COPIED

6 mins

Behind the Rainbow

Discover the meanings behind shade choices for nails as LILLY DELMAGE explores colour psychology & hot picks for mood-boosting manicures

‘Have you decided on a nail shade?’ is a question you may ask daily, as you patiently watch clients rifle through colour pops and swatches. Consider saving time and adding a fun element at the nail desk by advising them on a hue to boost their mood, using colour psychology.

Julie Jackson

“Colour is what we see due to the way objects reflect light,” says expert stylist & colour analyst, Julie Jackson of House of Colour. “Every shade of the spectrum has its own wavelength: red has the longest and therefore the warmest, while the shortest wavelengths are blue, green and violet. Shades on the cooler end of the spectrum are more restful on our eyes, so are more calming to our Julie Jackson senses.” In turn, colour psychology refers to the study of how the light wavelengths of colour can impact human behaviour and mood.

The power of colour

Sarah Potter

Professional psychic medium, tarot reader & witch, Sarah Potter, adds: “Colour subconsciously impacts how we feel, and choosing a particular colour either enhances the energy we already experience, or helps to create the mood we wish to project. This is one of the reasons why people wear black when they wish to feel professional and Sarah Potter powerful: it’s a highly protective colour that projects a mood of respect and authority, eliciting a self-empowered, confident vibe.”

Choosing client colours

Dannika Majewski

“As nail artists, we often create designs that resonate with a client’s emotions or personal preferences,” says Nailchemy brand ambassador, Dannika Majewski. “Choosing nail colours for my clients is a blend of intuition and technique. I start by discussing how they’re feeling or the image they want to project. We might use mood boards or colour wheels to pinpoint what resonates with them.”

She continues: “Colour choice can significantly impact and support a mood or feeling. My clients often tell me that their nail colour becomes a source of empowerment and joy, influencing how they carry themselves throughout each day.”

Nails by Dannika Majewski.

“The psychology of colour is powerful; it’s amazing how the right hue can transform a person’s mood.”

NOSTALGIA NAILS

Danielle Brindley

Danielle uses bright shades in a colour block pattern for this eye-catching nail style.

Glitterbels educator & double Scratch Stars Awards winner 2024, Danielle Brindley, finds that seasonal nostalgia helps to determine nail colour choices. In the summer months, she shares that clients opt for ‘fluorescent and bright colours which might represent the feeling of being on holiday, such as blues that signify the sea, or yellows for warmth and sun’. “The shades are reminiscent of holidays and fun,” she says. Subsequently, they encourage uplifting emotional responses.

Danielle continues: “The festive season promotes colours associated with celebration, such as bright reds, emerald, pine greens, rich purples, metallic gold and glitters.”

Festive nails by Danielle Brindley.

Mani-cure-festing

Post-it notes and affirmations may become things of the past, as nail colours can now serve as daily reminders of goals. Sarah Potter explains the concept of manifestation as: ‘the practice of turning an idea into a tangible reality by setting an intention and focusing your thoughts on a desired outcome’. She suggests that clients choose a colour with an energy matching their intention, and to think about that intention as the colour is applied. When they glance at their nails throughout each day, they can consider what they are doing to make their intention come true.

A colour wheel to feel

Allow your clients to express themselves: revise the emotional potential of nail colours to make apt suggestions at the nail desk.

Yellow

According to Sarah Potter, yellow is instrumental in promoting feelings of joy, happiness and spontaneity. With #yellownails featuring on over 950,000 Instagram posts, the nail colour appears to be a popular choice for inspiring positivity and productivity. Creamy yellow ‘butter nails’ are a popular craze, increasing in popularity thanks to singer, Selena Gomez, and her go-to nail tech, Tom Bachik.

