Black Nail Theory Explained
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Black nail theory builds upon other nail theories, like Red Nail Theory and Blue Nail Theory, that suggest wearing certain colors on your nails can impart the vibe or essence of that color onto the wearer.
It’s a spin off of psychology’s color theory, which is commonly referenced in style and fashion trends.
You can use color theory to benefit your life in many different ways - just choose a color with the essence you want to align with and go from there.
Use it to decide what paint you choose for your walls to what you select for a piece of clothing.
You can also use it to select your next manicure.
In this post, you’ll learn what Black Nail Theory is, how you can use it and gather a few black nail polish ideas for your next manicure.
I’m most familiar with the color black in terms of its spiritual significance, where it often symbolizes strength, protection and rebirth, but below, we’ll cover a variety of meanings behind black nails.
First things first, when you hear about Black Nail Theory, you’ll usually hear it referenced alongside Dark Nail Theory. They can be used interchangeably, but for the purposes of this post, I’ll stick to Black Nail Theory.
The reason is that many shades of black are not 100% black - there are other colors involved.
Black nail colors can be black with brown undertones, black with reddish undertones, black with gray undertones, black with purple undertones and so on.
There are usually different colors that go into making black - black, and thus, these other dark shades also play a role in the color’s theory.
Are your dark black nails ever just pure black?
Usually not, and not only that, the undertones of your own nail bed can influence how the exact tone of the black looks on your hands. So that’s why the phrase Dark Nail Theory can also be used to define this trend.
But now that we’ve covered semantics, let’s dive in.
Black Color Theory
To fully understand Black Nail Theory, we must first discuss Black Color Theory.
Black is commonly considered a powerful, assertive and confident color symbolizing a strong willed or independent person, which is why it can sometimes be considered an edgy color.
It’s associated with sophistication, mystery, luxury and exclusivity.
Black is connected with the night, darkness and moon energy otherwise known as “dark feminine energy” or “feminine mysteries,” so it can symbolize intuitive and emotional intelligence.
The dark feminine energy aesthetic is really about embracing one’s own inner power, intuition and allure.
When you embrace your own feminine energy - there’s a mystique that radiates from you.
It’s why zodiac signs like Scorpio are considered so seductive, because that sign is all about the intuitive, feminine mystique.
The color black is thought to represent the essence of this idea.
The color black can also represent authority, elegance, formality and prestige.
It’s a strong, elegant shade - which is why you’ll often see it tied to upscale events, establishments and things.
In Feng Shui, the Japanese form of energy practice, black is associated with the element of water, evoking a calming, grounding effect on your environment.
Now that we’ve covered the positive associations of the color black, let’s discuss black nail theory.
Black Nail Theory
Black nail theory is simply the idea that you can tap into the energetic qualities of this color by wearing it on your nails.
Wearing black on the nails can represent:
Prestige, Elegance and Sophistication
Black is associated with elements of luxury and power. It’s oftentimes tied to upscale events and settings, so it can evoke a sense of eliteness.
It can mean that something or someone is of a high quality - think world-class, premier, A-list.
Whether you’re a VIP or you’re going to an event that’s tailored to other VIPs, black nails can give you some status - making your look more sleek and formal, with a distinguished and dignified vibe.
Wear it anytime you want to elevate your look to appear more sophisticated and prestigious.
Mystique and Allure
Because black is connected to themes like intuition, feminine mysteries, and the night, it can be a seductive, chic color.
Wearing black on the nails can elevate your look, making it more bewitching, captivating and charming.
These qualities make black nails the perfect color for evening wear and formal events.
Protection from Evil
The reason why black is often considered protective is because it absorbs light. From a spiritual perspective, this means black absorbs any energy that may come your way.
Energetically speaking, wearing black on the nails is a way to give yourself an energetic shield from any toxic energy that may find itself headed in your direction.
When you’re protected from evil, it gives you space to amplify your personal power, assertiveness, independence, strength, and confidence — part of the intelligent power of tapping into black’s color magic.
How To Tap Into Black Nail Theory
Explore different black nail shades to find one that you like the most.
Once you have a favorite black, wear it whenever you want to evoke a sense of sophistication and elegance, increase your personal charm and alluring mystique or amplify your personal power.
Have you tried Black Nail Theory yet?
Have you noticed others perceiving you with any of the above qualities - like increased status, mystique or assertiveness - when wearing a black manicure?
Have you embodied any of these characteristics when wearing black nails?
Whether you wear black for its essence and vibes or just because you like it, something we can all agree on is that black nails are timeless.
They’re a classic look and they go with every outfit.
Add these shades to your collection following the links above!
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