Silver Nails: The Surprising ‘New Neutral’ TikTok Can’t Get Enough Of

As we look to transition between seasons, the appropriate nail colour is called into question by beauty fans. Interestingly, TikTok may have just uncovered the surprising ‘new neutral’ that is set to take over, and beauty experts at the go-to beauty and wellness booking app, Fresha, agree!

TikTok creator Amanda Sujin shared a guide to the perfect silver manicure, claiming that silver is a surprisingly versatile neutral shade, sparking thousands of comments and responses from users. 

Over the past three months, Google searches for ‘silver nail polish’ have increased by 48% worldwide, further cementing the growing interest in this understated shade.

A nail expert on the Fresha Marketplace says, “Chrome or metallic nails always feel like a bold choice, but silver is a chameleon colour. It reflects light, meaning it can appear differently in different lights, and it can work on all skin tones. You just need to know which shades and undertones to pick, and here is how.”

How to pick a silver shade to suit your skin tone:

1. Fair to light
   
   “For those with a fair to light complexion, a softer, more pearlescent silver will be the most complimentary. Any shades with a slightly champagne undertone will work perfectly, as the subtle warmth avoids making your skin look washed out and creates a more cohesive and harmonious look. If you would prefer a super high shine or chrome, opt for shorter nails to keep it from being too overpowering and robotic looking.”
   
2. Medium to olive
   
   “True silver tones pop beautifully against medium to olive skin tones. You also have the option to lean into slightly cooler silver tones like those with blue undertones. These will bring out the warmth in your skin, whilst giving off a clean, modern look.”

1. Deep to dark
   
   “Bold, high shine silvers, gunmetals, or even holographic finishes create the most beautiful contrast against these skin tones. If you’re someone who likes to make a statement, try a longer nail length in a coffin or stiletto shape for a super dramatic look.” 

How to make this shiny neutral work for everyday:

1. Keep it soft
   
   “Whilst silver can be seen as a bold, statement shade, it doesn’t have to be and can in fact work for everyday. The trick to it is to keep it soft. Rather than going for high-shine, chrome options, leaning towards soft shades with more of a satin finish will keep it from looking too overpowering and in your face.”
   
2. Opt for short to mid nail lengths
   
   “For the long nail girls, this might be more of a challenge, but keeping your nails short to mid-length will keep silver nails from looking too dramatic. Opting for classic ‘clean girl’ shapes like oval or squoval will keep your nails looking sophisticated.”
   
3. Nail the undertones

“Following my guidance on choosing the right silver for your skin tone is key to allowing silver nail polish to act as a neutral. If you select a silver polish with the wrong undertones for your skin, attention will automatically be drawn to your nails, which is not the point of a neutral shade. Selecting the right shade will allow your nails to blend harmoniously with your tone and your style, keeping things understated and polished.”