Do you ever notice yourself reaching for the same nail color every time? Comfort shades are hard to quit (my lavender nails and I are basically inseparable), but the nail polish you choose can actually dictate your energy. And what better way to set the tone than by letting your zodiac sign guide it? Your birth chart might even explain why you keep coming back to that favorite nail polish, perfume, or even lipstick.
"Colors carry vibrational frequencies that can subtly influence our mood, mindset, and even how others perceive us," explains NYC-based astrologist Daniela Karpenos. "Wearing a color that aligns with your astrological sign—or the qualities you want to embody—can help amplify that energy in your day-to-day life."
Ahead, the best nail color for each zodiac sign. Let the stars do their thing, and let us find your next mani inspo.
Aries
Burgundy, cherry red, classic red
"Bold, fearless Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of action and desire," says Karpenos. "A classic red captures this fire sign's dynamic energy, projecting their inner flame with passion and confidence." Opting for a bright or bold red mani will align perfect with that fiery Aries energy.
Taurus
Sage green, matcha green
"Taurus is sensual and grounded, and green reflects this earth sign's connection to nature and stability," explains Karpenos A subtle, green polish will reflect their soothing and subdued vibe, and reflect it upon those around them.
Gemini
Butter yellow, olive green, pistachio green
"Playful, witty, and ever-changing, Gemini shines in vibrant, lighthearted hues," suggest Karpenos. "Yellow sparks their mental agility, while green evokes their mental nature." And lucky for Geminis, understated butter yellow and olive green are two of the biggest nail color trends right now.
Cancer
Pearlescent white, silver, lilac, lavender
"Cancer, a Moon-ruled water sign, is emotionally intuitive, mystical, and nurturing," says Karpenos. "Soft, luminous shades like pearl and silver mirror their inner depth and calming presence." Any metallic color or iridescent finish (like chrome or cat eye) will perfectly encapsulate their moonlit nature.
Leo
Peachy orange, bright orange, yellow
"Leos love to shine, so their nails should mirror the brilliance and warmth of the sun," says Karpenos. Think: radiant golds, glowing oranges, or anything that exudes their vibrant confidence. "As a Leo, I feel most confident when I’m wearing orange," explains Karpenos. "Whether it's on my nails or in my outfit, it instantly energizes and empowers me. This is how I channel my fiery, creative Sun sign."
Virgo
Taupe, sandy beige, moss green
"Grounded and rooted, Virgo thrives in understated, clean tones," suggest Karpenos. "Softer shades of green reflect their healing aura, while taupes and beiges keeps things minimalistic and classic." You can't go wrong with an earthy-esque manicure for the effortless earth sign.
Libra
Blush pink, lavender, French manicures
"Libra gravitates toward soft, classic hues," says Karpenos. "Blush pink represents their romantic ideals, and lavender supports their love of balance and peace, and French manicures are always a timeless choice." Libra is basically the epitome of a classic manicure, and these are the shades that perfectly capture their vibe.
Scorpio
Ocean blue, navy, black
"Intense and magnetic, Scorpio’s ideal shades are mysterious and bold," says Karpenos, and these blue nails capture that perfectly. "Shades of blue also complement this water sign beautifully, echoing their emotional depth and calm presence."
Sagittarius
Indigo, forest green, purple
"Adventurous and free-spirited, Sagittarians are drawn to bold, expansive colors," Karpenos says. "Purple reflects their philosophical side, and because Sagittarians feel at home in nature and the mountains, forest green resonates with their inner adventurer." Okay as a Sag, no wonder I'm in a continous relationship with purple nails.
Capricorn
Nudes, charcoal gray, French manicures
"Capricorn’s strength is in their understated sophistication," says Karpenos. "Gray reflects their professionalism and ambition, while nude tones keep things timeless." As a Capricorn, you really can't go wrong with any elevated take on a classic hue.
Aquarius
Iridescent hues, teal, electric blue, silver
"Quirky and independent, Aquarius is drawn to funky or unexpected shades," explains Karpenos. "Teal reflects their originality, and silver channels their cosmic, future-forward mindset." If you wanna go full Aquarius energy, combining sparkles with blues will completely embody this sign.
Pisces
Seafoam green, lilac, aquamarine, baby blues
"Pisces is anciently ruled by Jupiter and modernly ruled by Neptune, so ethereal, ocean-inspired shades like seafoam or lilac tap into their gentle, dreamy nature," says Karpenos. And what's more aquatic than a mermaid-esque combination of these shades?!
Meet the Expert
Daniela Karpenos is a New York City-based astrologer and founder of Cosmic Latte.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
