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Matching shoes, a clutch, and jewelry to your prom dress may be your main focus, but don't forget about your prom nails! The shade you wear on your nails for prom can add a lot to your overall look, but choosing the right one for your outfit's color scheme can be tricky. So, to figure out how to match nail polish to your perfect prom dress or suit, we called upon celebrity nail artists. Look no further for prom nail ideas. They've helped us come with 32 stunning nail designs for every color dress. Read on to get some inspiration for cute prom nails and even find some places to get your perfect shade!
Nails for a Black Dress
CoffeeAndMilk / Getty Images
When picking prom nails for a black dress, you can basically go in any direction. Celebrity manicurist Beth Fricke suggests going bold: "With a black dress, wear intense flashes of color to accessorize!"
1. Neon Nail Polish
Jelena Ivkovic / EyeEm / Getty Images
Nails, Inc. Polish: Flock You
2. Bright Blue Nail Polish
marigo20 / Getty Images.
H&M Nail Polish: Lapis Lazuli
3. Bold Yellow Nail Polish
Nails for a White Dress
zoranm
With a white dress, go for classic baby pink nails for prom... or go in a completely different direction and think outside the box. According to Julie Kandalec, the founder of Masterclass Nail Academy, wearing white is a great opportunity to choose a fun coral or bright aqua nails for prom.
4. Light Pink Nail Polish
Ella + Mila Nail Polish: Stuck on You
5. Coral Nail Polish
LightFieldStudios
Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Polish: Coral Silk
6. Aqua Nail Polish
Andreas Kuehn / Getty Images.
Essie Nail Polish: Turquoise and Caicos
Nails for a Red Dress
Deagreez / Getty Images
“Matchy-matchy is actually OK here. With red, more than other colors, it’s really important to nail the right undertone. A red dress with an orange-y hue needs a warm undertone nail color. Similarly, if you have a red dress with a cool, blue undertone, the nail color should mimic it. Pink also looks so chic with red—it’s my favorite color combination right now,” said celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival.
7. Deep Red Nail Polish
Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images.
Color Therapy Nail Polish: Unwine'd
Cranberry is another one of fall's quintessential nail colors (and also comes in handy in winter).
8. Bright Red Nail Polish
Tetra Images / Getty Images.
OPI Nail Lacquer: Big Apple Red
We can't limit ourselves to just one red, can we? On the other side of the spectrum, you've got this bold and bright red nail color.
9. Pink Nail Polish
Patipan Khaoaunla / EyeEm / Getty Images
Essie Nail Polish: Mod Square
Nails for Blush Pink Dress
Yuliia Balanenko / EyeEm
"Try something fun and unique like a fresh blue or mint green that coordinates with jewelry or matches eye makeup to modernize the look," says Beth. You could also opt for bright, fresh white prom nails (and potentially add a some glitter over the white).
10. Mint Green Nail Polish
Iryna Veklich / Getty Images
Essie Nail Polish: Bon Boy-Age
11. Light Blue Nail Polish
OPI Nail Polish: Kanpai
12. White Nail Polish
Essie Nail Polish in Blanc
Nails for a Floral Dress
SrdjanPav / Getty Images
"If you are planning a floral dress, then you don't want to be to 'cute-sy' in other areas like makeup and nails. Offset the softness and sweetness of a floral dress with a dramatic, high-octane color like a vampy blackish-burgundy. Or, try something fun and off beat — maybe something glittery," says Nonie Crème, the founder of Butter London.
13. Dark Burgundy Nail Polish
efetova / Getty Images.
OPI Infinite Shine: Stick to Your Burgundies
14. Light Glitter Nail Polish
Anna Efetova / Getty Images.
The Future Is Fairy Nail Polish Duo by Nails Inc.
15. Dark Glitter Nail Polish
Marina Migukova / Getty Images.
Live Love Polish: Last Call
Nails for a Gold Dress
CoffeeAndMilk / Getty Images
Complement a gold metallic dress with gold metallic (or gold glitter) prom nails. A warm, solid color like orange or red prom nails also looks great with a gold dress.
16. Gold Nail Polish
H&M Nail Polish: Flake It
17. Orange Nail Polish
baiajaku / Getty Images.
Essie Rocky Rose Collection: Set in Sandstone
18. Pure Red Nail Polish
mikroman6 / Getty Images.
Londontown Lakur: Vendetta
Nails for Silver Metallic Dress
PeopleImages
For a silver metallic prom dress, pick a cool nail color like gray, soft purple, or periwinkle blue. They're great compliments to silver, and absolutely perfect for prom.
19. Grey Nail Polish
Dariia Chernenko / Getty Images.
Essie Nail Polish: The Best-Est
20. Purple Nail Polish
Jasmine Mellow / EyeEm
Essie Go Overboard Spring Collection Nail Color
21. Periwinkle Blue Nail Polish
Maya23K / Getty Images.
Essie Flying Solo Nail Polish: You Do Blue
Nails for a Jewel-Toned Dress
ta-nya
"Almost-black nail colors accent the richness of a jewel-toned dress. Look for polishes in similar jewel tones as the fabric in purple, blue, or emerald. Or, if you can’t find the right match, deep red nails look great with everything. And metallic gold or silver nails will bring out the metal highlights in your dress," says Tracylee.
22. Deep Red Nail Polish
AlexBlackPhoto / Getty Images.
Opi Raisin' The Bar Polish
Something about deep, rich colors just makes sense for the fall. Try a deep cranberry shade; it’s a modern classic.
23. Rich Blue Nail Polish
Nastasenika / Getty Images.
24. Metallic Purple Nail Polish
Sallie Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish: Plum Euphoria
Another one of our favorite fall nail polish colors is this colorful metallic jewel tone.
Nails for a Grey Dress
Tetra Images
Wondering how to match nail polish to a dress that's a neutral color? Look for beige and cream nail colors. "If you're wearing a dark, neutral color like grey or navy, try a cream opaques. You can also layer sheer metallics with a dark crème for a cool affect," says celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein.
25. Sheer Metallic Cream Nail Polish
OPI Nail Polsih in Shine Chiffon'd of You
26. Beige Nail Polish
DevMarya / Getty Images.
Zoya Nail Lacquer in McKenna
27. Shimmery Cream Nail Polish
Temir Shintemirov / Getty Images.
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer - Sugarette
This richly pigmented, shimmery white nail polish is perfect if you want a subtle shine.
Nails for a Pastel Dress
CoffeeAndMilk
"A white, shimmery look is a feminine way to complement the soft tone of a pastel dress. Pink nails complement all pastel dresses and keep the look young and fresh. It’s a good idea to choose something a shade deeper than the dress you’re wearing. If your dress is light blue, for example, wear a deeper blue with the same undertone on your nails," says Tracylee.
28. White, Shimmery Nail Polish
DevMarya / Getty Images.
29. Pastel Blue Nail Polish
Tatiana / Getty Images.
30. Pastel Yellow Nail Polish
Jonathan Knowles / Getty Images.
31. Pastel Pink Nail Polish
Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images.