The 90’s were filled with some of the most iconic fashion trends. From perms to crimping, and from scrunchies to chokers, we look back on those fashion trends with a mix of fondness and horror. One accessory that is often overlooked though is nail polish colours. Below we have outlined the top 10 must have nail polish colours of the 90’s!
1. Baby Blue
2. Burgundy
3. Frosty White
4. Mint Green
5. Purple Shimmer
6. Glitter All The Way!
7. Matte Red
8. Deep Plum
9. Silver Sparkle
10. Navy
When it comes to nail polish, we all know that it is important to keep up with the newest trends. I mean, what girl doesn’t want to be the first one on the block to sport that new shade of [Yves Saint Laurent]? Well, the 90’s were no different.
The 1990’s was a decade of many wild trends. From scrunchies to overalls, the fashion of this decade was something else. But most importantly, the nail polish colours in this decade were all kinds of awesome.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most popular nail polish colours and trends of the 90’s.
The 90’s were a fantastic time for fashion, music and culture. At the time, people didn’t realize just how important that era was and we are only now realizing it because of all the styles, music and beauty trends coming back. The same goes for nail polish, in the 90’s there were certain shades that you absolutely had to have and then, out of nowhere, they just stopped being worn. So many colours like these deserve a comeback and I hope that this blog will help influence those decisions!
I am going to start off with one of my favourite shades of the 90’s which is silver holographic. If you are anything like me then you will remember how it was extremely hard to find this shade in stores. That’s why I would always go to my local beauty supply store to find it instead. I remember having some of my best times getting ready for school with this nail polish on because it made me feel so confident about myself. In our generation today, we tend to see silver as an older colour but in the 90’s it was very much a trend that everyone wanted to be a part of.
Now let us take a look at some of the other shades that were very popular:
In the 90’s, as many of us know, everything was just a little bit cooler. The clothes were more colourful and less restricted by society norms. The music was unique and everyone had a favourite band that they followed religiously. The same could be said for nail polish colours and trends in the 90’s. Starting with the dark purples and blues that the scene kids loved to the bright pinks and glitter that the girly girls loved, the 90’s had it all.
To start off, let’s talk about the colour purple. Purple was one of the most popular colours in the 90’s. Many people would use it to create different styles on their nails, such as half moons or negative space nails (which are both very popular now). You could find this colour in almost every brand and store out there, making it an easy colour to find and purchase.
The second colour that dominated throughout this decade was blue. In fact, blue nail polish was known to be one of the most popular colours worn by men during this time (and still is today). Blue could also be found in almost any store or brand, which made it very accessible to everyone. It has also been said that blue nail polish was used to symbol
Once upon a time, in the 90’s, there was an outrageous amount of nail polish colours to choose from. Including basic colours such as yellow, pink, blue and green. There were also some crazy colours that are still talked about to this day; any guesses?
Some of the craziest colours include:
1. Bright blue
2. Neon green
3. Baby pink
4. Dark orange
5. Pastel purple
6. Red with white polka-dots (like peppermint candy)
Dark and mysterious. This was the theme for the 90’s, and it wasn’t only about clothes and make up.
The nail polish colours of the 90’s were nothing like the bright, cheerful shades that we see today.
Instead it was all about dark and mysterious colours, from almost black to dark browns and reds.
If you weren’t wearing a colour in the darker range then you don’t belong in the 90’s!
We think these darker shades are making a comeback, especially for autumn/winter.
Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer in Yummy Mummy
This shade is a peachy pink that works great for any season. It’s a little bit more subtle than many of the other shades on this list, but it still gives you that “I just came back from vacation and got a manicure” look. I always wear this shade as my first coat and then top it with a brighter, more colorful color to add some extra dimension.
Love & Beauty Nail Polish in Lavender
I love this shade because it is bright enough to add a pop of color to your look, but the lavender base tone keeps it from being too overpowering. This is another one that I like to layer over my Yummy Mummy shade to make the color appear richer (it looks fabulous over Essie’s Lilacism too!).
Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers
If you are looking for something truly classic, then this is the polish for you! Most of the time I like to go for brighter colors, but sometimes you just need to give your nails a rest! This polish is super sheer which makes it perfect for those times when you want to look polished without looking like you are trying too