Learn how to choose the best nail polish for your skin tone

This is a very long overdue swatch post, but it has some bonus nail art which I hope you enjoy. This time I have Chanel Rouge Red 546 from the spring 2017 collection.

Every year it seems, Chanel come out with a new red polish. They have subtly different colour undertones, so if you already know what suits your skin tone, this should help you make a decision between them.

Chanel Rouge Red 546 swatch

Chanel Rouge Red 546 swatch

Skin tones generally fall into cool, neutral or warm. Cool skin tones suit blue based makeup and nail polish, and warm tones suit yellow-orange bases.

Look at your skin – if you have peachy, yellow or golden tones, you are warm toned. Blue or pink undertones mean you have cool toned skin. Neutral is a mixture. As a general rule, make up and nail polish with the same undertones will work well for you.

I have a cool skin tone, as well as being very pale. I prefer blue-based or true reds, rather than orange-based.  As you can see above, Rouge Red is a true red, and the recent Chanel reds have been a bit more orange leaning.

Still, they are very similar.

Chanel Reds: Coquelicot, Rouge Red, Gitane

Chanel Reds: Coquelicot, Rouge Red, Gitane

Chanel Rouge Red 546

If you’re in the market for a new Chanel red, and you have a cool or neutral skin tone, this is a good choice.

The formula is nice, and only needs two coats to be opaque. It’s nothing particularly special, as red creme polishes go, but being Chanel it would make a perfect gift for anyone.

Lucky Chinese Nail Art

This bright, true red was calling for some crisp gold stamping. I chose an oriental knot design centred on my nails.

This would be the perfect design for celebrating Chinese New Year.

Chanel Rouge Red 546 Chinese-inspired nail art

Chanel Rouge Red 546 Chinese-inspired nail art

Polishes and tools

Nailtiques
Chanel Rouge Red
Barry M Gold Foil Effect
MoYou London Arabesque 06
Clear Jelly Stamper The Big Bling and Bling Brush
Seche Vite

Chanel Rouge Red 546 nail art

Chanel Rouge Red 546 nail art

My challenge for you today is to identify your skin tone – cool, neutral, or warm? Let me know in the comments below.