Have you ever thought about painting your nails to accentuate your summer glow or bring out a bit of color in your complexion? It might sound a little random, but totally works! When you create a contrast between your skin color and the nail polish, you can instantly go from pale to sun-kissed in a matter of minutes. Just about any shade lighter than your skin tone will give a bronzed boost, but specifically there are 3 kinds of nail polishes that I can’t be without when I want to enhance my tan! I have rounded up my favorite glow-getting polishes so you can finish off summer in style 😉
NEON
I am sure that you’ve heard (if not experienced for yourself) that bright, neon colored clothing often makes people appear tanner. The same goes for nail polish! Neon anything will not only give a fun touch of color for summer, but also bring out a radiant glow. I personally love neon pink, coral, yellow, and sometimes a bold electric blue. China Glaze & ORLY have a wonderful selection of neon polishes. These colors may be a bit too “out there” for those who usually stick with neutrals – but rest assured, there are other options if neons aren’t your jam.
PASTEL
WHITE
White nail polish reminds me of my middle school days when everyone would use white-out to paint their nails in class. Did anyone else outside of my school do this? LOL! So, it took me a while to get back on board with the white nail polish trend as an adult. But, I love how extra dark it makes me look, and the good news is white goes with everything! It’s practically a neutral that’s just a bit “louder.” 😉
Are you a fan of bright nail polish colors? Let me know which are your favorites!
TianShanae
August 23, 2018I love white nail polish, especially when heading on vacation.
Sharon Wu
August 23, 2018Yes! White and off-white are so gorgeous, especially for summer vacays 🙂
tammy chen
August 23, 2018I am a big fan of pastels too! neons aren’t too much up my alley though haha like you said it can be a bit toooo loud! but I like a little bit of color 🙂 great selection babe!
Sharon Wu
August 23, 2018I totally get it haha! I like neons occasionally but I totally agree with you that it can be harder to match with everything. Pastels are a good middle ground for sure 🙂 Glad you like the selection, Tammy!
Stella
August 23, 2018LOL I totally remember those white out days! I remember that’s what I’d use because my mom wouldn’t let me paint my nails when I was younger 😂😂😂
Sharon Wu
August 23, 2018LOL GIRL me too! Those were the days hahaha
Gabi
August 23, 2018This is such a great post!! Thanks for sharing girl!
Much love,
Gabi
The Blonde Effect
Sharon Wu
August 23, 2018Thanks Gabi! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! xo
Atsuna Matsui
August 23, 2018Haha, I definitely had no idea that neon colors can actually make you look tanner! Since I’ve colored my hair darker to give my hair a break from bleaching, I instantly look paler. I’ll have to experiment with lighter nail polish colors to see if it will help me look tanner. 🙂
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Sharon Wu
August 23, 2018Omg!!! You’re so brave going back to dark after all these years of light! :O I don’t think I could go back to the dark side after spending so much time on the lighter side haha. And I do feel like the balayage blonde makes me look darker too! Hopefully you’ll like how the lighter polish colors look on you – they’ll definitely bring out a nice glow 🙂
Charmain Lee
August 23, 2018Lovin’ the lavendar polish…It’ll really go with my hair which is lilac ombre at the moment! I like having my nails done, but always seem to botch it up. Plus, I can’t seem to keep it looking nice. After a day or so, I always end up ruining them on something. :/ The pastel shade does look really gorgeous on you though! 🙂
Sharon Wu
August 23, 2018Oooohhh! I miss when I had lilac ombre hair! The lavender polish would go beautifully with your locks darling 🙂 xx
Joling
August 23, 2018I always get the neutral colors. Maybe I would try white nails next time.
xo, Joling
http://lovejoling.com/
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018You totally should! I know you’ll rock a white mani 🙂 xx
Ivana Split
August 23, 2018I love neon, pastel and white nail-polishes. I totally agree with you. They’re perfect for improving our tan.
modaodaradosti
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018Hehe so glad you think so too darling! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend xoxo
Rachel Vogt
August 23, 2018Aww yes, I love wearing pastel colors nail polish to enhance my tan. This lilac color looks so good on you.
xoxo, Rachel
http://rachelvogttrends.com
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018Thanks Rachel! 🙂 xx
Christine Kong
August 23, 2018I actually love all these polish brands! I typically go with white in summer and you’re right they definitely make a tan pop! I haven’t tried neon (too much color for me lol). My typical colors are nude, white, and red. xoxo, Christine
https://dailykongfidence.com/
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018White always looks so good on you babe! Yeah, I totally understand that neon can be a bit out there for some people haha. I personally prefer pastels this season!
Cris
August 24, 2018I love pastels in the summer! I am not a big fan of neons, but still I should give them a try.
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018Pastels are the perfect middle ground! Haha 😉
Scott Gombar
August 24, 2018I will share this with my wife. She typically gets her nails done locally but once in a while she does her own nails.
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018Thank you for sharing, Scott! xx
Nicole
August 24, 2018I’ve definitely used neon before to make me look tanner, and I recently bought a new white and haven’t used it yet but thanks for the reminder!
