I hated my feet for most of my life, to the point that when ‘toe exposure’ season (aka spring/summer) rolls around, I dreaded the thought of slipping on sandals. However, if there’s one thing that perks my toes up, it’s a good pedicure. So I made it my mission to do regular pedis — sometimes at a nail salon, but mostly at home with my toolkit and a handful of polishes on rotation.
It’s made a huge difference to how confident I feel when I look down. In Pilates classes, changing rooms, or when I unexpectedly have to wear an open-toe heel, I don’t have to worry that my feet look ghastly.
I highly recommend having a small pedi kit at home. It doesn’t break the bank and keeps your tootsies looking pretty year-round. Alongside this, I have a selection of pedicure nail colours I swear by. As I exclusively get gel manicures at the salon, these are my go-to toe shades — super flattering and genuinely suited to every skin tone (trust me — my mum and friends regularly dip into the selection when they come over).
So, here are the most flattering pedicure colours to choose from, whether you’re battling decision fatigue at the salon or planning your own at-home pedi.
Flattering pedicure colours
Tomato red
Like a punchy red lipstick, a bright red toe shade acts as an accessory — it instantly elevates a simple or neutral outfit. As long as the pigment is strong, it flatters every skin tone. Yes, even without a tan — in fact, it looks especially beautiful against very fair skin.
Burgundy
If bright red feels like too much, consider burgundy: a universally flattering shade that works across the board. It’s essentially a neutral. Because it leans slightly brown, it suits everyone. Crucially, if you have any nail damage you want to disguise, burgundy is perfect for covering it.
French tip
A classic for a reason: a delicate French tip on your toes (aka a super-thin line) is universally flattering. You’ll need a square shape on your big toe to carry the design, though, so if you’ve recently broken a nail, you might want to try another shade until it grows long enough to shape.
Navy
Blue nails aren’t universally loved, but navy is the exception — it looks good on everyone. Black can feel a bit harsh, but navy is softer and incredibly chic.
Olive green
Green isn’t always the most wearable, but olive hits the sweet spot. Its balanced tone (not too warm, not too cool) works across undertones, and it’s often flecked with gold or silver shimmer, giving your feet a subtle glow.
Milky white
Emphasis on milky. A stark white can look harsh on very pale or very deep skin tones, but a softer, creamier version suits everyone — especially if your feet have a bit of a tan. Consider this your pre-holiday go-to.
Coral
Of all the pinks, coral is the most universally flattering. Whether you opt for neon or pastel, it won’t clash with pinker undertones in lighter skin or appear ashy on deeper tones.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
