2 Manicure & Pedicure Colors That Look Good On Any Skin Tone

When you book an appointment at the nearest nail salon, you likely already have a shade in mind for both your manicure and pedicure. Whether you're thinking of nail trends that will dominate 2026 or interested in a chrome nail design, the possibilities seem endless. But it might surprise you to learn that finding the right shade that looks flattering for your skin tone is part of what makes a nail look pop. To delve further into which nail colors complement all skin tones, Women spoke to celebrity manicurist Sonya Meesh for their unparalleled expertise. 

According to Meesh, there's a crucial first step that's non-negotiable when deciding which color works for you outside of these universally complementary nail shades. "Knowing your undertone is imperative to avoid having your skin look dull and sickly," Meesh exclusively shares with us, before warning further, "It particularly shows in pedicure colors because our feet can receive less circulation, emphasizing a dull complexion." 

There are different methods to nailing your undertone, such as the jewelry test to determine whether gold or silver jewelry looks best against your skin. But if you find it too complicated to know for certain, then take a look at these universally flattering nail shades.

In Meesh's estimation, one of the best shades that goes with everyone's skin tone is a light milky color. From white to nude or even a light dusky pink, this means you can pull off either milk nails or soap nails, which are the ultimate minimalist manicure trend. The latter has already proven a big hit with celebs like Lindsay Lohan and is a nail look that easily goes with any outfit. "Any sheer milky white and milky pink work universally because they brighten up the nail plate and are a great "natural" option," Meesh detailed exclusively with Women. 

And our resident nail expert has tried-and-true recommendations if you'd rather execute a nail look with this shade from home. Manucurist's Natural Nail Polish in either 'Milky Pink' (also available in a gel formula) or 'Active Smooth 00' is the perfect universal shade, with DND's Tea-Time #870 being a more affordable option that's also high quality. From exuding luxury and a "clean girl" aesthetic, you're getting the best of both worlds.

If you lean more towards darker shades, then going for dark browns or even a rich burgundy color is the best fit. These classy shades are the epitome of luxury and would only serve to elevate your entire outfit to a level ideal for the glossy pages of a fashion magazine. "Rich, deep tones like dark brown or a deep burgundy are universal in my opinion because they provide enough contrast to the nail plate spanning a wide rage of complexions," Meesh to use exclusively. 

This versatile shade is perfect to herald fall while also being suitable for the coming winter. To get you started, Meesh highly recommends using Manucurist's Natural Nail Polish in 'Dark Pansy' for a burgundy touch or Dazzle Dry's Nail Lacquer in 'Haze' for an alluring mocha brown. And if you want to go a step further, ask your nail tech for the Bordeaux nail trend making waves online, one that screams high class, elegance, and sophistication. Truly, what could be better?