Not Red, Not Brown—This Parisian-Coded Nail Colour Is the Classiest Around

Anyone who knows me will correctly guess that my favourite nail polish hues tend to range from milky, sheer white to sheer pink nail polishes that impart a healthy glow to the nails. You see, whilst I’m swayed by nail trends and adore dark nail colours on other people, on my hands, they tend to look too stark. I’ve always envied those who can carry off a dark burgundy, glossy black or brown nail colour. For some reason, they just don’t suit my skin tone, especially in the winter months.

Navy blue nail polishes, on the other hand, I make an exception for. Softer than black, yet moodier than other blue nail shades, I find navy complements my skin tone whilst satisfying my itch to embrace deeper manicure colours. In fact, I’d argue that navy blue is actually a neutral. I think of it as the nail version of your favourite pair of dark-wash denim jeans. They go with anything and everything, and they remain timeless no matter the season. They also feel incredibly Parisian-coded, and it’s a colour that never dates.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been researching and testing the best navy nail polishes that I’ve spied on the chicest of hands of late. Scroll on to find your next favourite navy nail polish.

I’ve been singing the praises of the Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish for as long as I can remember (combined with the Gel Couture Top Coat, it’s the next best thing to a gel manicure—trust me), as it lasts on my nails for well over a week without chipping. I recently bought a bottle of Caviar Bar, which is the most beautiful deep blue with an ultra-glossy finish. I’ve been wearing this polish over the past week and have lost count of the number of compliments I’ve received on it.

If you favour a shimmer finish, may I suggest this Manucurist nail colour? It has subtle metallic pigments, but isn’t overly glitzy. If you prefer a classic cream finish, then Poppy Seed is a beautiful, deep grey-navy tone that I have my eye on next.

I often spot Hailey Bieber wearing a navy nail colour, and more often than not, she’s wearing OPI Midnight Mantra. Whilst it’s not readily available in the UK, the No Chips On My Shoulder OPI nail colour is a very close match. The OPI Infinite Shine formulas are so glossy and shiny, whilst giving you a gel-like finish that lasts longer than your typical nail polish.

I don’t need to tell you that Chanel’s nail colours are amongst some of the chicest around. But I think the Fugueuse shade totally flies under the radar. It’s the perfect deep navy blue, and the curved brush means you get a flawless manicure each and every time.

I often see this Bio Sculpture nail polish colour on some of the best luxury nail techs in London, and it really is a sophisticated colour to go for if you want expensive-looking nails. Bio Sculpture manicures are famed for their long-lasting and glossy results. Thankfully, it also comes in nail polish form too if you’re doing your nails at home.