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018Oooohhh how exciting! I love new nail polish haha 🙂 have fun darling!
Alison
August 24, 2018I love pastels and also neon on occasion. I never knew that some colours made you look more tanned, thanks for the tip!
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018We learn something new everyday! Haha 🙂 Thanks for reading darling!
Taylor Mobley
August 24, 2018I love white polish. It looks so chic!
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018It really does!
Deborah
August 24, 2018Oh wow, I actually have that exact nail polish you’re wearing! Pastel shades are my absolute favorite to play up a tan!
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018Omg it’s sooooo good lol I love how long lasting it is, and it’s literally the perfect shade of lilac lol
Briana
August 24, 2018Polish is a huge help if you want to look tan! Great color choice!
Briana
https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/
Sharon Wu
August 24, 2018I’m glad you think so too, Briana! Have a wonderful weekend xoxo
Tonya Tardiff
August 24, 2018You are spot on! White on my toes has been my go-to polish this summer.
Sharon Wu
August 25, 2018Yes! Great choice, Tonya! xoxo
Julia Comil
August 24, 2018I love the zoya color you recommended! It totally enhance the tan!! Love it!
Sharon Wu
August 25, 2018Thanks Julia! xx
Frank
August 24, 2018The Zoya polish looks great. I especially love the color!
Sharon Wu
August 25, 2018Thank you Frank! Have a great weekend!
Christa
August 24, 2018I love the white polishes. They are so fresh and sophisticated.
Sharon Wu
August 25, 2018They really are! Love that it goes with anything too 🙂
Catherine Santiago Jose
August 24, 2018I am not a fan of any nail polish but this one looks really beautiful I will share this with my sister and I am sure she will like it.
Sharon Wu
August 25, 2018Thank you for sharing, Catherine!
Puja
August 25, 2018Good observation! I like pastel shades but love neon shades for vacations.
Sharon Wu
August 25, 2018Yes! I loved wearing neon polish on my last trip to Cabo haha so fitting!
Elizabeth O
August 25, 2018This is a really interesting post. I like that you provided tips on what works with a tan. I really like pastel colours personally!
Sharon Wu
August 25, 2018Thank you Elizabeth! So glad you enjoyed the post. I am a big fan of pastels myself too!
Emily Leary
August 25, 2018I don’t often wear nail polish but I really love those pastel shades, especially now that I actually have a little bit of a tan!
Sharon Wu
August 25, 2018Haha I haven’t been without polish in a while! Gotta love those pastels for summer 🙂
Turtle
August 25, 2018I love wearing pastels on my dark skin, it always pops
Sharon Wu
August 26, 2018Yes! So glad you find this trick helpful too!
Roxci
August 25, 2018I’m a sucker for white and nude colored polish colors. They just look so classy.
http://www.signedbyroxci.com
Sharon Wu
August 26, 2018They will never go out of style – that’s for sure!
Ifeoluwa
August 26, 2018I love wearing bright colors depends on my mood! I got yellow recently! Love the lavender
Sharon Wu
August 27, 2018So glad to hear that, babe! I can always count on bright colors to brighten up my mood hehe
Samatha Mariko
August 26, 2018I love all these pretty nail polish colors1 You can never go wrong with white no matter what color your skin is 🙂
xo Samantha
http://www.samanthamariko.com
Sharon Wu
August 27, 2018Thanks Samantha! Yes, white is a gorgeous nail color on anybody!
Jessica
August 26, 2018Loving the pastels, those are really sweet shades. Thanks for sharing dear!
Jessica notjessfashion.com
Sharon Wu
August 27, 2018Thanks Jessica! Glad you like them!
Shannon
August 27, 2018I’m always a little hesitant to wear neon nail polish but I love pastels and I definitely notice that I look a bit tanner!
Sharon Wu
August 27, 2018Pastels are my jam right now too! Haha 🙂
Jenn Hanft
August 28, 2018Ahhh I completely agree with you! Neon, white, and pastel are definitely the top colors to bring out that tan 😉 I’d have to say that I’m not a huge fan of neon because it gets distracting to myself LOL. I do like white! But I looooove pastel a lot more and this lavender color you’re wearing is RIGHT up my alley! Lavender, shades of blue, olive, and grays are my favorite nail color tones! I actually recently got a mani (after FOREVER) and it’s in dark charcoal gray for fall 🙂
With love, Jenn
https://jubilantdose.com
Sharon Wu
August 29, 2018Haha I know what you mean! I haven’t really worn neons this summer but last summer I did! The neon pink can be quite distracting sometimes but I love how it brings out my tan. This year, I’ve been wearing lots of pastels! So pretty hehe <3 Charcoal grey sounds amazing and perfect for fall... but we are far from fall in Palm Springs still, so I'm still rocking my summer colors lol
marcy
September 7, 2018hahaha this is so funny because I totally do this too lol!! However I always choose like white or like a peachy color because I think makes me look more tan lol I specially love the White from Nars is totally my favorite.
Sharon Wu
September 8, 2018I need to pick up the white NARS polish next time I come across it! Hehe glad you enjoy white nail polish – it does really make a tan pop!