Poll: Are dark nails inappropriate for the office?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
As we roll into August, the shimmery pinks and muted nudes of early spring and summer tend to move their way to darker hues.
So today's poll is about nails — particularly, darkly colored nails at the office.
A friend of ours told us once that she'd been told her dark red nails were “too aggressive” for her law office, but from our perspective it seems that any normal color (in the pink or red family) should be acceptable for a professional woman to wear, provided her nails are well manicured (and not chipped, no matter what the NYT says).
What's your opinion?
We've talked a lot about nails over the years, including the best nail polish colors for interviews, how to look polished with naked nails, the best treatments for healthy nails, the most generally acceptable nail length and shape for conservative offices, and what colors are appropriate for conservative offices. Inspired by a conversation with a partner at her firm, Kat's also rounded up what to look for in a nail salon near your office.
Are Dark Nails Appropriate for the Office?
Here's that poll in text form, if that's easier for you:
What nail colors are appropriate for a professionally-minded woman?
What do you mean, “not chipped”? Chips are fine; so is any color. 2%
Any color (maintained well). Red, black, blue, green, whatever. 12%
Any “normal” color in the pink/red family. 45%
Nude or pale colors only, s'il vous plait. 32%
No color! Who has time to get their nails done? 6%
Closed / Total votes: 232.
Our Latest Favorite Professional Nail Polish colors for interviews
These are some of our favorite nail colors for interviews: Essie's Ballet Slippers, Mademoiselle, Sugar Daddy, and the more purpley Lady Like; Essie's gel Fairy Tailor, and OPI's Bubble Bath. CLASSIC! Two slightly fancier options readers love: Dior Nail Glow and kur's Londontown Illuminating Nail Concealer.
Our Latest Favorite Healthy Nail Treatments
Looking for healthy nail treatments? Readers love Burt's Bees lemon butter cuticle cream, CND Solar Nail & Cuticle Cream, OPI Nail Envy, Deborah Lippmann's The Cure Ultra Nourishing Cuticle Repair Cream, Lush Lemony Flutter, Dior Creme Abricot, and Sally Hansen's cuticle massage creme.
Updated images via Stencil.
Going with nude or pale has the added benefit of not showing chips… Personally, I think nails should abide by the same ruels as jewelry, hair, andclothing — clean, professional, and flattering, but never distracting.
I keep a bottle of clear posh and cuticle oil in my desk drawer. Dry, ragged cuticles are more noticable and unsightly than chips!
I agree, chips are not trendy! They may be inevitable, but heavily chipped fire-engine red nails? That’s tacky.