A Work-Friendly Nail Color for Spring

Apr 2, 2018

Let’s face it, the beauty editors have lost their minds if they think I can wear sunny yellow, baby blue, or sea green nail polish.  These may be the hot trends blowing in from a catwalk in New York, but they’re not exactly suited for the workplace.  But there is one trendy spring hue that actually works, literally.

I’ve been singing mauves praises for a bit now, but I really do believe that this hue is perfect for work.  There are darker shades or lighter shades.  You can choose one that’s more purple, more pink, more neutral.  Whichever mauve you choose, it’s certainly better than whatever Crayola shade Vogue cooked up.

Pale Mauves.  Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri in Making Mauves is a nice pale mauve, with a hint of shimmer.  It’s a nice alternative the baby pinks we’ve all been wearing for years.  I also like OPI Tickle My France-y and Zoya Pandora.

Medium Mauves.  My favorite mauve polish is, and more forever be, Deborrah Lippmann Modern Love.  I know, I know, broken record, but I love it.  It’s a polish that feels light and pretty without being fussy or distracting.

Other hues in this middle range include Essie Ladylike, a pretty polish with a bit more purple in it.  If you like a hint of shimmer, try OPI’s Reykjavik Has All the Hotspots.

Dark Mauves. These shades have more oomph to them but still bend toward work appropriate.  OPI’s You Sustain Me is a warmer mauve with a hint of cocoa in it.  China Glaze’s My Lodge or Yours has more of a neutral feel.  For something really dark, Burberry’s Mauve polish is very purple and deeply dramatic.

Whichever mauve you choose, this polish works in any season.  Later in the spring, we’ll talk about corals and reds, hot pinks and tangerines.  But for right now, I’m just not ready for sandal-season brights.

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  1. Mary says:

    Love Zoya Pandora. Zoya Jill is a medium mauve and Odette is darker and more purple. The Sally Hansen insta- dry is great when you need to get out the door.

  2. Felicity says:

    Dark mauve has been my go-to colour for a year or so now. I just feel like it has a classic look to it, while being trendy!

    Felicity | https://oliverandmoose.com

  3. Elizabeth says:

    My favorite work appropriate polish is Deborah Lippman’s “Dirty Little Secret.” Not a mauve, but just darker than (my) skin tone greige with a shimmer– that happens to be holographic! You can’t see the holographic shimmer unless you’re looking for it, it just looks shimmery at first glance. But, the holographic shimmer makes me feel just a smidge subversive for work (for someone in their mid-40s). LOVE this shade.

  4. Holly says:

    So many friends and I swear by Essie’s Ladylike!

  5. Caitlin says:

    FWIW I’ve gotten away with baby blue before, but I am also extremely pale so there’s not as much contrast… the sea green would also work if it was more muted.

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