With dozens of bottles to choose from, picking a colour can take longer than the manicure. These questions narrow it down quickly.
- How long should it last? Sheer nudes and pinks hide growth and small chips better than dark shades.
- What is it for? A wedding or interview suits soft tones; a holiday is a good excuse for brights.
- Warm or cool undertone? Hold two swatches, one warm and one cool, next to your skin and see which looks fresher.
- Short or long nails? Dark shades make short nails look neat; light shades make nails look a little longer.
Still unsure? Ask to try two swatches on one nail each before you decide. Your nail technician sees a lot of hands and is happy to give an honest opinion.