Beauty & Body

Lavish Looks for Less: The Best Luxury-Looking Nail Colors on a Budget

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Are you looking for luxury nail colors on a budget? You can still get stunning nail colors without breaking the bank, but you must know where to look. Many affordable nail polish brands offer shades similar in quality to luxury ones.

This guide has everything you need to know to get lavish looks for less. Keep reading to find your next favorite nail color!

1. Neutral Colors

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

First, neutral colors are some of the best choices for nails. They look luxurious and clean and can mimic more expensive brands. Neutral colors are not on the color wheel and can include beiges, browns, whites, grays, and blacks.

Regarding nails, soft pinks, light grays, and browns are the most luxurious. White nails can also be stunning, making your manicure look polished. These colors can also look beautiful with any outfit you put together since they won’t clash.

Revlon, Sally Hansen, and Essie offer plenty of neutral colors. You’ll want to think about your skin tone to choose a neutral color that looks the best on you.

Essie, in particular, is an excellent choice for nude nail polishes. One of the brand’s best-selling shades is Ballet Slippers— a beautiful soft, sheer, glossy pink. It doesn’t add much color to your nails, but it still brings luxury to mind.

In fact, even the Queen of England loves this shade by Essie. You also could have royal nails if you choose this nail color.

2. Iconic Red Shades

Next, red nails always exude luxury. You can also find plenty of different reds, so you’ll want to consider what shades will look the best with your skin’s undertones.

For those with fair skin, you’ll want to choose a bright crimson since it will contrast with your skin tone nicely, according to Allure. Medium skin tones look best with reds that have shimmering gold undertones. And lastly, dark skin looks lovely paired with rich burgundies.

Wet n Wild, Essie, L’Oréal, and Sally Hansen have some luxurious red shades to pick from. If you’re looking for halal nail polish, Zahara would be the best brand to search for reds. Zahara also offers a breathable red that looks gorgeous on everyone called War Paint.

This red shade is very flattering and is even vegan. It’s a bold, iconic, empowering red shade you’ll want to try soon.

3. Classic Black Nails

Next, painting your nails black can look very chic. Since most black polishes are very glossy, they look luxurious and high-end. Plus, you can find quality black nail polishes from many affordable brands, including OPI.

OPI’s Onyx shade is stunning. Adding a clear coat over the top for more shine can make it look even more luxurious.

Overall, black nails look stylish, bold, and edgy. Many people feel that this color makes them more confident. Black nail colors also have the benefit of matching all of your outfits.

4. Shiny Metallic Shades

Metallic shades, such as silver and gold, can be incredibly luxurious. These colors have shimmering elements to them, making them eye-catching. These nail colors mimic precious metals and jewelry, which we associate with wealth and luxury. 

These shades are also reflective, making them eye-catching. Everyone is sure to notice when you have shimmering metallic nails. These colors are versatile, so they can look good with various outfits.

Essie, OPI, and Sinful Colors are all affordable brands offering beautiful metallic shades. You can find plenty of trendy shades through one of them. So, if you’re looking for subtle extravagance with your nails, something metallic and glossy would be the way to go.

5. Deep Blue Nails

Deep blue nails, especially jewel tones like navy, royal blue, and sapphire, can be incredibly luxurious. Much like metallic shades, we associate blues like this with wealth and extravagance.

Just about any drugstore nail polish you can find has gorgeous blues to choose from. Wet n Wild is one such brand, and it’s very affordable.

These colors can appear regal and timeless. They’re versatile and can make any outfit look much more elegant. Many people also feel that the color blue is relaxing to look at, so you may feel calmer when wearing these shades.

6. Sophisticated Oranges

Photo by Lazar Gugleta on Unsplash

While orange might not be the first color we think of when we hear the word “luxury,” you can still make your nails look sophisticated with it. You’ll want to make sure that you choose an orange that’s rich and deep, such as terracotta, dark coral, or burnt orange. These colors can look gorgeous on darker skin tones.

Then, ensure you finish the nails with a glossy top coat to achieve a luxurious look. You’ll also want to pair them with gold accessories. A simple design can take your orange nails to the next level too. Try adding minimal stripes and geometric shapes to your nails to make them stand out.

Some brands you’ll want to check out include Essie and Sally Hansen. In particular, Sally Hansen’s Spice Age is beautiful. It’s also a gel polish with a sleek, shiny finish that exudes extravagance. 

If you love fall colors, then make sure to check out the orange shades when searching for luxury nail polish!

7. Rich Purple Shades

Purple nails can be very sophisticated, elegant, and dramatic. We associate this color with magic, royalty, and creativity, so it’s sure to look impressive. You’ll want to try deep eggplant tones, berry shades, and amethyst.

All of these colors are highly luxurious and eye-catching. You can also find purples that suit every skin tone, so you’ll surely find one you love.

Many brands have luxurious purple nails too. Wet n Wild has Plum Fiction and Grape Minds Think Alike. Sinful Colors has Let’s Talk, and Revlon has Passionate and Divine. You can find more purple nail shades that won’t drain your wallet.

Luxury Doesn’t Need To Be Expensive

Photo by allison christine on Unsplash

As you can see, luxurious nail colors don’t need to be expensive. See what you can find in drugstores near you; you might be surprised!

If you’re unsure what to choose, try neutral, classic red, or black nails. These colors are flattering on everyone and popular, so you can find them in more affordable brands.

Feature photo by Lazar Gugleta on Unsplash.

About the author

Gianna Brighton