Nail Colours All Girls Should Own

I believe the female population can be split into two categories. Those who own too many nail polishes to count, and those who alternate between one or two (if they can find them). If you’re in the latter group and want to expand your collection, these are the colours to stock up on first.

#1 A ravishing red

Just like lippie, everyone needs a reliable red polish. If you’re not sure where to start (there are about a million on the market), narrow it down depending on your skin tone. Warmer tones usually suit more orange-based reds (think tomatoes), while cooler tones favour blue-based reds (think cherries).

essie in really red

Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Sundowner

OPI Coca-Cola Collection in Coca-Cola Red

ulta3 Nail Polish in Pepper Pot

#2 A versatile nude

By versatile, I mean you should be able to wear absolutely ANYTHING and your nude nails will still be on point. For me, that’s an opaque nude with a slight pink undertone. For others, it may be a sheer shade with brown undertones. When you find it, it’s bound to become your go-to ‘job interview’ colour.

Australis Autumn Nail Colour in Oh La Naturale

Face of Australia Colour ProNail Enamel in No Angel

L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Le Vernis The Whites Collection in Peach Negligee

Designer Brands Quick Dry Nail Polish in Creme De La Creme

#3 A perfect pink

Whether you consider yourself a girly-girl or not, you WILL end up using pink polish a lot. It’s a carefree colour that can be matched in nearly any mani-pedi combo. If you’re a little on the adventurous side, go for a bright fuschia pink. If you prefer something a little more subtle, try a candy floss shade.

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Royal Flush

Essence Colour and Go Quick Drying Nail Polish in Candy Crush

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Back to the Fuschia

ModelCo Party Proof Nail Polish in Modelco Pink

#4 A sophisticated navy

Black nails were on-trend a while ago, but the one dark hue that will never go out of style is navy. It’s a classy colour that can be worn on any given day, whether you’re going to work or heading to a party. And while black can look harsh on some skin tones, navy suits them all.

Maybelline Color Show Nail Color in Marinho

Max Factor Glossfinity in Royal Blue

CND Creative Nail Design Vinylux in Midnight Swim

Rokk96 in Hypnotic

#5 An eye-catching coral

Finding the right balance between fluro orange and sickly pink can be tricky, but the hunt for the ideal coral shade is worth it. It’s one of those colours that can be worn all year round, especially during the tricky transition periods of spring and autumn.

essie in tart deco

Sea Siren in Clownfish Conga

Intensae in Mars

CND Creative Nail Design Vinylux in Dessert Poppy

#6 A glamorous glitter top coat

Last but not least, every lady needs a glitter polish in her collection. It’s the easiest way to dress up a mani and can be added on top of any colour. Use your preference of jewellery to determine whether you’re a silver or gold glitter girl, or paint on multi-coloured sparkles if you just can’t decide!

Maybelline Color Show Nail Color in Glitter It

Mode Nail Enamel in Finders Keepers

OPI Euro Collection in Polka.com

Do you have these colours in your collection? What is your must-have nail colour?

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107 Member Comments

Dance 20 Nov 2015 5:41 PM

Navy nails look so good.

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Stresseduser 20 Nov 2015 3:04 PM

Yeah I have those colours and more....but still don't have that perfect shade lol...I only have about 400 or so polishes

Yohanna 30 Apr 2016 2:29 PM

Oh my! hahah, still looking =)

lynx 5 Nov 2015 2:30 PM

I think I would have all these in my 100 plus collection.

beauty beginer 30 Sep 2015 9:22 PM

Love Rimmel London 60 seconds best nail polish ever, have it in sky high.

quinzo 1 Sep 2015 6:59 AM

I am a sucker for a glittery topcoat!

Petal 7 Jun 2015 2:00 PM

I have a L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Vernis nail polish in Baby Doll which is lovely (pale ice pink). Unfortunately, it chips very quickly.

beauty_addict 21 Apr 2015 3:44 PM

Well, I now have a nude (love!) and I have bookmarked this as I couldn't remember what colour of red to get to suit my skin tone.

josella432 15 Apr 2015 11:50 AM

I have every colour of the rainbow bar a nude shade. Ulta3 is definitely my favourite brand for the quality and price.

GlossAddict9 15 Apr 2015 12:24 AM

Essie Madamoiselle is my must have neutral, so gorgeous and compliments all around ;)

SydneyBeautyHunter 13 Apr 2015 12:35 PM

No one needs a dirt brown beige. Hate it it's like you've not washed your hands. What about an opal white? Or perfect base coat? Or deep deep dark burgendy/red!

Miffny 12 Apr 2015 1:28 PM

Designer Brands Quick Dry Nail Polish in Creme De La Creme is my staple love it & it looks amazing on toes too.

beauty_addict 12 Apr 2015 6:40 AM

I have a lot of these colours but should consider getting a nude and a coral for sure!

vnv 11 Apr 2015 10:49 PM

I recently cleared out my nail polish stash as I had way too many I never used. I wanted to make sure I had a good range of 'staple' colours so this article is perfect timing. I need to get a great Navy polish, and a lighter nude shade. I have lots of pinks, but that Sally Hansen back to the fuchsia is pretty tempting...

Melissa Appadoo 10 Apr 2015 11:08 AM

I am a nail polish addict, and I agree with all these colours as a must, also a berry, deep purple and a turquiose are a must too

Jan52 10 Apr 2015 10:09 AM

I have most of the colours & I like them all but I must say I wear clear polish most of the time as I like the natural lookðŸ’…

dush 10 Apr 2015 9:22 AM

eye-catching coral I must own it with some glitter :)

Nikkim 10 Apr 2015 8:50 AM

Every colour looks outstanding with a glittery top coat..just saying lol! ;)

Brinsley 10 Apr 2015 5:52 AM

Oh yes! Totally in love with all of those .... gorgeous! I'm into REDS at the moment and also love the sparkly ones ... have always loved nudes ... and corals ... oh gosh ... my toes are currently green ... :D

PrettyPrincess 9 Apr 2015 12:58 AM

I'm looking for a new nude to add to my collection

Elefante 8 Apr 2015 11:32 PM

I love all the colours above!

Jessica712 7 Apr 2015 7:13 AM

Excellent suggestions for these shades.

Seashells 6 Apr 2015 10:56 PM

3rd attempt at commenting on this...

I own all these colours (even own Polka.com!), except for coral perhaps - I've got a pastel orange/coral and I have a shade that's close to coral, but it's more pink based. Orange in general is a colour I just can't do since I'm a cool-toned fair lass - I thought the same about nude for a long time too until I found one I believe I can work with. I'm now on the hunt for an opaque red since the red I own is too sheer for my liking, but I do own a gorgeous metallic red that I'm going to use this weekend.

I own most of those colours in my collection (including OPI's Polka.com), but I'm on the hunt for another red that's more opaque than the one I currently own. I do own a gorgeous metallic red though and I own a more pastel orange/coral since orange in general is a hard colour for me to pull off.

I have all/most of those colours in my collection (including OPI's Polka.com!), although I am looking for a new red shade that's opaque as opposed to the one that I own, which is more on the sheer side. I have a metallic red which I adore though.

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