Black Nails
Updated 2025.09.12. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Some products were sent as samples, but all opinions are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Whenever I’m looking for a sleek and sophisticated look, black nail polish is what I reach for.
It's sultry and looks like patent leather on the hand. It’s an understated neutral, in the same category as white and brown, yet more vampy.
Black nail colors give your nails a formal look and I like them for upscale events. Black nails have a theory like red nail theory, except unlike red nail theory, this color doesn’t involve impressing men.
Black nail theory suggests that this nail color inspires confidence and empowers the self, rather than specifically attracting men.
Black nails are a symbol of defiance, non-conformity, rebellion. They also represent strength, confidence and power, making it a popular shade among male nail polish aficionados.
Black nail polish colors can be worn over the whole nail, or as a nail art accent.
I personally like black as a pedicure color, especially when pairing it with white as the manicure color.
If you’re looking for black nail polish inspiration, below are 5 of my favorite nail polish shades.
Gifted by Beyond Polish
essie climbing high
climbing high is a dark graphite that looks like a hematite gemstone in direct sunlight. It’s shown in 2 coats and from the summer 2023 push play collection.
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essie licorice
licorice is an essie classic.
It’s one of essie’s best sellers and one of the original essie shades first released in 1982, according to The Polish Garden.
This is an opaque, 2 coat cream finish flat black nail polish.
OPI Black Onyx
Black Onyx is an OPI best seller, like essie licorice, it’s a 2 coat creamy, opaque finish pure black nail polish with a slight sheen.
OPI Lincoln Park After Dark
Another OPI best seller, Lincoln Park After Dark is my favorite spooky season black.
The 1st coat starts as a deep eggplant purple which builds to black in the 2nd coat, giving it a rich and enchanting depth.
Huella Beauty Black Book
Black Book is a svelte, warm black creme.
What I like most about Black Book, besides the clean 15-free formula, is that it has brown undertones, most blacks have cooler toned, gray or purple bases.
While Black Book is still a solid black, the brownish undertones give it a subtle softness that makes it easy to wear.
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All in all, black nails can add a touch of sophistication to any look.
They’re also a great ally for nail art. These are my personal favorite black nail colors of all the polishes I’ve tried so far.
Do you have any black nail colors in your collection? Which black nail polishes are your go-tos?
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