White Nail Enamel

Do you have a few beauty tricks that instantly make you start feeling yourself? It could be a special hairstyle, your ABSOLUTE favorite dress, a particular fragrance, or something completely invisible to the world. One of my instant footwear style/ beauty gems is white nail polish.

My obsession with white nail enamel began when I saw a beautiful “Essence” or “Ebony” magazine editorial a couple years back. When I tell you representation matters! GIRL, as soon as I saw the model decked out in classic black and white threads while rocking white nail polish, I was hooked. The model had beautiful dark skin similar to my own, so the color really brought and extra touch of radiance and elegance to her photos. I was obsessed at trying to recreate that look.

Before that editorial, I’d had a very narrow idea of which nail colors that I “could” wear as a very dark skinned woman. I already knew reds, oranges, and pinks worked but THAT’S IT! I didn’t venture out much beyond those colors because I saw myself through the lens of others. When I tell you, I got so much flack for wearing my favorite shimmery burnt orange nail polish in grade school! CHILE, I thought I was so cute after I’d strut into the hallways of my school with that nail color and complementing lip gloss. To me, the color enhanced my natural features. My mom wore it, and I loved the thought of me imitating my beautiful mother.

But of course, tween and teen girls can be mean. The comments I’d received were so hurtful and had a lasting influence on my personal taste and self-perception. After comments like, “Dark people shouldn’t wear orange!”, I literally stopped wearing my favorite burnt orange nail polish. At that point, I began to wear only limiting, traditional shades, always being mindful of how other view my skin. I literally haven’t worn that color since.

Now, I’m taking back my own styling power. I like white nail polish against my dark skin, and you should too. Even if you don’t like the color, giving it a try wouldn’t hurt. Within colorology, the color white is sometimes associated with cleanliness, a fresh start, or purity. These associations could bring added positive vibes to your mood.

Have you ever dared to sport white nails? If so, what was your experience? If not, give it a try, I’m sure you’ll love it.

*SSL TIP: Personally, I top my white nails off with a thick yellow tinted top coat to give the color more of a rich crème look. If the white color is too bright, I don’t like it as much.

Thanks for reading!

Featured Photo//Pinterest