18 Most Popular Nail Colors of 2023 — Prettiest Nail Polish Shades

By Jesa Marie Calaor, KATHLEEN SUICO, Angela Trakoshis, and Jihan Forbes

Manicures are so much more than just colorful fingertips. They're a means of self-expression, self-care, and joy — that is, if you can ever decide on a nail polish color.

Picking out a shade among the wide array of options you're faced with at your local nail salon, beauty-supply store, drugstore, or beauty boutique can prove to be no easy feat. After all, you could be faced with a wall filled with not only hundreds of hues but lots of finish options, like rich cremes, high-shine glitters, and statement mattes.

Remember, it all comes down to your personal preferences at that moment and what you think will make you happiest when you look down at your hands for the next week or two. But if you're still not sure what color to try next and you're looking for inspiration for where to begin, we've pulled together a guide to the best nail polish colors of all time with options from prestige, drugstore, and indie brands — all curated by top editorial nail artists such as Rita Remark, Mar y Sol Inzerillo, Miss Pop, and more.

Whether you're looking for the blackest black like Essie's Licorice or summer nail colors like a vibrant pink neon — we got you covered. Read on to find your new favorite shade.

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We don't care what season it is — Essie's Licorice works for them all. Remark (who works with the brand) agrees. "This is my go-to black: pure, undiluted, and densely pigmented," she says.

A cherry red with blue undertones, like Chanel Le Vernis in Pirate, is both sophisticated and eye-catching. "I can't count the number of times this color was worn on the red carpet," says Los Angeles-based manicurist and nail polish brand owner Mazz Hanna, whose celebrity clients often request this shade.

New York City-based manicurist Anna Miles is a big fan of Jin Soon's Green Clay and its olive tone. It's a bit of an unexpected neutral — it still goes with everything but is different from your typical beige.

Defy and Inspire Bridezilla is Inzerillo's pick for the sultriest deep-red manicure. The high-shine formula makes nails look healthy and it matches perfectly with a full glass of your favorite merlot.

Los Angeles-based manicurist Mimi D loves Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Polish in Instant Coffee. It's the color of an iced latte for your nails. The neutral hue comes in a quick-drying formula that delivers some serious pigment with every swipe.

We hope we weren't the only teens who painted their nails with Wite-Out. Essie's Blanc is the perfect nail-safe replacement for it. "This is your best bet for a highly-pigmented and opaque white," says manicurist Betina Goldstein.

Nail artist Savannah Walker rarely works with traditional nail polish these days (her highly-detailed masterpieces call for gel and other pro materials), but she's still fond of OPI Nail Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp. Walker calls it "hot red" — a little more coral than a true cherry shade, making it an equally bright but not as predictable option.

Looking for a true dark green? "Paintbox Like Wild actually reads green from afar — many greens are too bright or read black," says Julie Kandalec, a nail artist based in New York City. Near or far, people will envy you over this hue.

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We like to think of black nail polish as we do a nude, red, or light pink. It's a classic, especially if your vibe is gothy and glam. Mimi D's fave? Chef's Kiss, from Orly's collab with James Beard Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi. Black is his signature nail color and with this formula, we suspect it'll be yours too.

"Lilac means different things to different people," Miles says. "I see it as [having] an even balance of red and blue." Her favorite is Jin Soon's Ube, which in her opinion, is perfection since doesn't skew too pink or too blue — just somewhere in the middle.

This rich brown shade will definitely have your sweet tooth craving dessert. "Zoya Louise is a creamy chocolate color that's beautiful on darker skin tones," says Inzerillo.

Beige-pink is a nail polish color that's fit for most occasions. Case in point: Essie Nail Enamel in Topless and Barefoot, which has been a favorite at weddings, Fashion Week, and red carpet events. New York-based manicurist Elle Gerstein cites this color as a celebrity favorite, noting that it's Blake Lively's "go-to nude."

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A violet nail polish color is equal parts regal and approachable. LeChat Dare to Wear Lacquer in Violet Fizz, a jewel-tone purple, makes the case for this, and is, according to Gerstein, one of Emilia Clarke's favorite nail colors.

Pear Nova's Pink Collar Crime is the perfect punch pink to add to your collection. Mimi D loves this polish, which she notes comes in both gel and classic formulas. Take your pick.

Miles's pick for a nude? Modern Love, this mauve-y confection by Deborah Lippmann. It's a neutral that looks great on a wide range of skin tones. If you're a fan of shiny nails, you're gonna love this one. It imparts a glossy, gel-like finish without the UV lamp.

Sweeping on a layer of an iridescent nail polish instantly adds dimension to your manicure. For a multicolored shift that borders on magical, New York City-based manicurist, Miss Pop suggests painting on one coat of Zoya Professional Lacquer in Leia before sealing your look with a top coat.

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Blackberry — particularly Chanel Le Vernis in Vamp — is a favorite among multiple nail pros, and it makes complete sense as to why. The smoky red hue is so sultry, it earned a Best of Beauty Award, garnered a loyal following, and even spurred its own Wikipedia page. Gerstein says she can recall an instance where the nail polish sold out and was auctioned for hundreds on eBay the year it first launched.

A dark, nearly black shade of brown adds an element of mystery to your manicure. An example of this is Essie Nail Enamel in Wicked, which Gerstein said was born from the demand for vampy shades after Chanel Le Vernis in Vamp had initially sold out.

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