Is Black Nail Polish Right for You?

Is Black Nail Polish right for you? Black nail designs can conjure up strong emotions in some people – both yourself as well as others that view your nails, and the reaction varies based on what clothes you’re wearing to a large degree.

Black nail polish is often associated with a gothic fashion or life style – however, it also has been viewed as elegant on many celebrities including Lindsay Lohan – although recently that association may be more aligned with the “bad girl” image that can also come with having black nails! Contrary maybe to popular opinion, I think black polish can be a very versatile color for nails – from gothic, to sophisticated, to trendy, to fun around holidays, to showing a daring side when matched with an appropriate attitude and attire.

In fact, one of my favorite black nail polishes in terms of quality and price – not to mention the easy design color, is OPI Black Onyx. Many women have tried a cheap, drug store brand of black nail polish, not been happy with the results, and gave up…more than any other color of polish, the brand and selection within a brand will make a key difference.

Historical References to Black Nail Polish

In ancient China, black nail polish was used by several dynasties [along with red color nail polish] on royal figures, suggesting a historical association of black nails with royalty. Again, this was likely enhanced or possibly even offset by the royal attire also worn in the times.

Halloween is also a common association when people see a woman with nails painted black – however, there isn’t a strong link to “vampires” or “dracula” – although most images and movies around Dracula may show men with painted black nails. It is funny however when you see a larger number of women with black fingernails around September and October…my favorites from a few years ago were black nail designs with little pumpkin painted on them! Why shouldn’t nails be fun?

Feelings and Experiences with Black Nail Designs

Personally I like black nails, and with this color polish on feel they can look very sophisticated especially on shorter nails when worn with either professional attire as well as dressy casual ["my Friday night outfit"].  When worn on longer nails, I believe that black polish can lean a little more towards gothic – which is not a bad look of course – it’s all in what you feel comfortable with and is your normal image.

I love this article where someone claims black polish actually changed their life – people feel strongly about black nail designs for sure! While I’m sure she had beautiful nails and a cool design with black nail lacquer – change your life – really??

Recent shades of black nail polish can enhance the sophisticated side of colored nails – different hues, sparkles incorporated in the nail polish, and even simple nail designs that start with black and incorporate subtle swirls of blues and reds. I believe that any shade of black – even ones that lean towards a sophisticated look, still convey a hint of adventure and danger – i.e. they can add mystique and leave a little sensation in the minds of people you meet.

The OPI Black Shatter collection of polishes is exceptional, and very popular. While more known by their celebrity endorsement of “OPI Katy Perry”, these crackle polishes have been extremely popular this year, and when mixed with a variety of different color base coats can create a totally unique black color experience on your nails. For example, a dark purple polish covered with OPI shatter creates a very sophisticated look.

For the price of one bottle of Chanel polish, you can get a Katy Perry and Black Shatter collection of 5 polishes, including the wildly popular OPI teenage dream polish.

While I haven’t experienced this, some women feel black polish chips or cracks easier than other colors. While I don’t know if this is true or not [based on my experiences with various brands of nail polish], you may want to start your experimentation with a higher end polish such as OPI nails or China Grace so that the actual quality of the polish is not a factor. Your foray into black nails should be based on the look and not on whether the crack or peel the first week!

There are also some very cool new designs you can do with black crackle polish – i.e. the OPI polish Katy Perry Shatter for example is a very cool way to add a black polish crackle effect to your nails.

Be sure and coordinate the rest of your outfit with black polish as it is more sensitive to other accessories than some nail polish colors. For example, a dashing look is blue jeans, a black shirt, black fingernails and toenails, and either black earrings or a black bracelet. Conversely, if you wear a red shirt, you can accessorize with a black necklace to synchronize with your black nail color.  It’s not as if you will look like a disaster if you don’t coordinate, but with a little thought in the morning [or night if you're going clubbing], the overall effect can be dramatic with just little accents here and there.

I wouldn’t underestimate how wearing black polish and coordinating with your outfit will, well, make you feel differently – it can change your mood, give you a dangerous and edgy feel, and will generate reactions from those around you. Maybe not the desired effect if you are shy or introspective, but if you like to have your fashion make you feel different for a day, then scrapping your conservative nail polish for something edgy like black nail designs may do the job!

Beautiful nails aren’t only about the visual effect of a high quality polish like the OPI Nail collections – it also has to be about how you FEEL – the polish should match your mood, your anticipated environment, and your fashion – great nail designs can be simple, but they should reflect you as a person!

And, of course, if you don’t like it and don’t enjoy the attention, you can always run home and scrub it off in a few minutes right? And maybe be out a couple of bucks, but not a huge deal right?

Have fun with it – if you are into the Gothic scene, you no doubt have seen some amazing examples of nails that go beyond a simple black matte or gloss polish effect – don’t be afraid to ask a woman how she got that effect – as you know, we love to be questioned and complimented on our fashions – especially if they are somewhat on the edge or leading a trend as black nail polish seems to be this summer!

Some additional sites that may help you with a decision around black nail polish:

• How to Pick a Nail Polish Color for Black Dress or any Color Dress … – When it comes time to wear a dress, it usually means we are off to some formal occasion, got our selfs a hot date or whatever. You have this amazing dress, but.
• Nail Polish on Black Boots – Portfolio of Pittsburgh Web Designer including portfolio and general information on website design, including WordPress theme development.

Have fun with Black Nail polish designs – whether solo black or a black shatter polish combined with a cool color underneath – black is here to stay, and if you haven’t tried it you don’t know what you’re missing!