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8 Must-Wear Nail Colors That Flatter Dark Skin Tones

Your cheat sheet to the stunning summer nail colors that complement dark skin
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Purple Reigns
Every spring and summer, shades of purple take over the runways, and this year was no different. The color of the year, after all, is radiant orchid. Naya Rivera's rosy tan skin tone has warm, almost orange undertones to it. For these peachy complexions, Edwards says to look for blue-based hues, such as deep mauves or purples. She used Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in Hide and Sleek to get the dark purple nails at Zac Posen's F/W 2014 fashion show. Another favorite -- Berry Contrary.

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Find Your Perfect Red
Nothing quite says summer like the classic red nail. According to Schuetz, in people with warm skin tones, red, burgundy, plum or wine colors are very neutralizing and will counteract any ruddiness or imperfections in the skin. To choose the right shade of red for your skin tone, Edwards says to hold the bottle against your skin. "The color should highlight your skin tone, adding richness instead of looking dull."

(Pictured is Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Lacquer in Roulette Rush and Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour Nail Lacquer in Portobello Plum.)

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Blue Notes
From aqua fresh to indigo to baby, blues are everywhere this season. That's great news for warm skin tones like Shakira's. Women with her light golden complexion should avoid nail polishes with similar yellow undertones, because they can make your skin look jaundiced, says Scheutz. Happily, blue nail polishes are on the opposite side of the color wheel. Our editors love JINsoon Nail Polish in Blue Iris and Cool Blue.

You would think picking out a nail polish color would be as simple as putting on your shoes in the morning (you know, once you've decided which pair you're going to wear). But finding a nail polish color that will flatter your skin tone, appear on-trend and keep your hands from looking dull or aged -- that's the challenge. We spoke to Elsbeth Schuetz, celebrity manicurist for Nailtini, and celebrity and editorial manicurist Gina Edwards on how to find the nail color that's right for you.
BY HAYLEY MASON | JUL 21, 2014 | SHARES
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