Light Elegance ButterCream in Psychedelic £17.95 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk

Selena Gomez’s butter nails by Tom Bachik. Instagram.com/tombachik

Instagram.com/glambykkia

INK London iLac Gel Polish in i260 Calypso £10 + VAT www.inknails.com

Instagram.com/vividbeauty.bydess

OPI GelColor in (Bee)FRR £19.90 + VAT www.opi.com

Instagram .com/sugarcoats_nailsbya shleigh

Instagram.com/mynailgirlness

Green

Green is commonly associated with envy, but Sarah Potter explains that the colour actually encourages feelings of balance, calm, harmony, growth and renewal. The shade is another popular nail choice, with #greennails boasting an impressive 1.7 million posts on Instagram.

Instagram.com/t he nailplugalo

Halo Gel Polish in Stained Glass Green £6.35 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk

Artistic Colour Revolution Reactive Nail Lacquer in Up Teal Dawn £3.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Instagra m.com/samrose nails

Gelish Soak-off Gel Polish in Flying Out Loud £16.99 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk

Blue

The ‘blues’ may hold negative connotations, but experts praise the colour for creating feelings of serenity, peace and trust. The hashtag, #bluenails, is the second most popular nail colour option on Instagram, sitting at 3.7 million posts.

Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in Soaring Above It All £5.50 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk

Instagram.com/rebekahxpritchard

GelJunkie Gel Polish in The Ionioan £7.95 inc VAT www.geljunkie.co.uk

Instagram.com/amand a_byr ne_nailartist

Instagram.com/thenailjailll

CND Shellac™ Gel Polish Hippie-ocracy £14.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Instagram.com/liliflor_nails

Instagram.com/naileditbeauty

Orange

If your client is seeking optimism and enthusiasm, orange is the hue to suggest. The warm, comforting colour has gathered over one million nail-related posts on Instagram, boasting a range of citrusy, flowery and sunset-inspired nail art.

iZ Beauty Of London Gel & Go in Sunkissed £13.50 + VAT www.izabellehammon.com

Nailchemy HEMA Free Gel Polish in Fiji £8.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.com

Glitterbels Hema Free Gel Polish in Sandy Peaches £7.99 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

Instagram.com/arellyys_nailss

Red

Passion, lust, love and danger are all represented by the colour red. Sophisticated and stylish, #rednails takes first place as the most desired nail colour on Instagram, with a staggering 6.6 million posts under the hashtag. “It is essential to have a few shades of red in your nail kit,” shares Danielle Brindley. “It is a classic colour, and I believe there is a shade of red to suit everyone: from bright, summery reds to deep burgundy and striking pillar box red.”

Jessica Custom Nail Colour in Pinatubo Passion £6.50 + VAT/RRP £13 www.gerrardinternational.com

Instagram.com/nailedbyzarate

Instagram.com/thenailloungeipswich

The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Ketchup £14.50 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

Hara Gel Polish in Winter Berry £6.95 + VAT www.astonandfincher.co.uk

Instagram.com/prissyjnails

Instagram.com/embrace.nails

Purple

If your client is low on ambition, purple may be the shade to suggest. With 1.9 million posts using #purplenails, the hashtag offers a wide selection of aesthetically pleasing designs. The hue is associated with luxury, nobility and power, so could be the perfect choice for a special event or interview.

Lecenté Dream Pool Magnetic Cat Eye Powder £8.99 + VAT www.lecente.com / www.sweetsquared.com / www.ellisons.co.uk

NailKind Nail Lacquer in Oyster Pearl £POA/RRP £8.95 www.nailkind.com

Zero Gel Polish in Power Move £11.50 inc VAT www.themanicurecompany.com

Instagram.com/kesangthenailartist

Instagram.com/_beautbybee

BRIDE-ZENNA

Dannika Majewski put her colour knowledge to the ultimate test when a stressed bride-to-be paid her a visit. The nail pro explains: “She was overwhelmed by wedding preparations and wanted her nails to reflect a sense of tranquillity amidst the chaos. We opted for a delicate, French manicure with white leaf accents. This choice not only complemented her wedding theme, but gave her a sense of peace every time she looked at her hands. It was a beautiful reminder for her to stay calm and enjoy the moment.”