Matte Nails - Complete Guide!

Matte nails have been a huge trend on the runways for over a year now, and they have been growing in popularity with each passing day. It seems that no matter what color you choose to put on your nails, matte is taking over! Matte black nails, matte red nails, matte blue nails, matte pink nails, matte burgundy nails, matte green nails, and even matte grey nail polishes are all popular colors for this season.

What Makes Matte Nail Polish so Appealing?

What is it about a simple manicure that has taken the world by storm?  

In my opinion, I think the biggest appeal of mattifying your manicure is how unique it looks! When you paint your nails normally, you typically get a glossy effect which inevitably draws attention to the color of your nails more than anything.

With matte nail polish, you avoid this shiny appearance and end up with a dryer-looking nail that is much more toned down. For those who have formal jobs or work in an office setting, painting your nails bright red, blue, or green just isn’t appropriate for that environment anymore as it used to be.

In recent years, however, people have been opting for these cooler-toned colors for their everyday manicures and I think the huge popularity of mattifying them has come from this!

In my opinion though, no matter what cool tone color you choose, a matte finish will always look classy and sophisticated. Not only does it give off a modern feel but it looks very clean cut and grown-up.

Top 10 Matte Nail Colors –

1. Matte Black Nails

This black matte nail polish is my absolute favorite out of all the colors because it looks so chic and perfect for everyday use! Of course, you can still use dark colored polish whether it’s worn shiny or not, but having a matte version to choose from means you don’t have to worry about any type of unwanted shininess peaking through your dressy outfit which is what makes this color so great, to begin with!

2. Matte Blue Nails

Just like I mentioned above, the reason why I really love blue matte nails over other shades is that it adds that cool tone that matches perfectly with your formal outfits without making them too busy or “inappropriate” looking. For example, if you were to paint an accent nail bright blue, this would look unprofessional for work even though it’s only one nail. With matte blue nails, you get that same effect without any of the fuss!

3. Matte Burgundy Nails

If you’re someone who loves wearing darker colors on your nails but still wants to keep them classy and toned-down enough for everyday use, burgundy matte nails are the perfect color choice for you! Compared to regular dark red polish, this tone has a bit more brown mixed in which adds warmth while keeping the coolness behind its undertones. This mix makes it both sophisticated AND casual which is what makes it so great!

4. Matte Green Nail Polish

I have been crazy about matte green nails lately because of how unique it is! I’ve never seen another color that matches this completely with a darker matte shade, and I think that’s what has made it so popular. In my opinion, the only thing you need to avoid when wearing matte green polish is to not wear too many accessories or clothing items of a brighter green/yellow since these colors tend to clash with one another.

5. Matte Grey Nails

I’ve always loved grey as a color but it really comes into its own when you make the switch from shiny to matte! Not only does this take away what can sometimes be too much shine, but it also adds a beautiful textured finish which makes each and every detail of your nails stand out.

6. Matte Purple Nails

If you want a traditional “french manicure” style but with a twist, try matte purple nails! While the idea of going from a glossy to matte might seem a bit overwhelming, I can’t stress enough how much easier it is to use this kind of polish especially if you’re just getting into painting your nails more often! In fact, all you have to do is apply one thin coat and let it dry before adding another layer for full coverage.

7. Matte Red Nails

For those who love both reds and purples, try making the switch from shiny red to matte red! It’s a subtle change that will make your manicure feel a bit more elegant and sophisticated. If you want to, you can even use this color with the burgundy matte shade mentioned above for a totally unique look that’s perfect for fall!

8. Matte Pink Nails

Although I personally prefer lighter shades of pink when it comes to painting my nails, I think all pastels look amazing in their matte form especially if they’re not too bright and bold. Although these colors might be more flattering on women with lighter hair or skin tones, anyone can wear any color as long as they feel confident and comfortable doing so!

9. Matte White Nails

Of all the colors I’ve mentioned so far, matte white nails might be my favorite simply because you can do so much with them! You can wear this as your main color and choose other shades to go over it for a fun pop of color or simply leave them as-is to give yourself a very neutral yet stylish look. And if you’re worried about this color not matching well with any clothing items you’re wearing, don’t stress! Matte white polish will work amazingly whenever and wherever without making things too busy or complicated.

10. Nude Matte Nails

The final nail that’s come into play ever since matte polish became popular is the matte nude shade which is exactly what it sounds like: basically a lighter version of your natural skin color! Although this is a very natural and basic color, I think it looks amazing on any skin tone and can pair well with so many different outfits. So whether you’re going for soft feminine or chic and casual, matte nude nails are a perfect choice!

Featured Matte Nail Designs

Honestly, I can’t quite think of a nail design that doesn’t go well with matte finishing. However, there are definitely some leading designs that are considered optimal and/or more popular. Here they are:

Coffin-Shaped Matte Nails

This style is popular because it not only looks chic and edgy but also gives your fingers a nice pointy look even though it doesn’t actually change their natural shape.

Acrylic Matte Nails

The only difference between this design and the one above is that acrylic matte nails are created using gel instead of actual polish. Don’t worry though, applying an acrylic finish over your nail won’t make them feel any less smooth!

Matte Ombre Nails

I personally love wearing dark colors on my fingernails for fall/winter, so the overall ‘ombre’ look definitely caught my attention when it first came out. Even though you can wear all shades of brown to create this look, I think it looks especially great with a dark green polish on the tips.

Matte Glitter Nails

Although this is a pretty basic design, matte glitter nails are definitely a fan favorite! You can find so many colors and styles of glitters to use for this look ranging from metallic to pastel and even holographic. My tip would be to choose one color you love or make your manicure very neutral by adding multiple shades of glitter to soften up the overall look.

To Conclude

So there you have it – my recommendations and ideas for matte nail designs! Even if you’re not accustomed to using polishes without shine, just remember these are all still technically “pigments” which means they can be used in whatever way works best for YOU. Whether it’s painting your tips in a solid matte color or going for a more complex design with your personal touch, you can always make your nails stand out stylishly and confidently! So what are you waiting for?