finish to create a void-like effect.
Cabbage Green
Not your typical green, this murky, sickly hue takes on an avant-garde, edgy appearance on nails. Nguyen describes it as having a grunge meets high fashion vibe, making it perfect for those who crave something bold yet sophisticated.
Greige
Greige, a combination of gray and beige, creates an effortlessly chic and Parisian-cool energy. It complements both warm and cool skin tones and is the perfect choice for a low-key, yet elevated look.
Mauve
Mauve, a mashup of muted pink and soft purple with a touch of gray, is often overlooked for being too muted or old-fashioned. But this "ugly" nail polish color shines on nails, providing a low-key chic and versatile look.
Burnt Orange
Burnt orange, often dismissed as outdated, can transform into a bold and beautiful shade on fingertips. Nguyen recommends rust, terracotta, and deep brown shades, which bring warmth and richness to nails, creating a cozy yet modern look, especially when used in a glossy finish.
Moss Green
Ditch the bright verdant green for moss green, an earthy and grungy alternative that complements spring outfits beautifully and provides a unique change from pastel shades.
These so-called "ugly" nail colors may seem unconventional, but with the right styling, they can make a bold and unexpected statement that's sure to turn heads.
- Lilly Nguyen, a renowned celebrity manicurist and founder of Labo Beauté Salon, suggests embracing mustard yellow for a contrarian take on the trendy butter yellow, praising its rich, retro charm that pairs brilliantly with warm skin tones.
- Evelyn Lim, the chief educator at MiniLuxe's Paintbox studio, encourages adding mocha mousse, Pantone's 2025 color of the year, to your nail care routine as a unique twist on nude shades, suggesting long stiletto or coffin nails and a matte top coat for a daring look.
- Slate gray manicures, according to Lim, defy conventional rules and offer a striking alternative to typical neutrals, especially when paired with a super glossy topcoat or a matte finish to create a captivating void-like effect.
- If you're craving something bold yet sophisticated, consider cabbage green, a murky, sickly hue with a grunge meets high fashion vibe, as recommended by Nguyen.
- Greige, a stylish combination of gray and beige, provides an effortlessly chic and Parisian-cool energy, complementing both warm and cool skin tones for a low-key yet elevated look.
- Mauve, a muted pink and soft purple hue with a touch of gray, often dismissed as too muted or old-fashioned, can create a low-key chic and versatile look on hands and feet when used as a nail polish color.
- Burnt orange shades, such as rust, terracotta, and deep brown, can transform into bold and beautiful options on fingertips, bringing warmth and richness to nails while maintaining a modern vibe, especially when applied in a glossy finish, as suggested by Nguyen.
- Ditching bright verdant green for moss green offers an earthy and grungy alternative that complements spring outfits beautifully and provides a unique change from pastel shades, adding a touch of style to your fashion-and-beauty lifestyle.
