9 Classic Nail Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Cosmo Editors and a Celebrity Manicurist

"Rouge Noir is pure ’90s nostalgia,” Gerstein says. “It makes me think of Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction, French fashion editors, and a late-night glass of red wine.” But the real reason the Bordeaux shade hits the mark and has earned the title of a manicure classic is its perfectly pigmented, almost-black red hue, which feels both elegant and mysterious. Gerstein likens the ultra-glossy, luxe color to one that makes anyone wearing it look like they know something you don’t. “Julianne Moore always makes sure that I have this shade in my kit for her.”

Finding the perfect, shiny coral-red can be challenging, especially since so many read as too orange. But this fan favorite is the ultimate bright, poppy red. Perfect to wear on vacation or as your everyday manicure color, Gerstein says the shade looks incredible on warm undertones and tan or deeper skin tones. “It’s a bright, spicy, and unapologetically fun power color. Every time I paint someone’s nails with it, they sit up a little straighter because it has that vacation-energy-in-a-bottle feeling.” If the bold, punchy color is too much for your nails, Gerstein recommends wearing it as a pedicure for a less-in-your-face look.

This beautiful, bright royal blue color is bold enough to stand out in a sea of cobalt hues. In fact, it’s so unique and such a tried-and-true shade that Gerstein says when the color was discontinued, fans of it protested for its return, albeit slightly tweaked. “It’s the perfect bold shade that somehow works for everyone and is always a vibe.” Gerstein likes the playful yet chic non-seasonal universal blue, which is complementary to all skin tones, on short and long nails for winter and summer nail designs for an instant boost of confidence and glam.

If you’re not quite ready to commit to dark polish on your fingernails, you can tip-toe into the pool of sultry shades with this tried-and-true classic warm-toned smoky gray. The staple color’s purple and taupe undertones give it depth, so it pops, especially when paired with metallic accessories. “I love this color year-round, and it works especially well when you want something that’s subtle but still fashion forward,” Gerstein says. “Put simply, it’s understated sexy.” And who doesn’t want that?

Not all white nail polishes are created equal—some are too sheer, while others are too opaque and chalky looking. But this best-selling, soft, and airy milky white polish is a must-have for a naked nail aesthetic. It’s also the epitome of a classic-looking white that works equally well as a solid color, a white-tipped French manicure, or as the background for nail art. Gerstein says the ultra-versatile color is impossibly chic with its sheer cream, glossy perfection. “It serves the same energy every season and gives the nails that cloud-filtered glow. The color is the epitome of pure quiet luxury.”

Consider Dior Rouge 999 the perfect red nail polish because the universally flattering color has the right amount of blue and orange tones. Oozing sophistication and luxury, this go-to rich, glossy red is the ultimate nail color for creating an expensive-looking manicure with a flawless finish, which is why it’s Gerstein’s go-to for instant elegance. “Since the color is so beautifully balanced, it looks good on every single skin tone, including fair tones with some sallowness,” she adds. Rouge 999 works as a classic everyday red but also effortlessly pairs with more glam nighttime looks, so your nails will match any outfit.

This best-selling white pearl color is the one to reach for when a supersmooth pearlescent shimmer is in order. Gerstein says Sylph is the perfect romantic-looking shade that gives nails a soft, iridescent, fairy-like look without feeling the least bit childish. “It’s a nod to 1950s nostalgic pearl nails but has a dreamy, almost ethereal, floaty vibe to it,” she adds. Whether worn on its own or layered over another color for the viral glazed donut effect, the sheer yet buildable color still allows the natural nails to peek through, so you can really see the shift in hues.