Best Non Toxic Nail Salon in Houston

Think beyond your black, home-polished manicure. No matter the nail shape you like, a plain base polish can be surprisingly easy to tame and stand out. Here are some tips for a fresh look that still looks polished—and will help you set the scene for your outfit.

“Start with a ‘clean slate’ by removing any nail polish. Then brush up your nail art with a light coat of peachy color, like Fakeolino’s Bright Blue Monday. Add this color to your nail base with the color sponges that come with your manicure kit,” suggests Tigi, maker of CHICK2, a long-lasting (and affordable) nail lacquer that comes in 14 colors.

We love the black of this manicure.

Not a fan of black? The perfect alternative for using the peachy nail color—with a bit of an off-white undertone—is to go for shades of pale pink with a slight blue undertone. Opt for the two shades (Innovative Nail Art by Rae C, below, or Rainbow Nail Game, above) that match each other to create a peach color.

Don’t succumb to the temptation to stick with your black nail polish. The pinks and pinks you choose for the darker shades of dark nail polish or the olives you wear with your brighter shades on top will often pop.

“You can wash or buff your polish out with a cotton swab to give your nails extra strength. Two sponges—one for your nails and the other for your fingertips—will make this easy,” suggests Deborah Lippmann.

Nail lacquer goes with any outfit. We like the soft, textured look in this deep teal.

Nothing says bold like a coral accent.

“The holiday season was a good time to nail this classic, over-the-top color, as it was perfect for really strong patterns,” says Becky Stern of Natural Nails. Stern’s experts used Peachy Cabana, pictured above, which has hints of peach, blue and gold.

If you’re afraid to get it wrong, a muted neutral can often do the trick. Natural Nails’ Deep Blue Pearl employs a multicolored, neutral base, then bleaches in nude and can be poured into anything from wedges to dresses and scarves.