Colorimetry and nail polish: expert advice on choosing the ideal shade for your nails

Choosing the right shade of polish for your nails can sometimes seem like a real headache. However, thanks to colorimetry, this decision can become intuitive and precise. Julie Labell, colorimetry expert and color consultant, shares her tips for never making a mistake again.

Colorimetry applied to nails: understanding the essentials

We used to think that colorimetry stopped at dressing rooms or jewelry. Now it’s coming to the fingertips. Nail varnish is no longer a mere accessory: it becomes a chromatic playground in its own right.

According to Julie Labell, the goal isn’t necessarily to highlight a particular nail. Rather, it’s about understanding the use of color to create an interesting contrast. In this way, the choice of shade is combined with the intention you want to create.

In other words, no more varnish chosen by default. Make way for varnish chosen with intention, to express a mood or a personality.

“We combine the choice of color with the intention we want to create.”

Determining your skin tone: the first step

Before talking about the perfect red or the ideal nude, it all starts with a question of temperature. The temperature of your skin and that of your nail polish must match or deliberately contrast.

The method for determining your undertone is simple. Julie Labell advises you to check whether you matte better with gold or silver. If gold is brighter, you’re warmer. On the other hand, if silver is more flattering, you’re colder.

• Warm undertones: opt for orange, golden or slightly yellow shades
• Cool undertones: opt for bluish reds, cool pinks or violet hues
• Neutral undertone: navigate freely between the two palettes
• The gold/silver test for rapid identification
• The first coat of varnish reveals its temperature: bluish = cold, orange = warm

Varnishes for every undertone: a practical guide

For skins with a warm undertone, varnishes in orange shades blend naturally. They create a luminous, sun-kissed look on nails. These shades bring harmony effortlessly.

Cool undertones work perfectly with bluish reds or cool pinks. The effect remains chic, clean, almost icy. What’s more, these colors bring out the skin’s natural radiance.

Neutral undertones travel easily between cooler and warmer colors. This versatility offers great freedom in the choice of shades to enhance your nails.

Contrast also becomes a stylistic asset. Light skin with dark varnish, or vice versa, creates a striking effect. A warm undertone with a cool varnish can also bring out the color’s vibrancy.

Nail polish colors that suit everyone

The quest for the universal nail polish does exist. These chameleon shades avoid extremes and adapt to almost any skin tone.

Julie Labell points out that slightly neutral colors work best. These include cool browns, charcoal greys or certain balanced pinks. These shades are neither too cool nor too orangey.

And for those who still have doubts, there’s some good news. According to the expert, there are no real mistakes in varnish. The only faux pas might be not to dare.

Matching your nail polish to your outfit: harmony or contrast

It’s possible to coordinate your nail polish with your look, but not necessarily in the way you’d imagine. For a classic look, play the harmony card. If your nail polish has a warm undertone, match it with warm shades in your outfit.

However, those who prefer vibrant color can opt for contrast. A cool varnish with a warm outfit creates an assertive clash effect. This stylistic bias gives character to the nails and the whole look.

Shoes also enter the dance. The BIRKENSTOCK CARE ESSENTIALS collection offers nail polish and sandal duos. The idea is to create either a look in the same shades, or a marked contrast between the shade of the nails and that of the sandals.

Birkenstock’s Crocus-colored Arizona sandal is worn with Crocus polish for a harmonious look. Conversely, the Tobacco Brown version can be worn with Red nail polish for a contrasting effect.

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