4 Nail Colors That Look Great On People With Cool Undertones

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If your skin tone keeps it cool, you'll know how tough it can be to find nail polish colors that don't wash your hands and toes out. It can be even tougher to find your perfect shade if you're not sure about your undertone — but we've got you covered. If you have veins that appear blue or purple and skin with a pink-ish tone that can burn easily in the sun, your undertone is more than likely cool. Just remember that cooler undertones aren't only found in people with fairer skin, nor will your undertone change if you become more tan.

Now we've got that cleared up, just like we can use color theory to tailor our makeup to our skin tone, we can do the same with our nail polishes. "If you have a cool undertone in your skin then you pick a cool undertone in your polish," Suzie Moskal, founder of Nail Career Education confirms to Women.com, exclusively. "If you pick something that's the opposite, you stop the flow and it seems abrupt and it doesn't have any harmony," she adds. So, with that in mind, from cherry reds to frosty pinks, these are the nail colors you should consider adding to your regular rotation for the most flattering manicure or pedicure.

Whenever you're looking to rock a classic red manicure, Suzie Moskal suggests reaching for a cherry red or similar reds with blue undertones. Red polishes with orange undertones, such as tomato reds, aren't the most flattering on cool undertoned people because the orange can become exaggerated. Orange can pull out any redness in the skin and make it appear duller at the same time. Instead, try OPI RapiDry Quick Dry Nail Polish in Skip a Beet or ZOYA Red Nail Polish in Cherri, which both have bluer undertones to help brighten the skin.

If you're unsure if the red nail polish you're trying has a blue undertone, ask yourself; Does it have a deep, rich, quality? Is it closer to pink than orange? If yes, it's probably a blue-tone red. The best part of having a cherry red in your collection is that red manicures and pedicures never truly go out of style, so once you've found the one for you, you'll be set for years to come. We have plenty of ideas for putting a fun twist on classic red nails too.

If you prefer your manicure or pedicure shade to be a little darker, try navy blue. Being a member of the blue family, navy has the blue undertones we know are flattering on cool undertone skin, but it's more mature and sophisticated than lighter blues, like sky blues or neons. Navy is particularly perfect for the cooler months, such as autumn and winter, and can look seriously striking (in a good way) if you have fair cool skin because of the high contrast it creates.

Essie's Expressie Quick Dry Nail Polish in Feel The Hype will compliment cool undertones and claims to dry fast, so it's perfect for those who don't have hours to spend on their manicure or pedicure. OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish in Havin' A Candy Ol' Time will also give the crispness that compliments cool undertones. If you're in a store and looking for the perfect navy, Suzie Moskal suggests placing it against your skin before buying to check your compatibility. "See if it compliments it or fights it," she says, exclusively.

Though many people with cool undertones think light nail polish shades should be avoided because they'll wash them out, that's just not true. Sure, an icy, frosty pink may not create a dramatic contrast against your fingers or toes, but because it matches and harmonizes with cool undertones it can actually brighten the skin and create a subtle glow. The best part? Subtle pinks are super versatile and can be worn any season with any outfit, so it's a great color for those busier times when you have a few big events to attend. They're delicate too, so ideal for those who like more subtle, feminine manis and pedis.

MIZHSE's Pearlescent Pink Nail Polish in Pearl Pink will provide that delicate glow thanks to its shimmery finish. Nails Inc's It's Topless in Kat will also catch the light in a subtle, classy way. It could even be used as a top coat over another cool toned pink polish if you're looking for a little more color.

Greens can also be flattering on skin with cooler undertones, because they tap into the jewel tone color family that's so complimentary on cool toned skin. Londontown's Velvet Drapes is a cool sage green that will look gorgeous against cool undertones, while Essie Nail Polish in Caught In The Rain is a similarly muted hue that those who prefer natural, neutral shades, but with a little color, will love. Cool greens are soft and sophisticated, but not so warm they'll fight against the skin's cool undertones.

Just remember that choosing the perfect green, or any nail polish shade for that matter, doesn't have to be exclusionary. "If you see a color you like on someone else and then you try it [and] it doesn't look good on you, it's simply the undertones are not working together," Suzie Moskal exclusively tells Women.com of how to pick your perfect shade. "You can still get that color, just find that color with [a] cool tone," she adds. For when you want to pick a new polish shade in a rush or without having to think too much, we've also rounded up the best pedicure colors for a universally flattering look.