Colour psychology: Discover the mood-boosting meanings behind your nail colour choices

Save time and add an element of fun at the nail desk by advising clients on mood-based hues using colour psychology, advised by experts…

‘Have you decided on a nail shade?’ is a question you may ask daily, as you patiently watch clients rifle through colour pops and swatches. But brushing up on your colour psychology knowledge could be the time-saving answer to your clients’ uncertainty.

What is colour psychology?

Professional psychic medium, tarot reader & witch, Sarah Potter, explains: “Colour subconsciously impacts how we feel, and choosing a particular colour either enhances the energy we already experience, or helps to create the mood we wish to project.

“This is one of the reasons why people wear black when they wish to feel professional and powerful: it’s a highly protective colour that projects a mood of respect and authority, eliciting a self-empowered, confident vibe.”

How can you use it to manifest moods?

Sarah explains manifestation as: ‘the practice of turning an idea into a tangible reality by setting an intention and focusing your thoughts on a desired outcome.’

Post-it notes and affirmations may become things of the past, as nail colours can now serve as daily reminders of goals. Sarah suggests that clients choose a colour with an energy matching their intention, and to think about that intention as the colour is applied. When they glance at their nails throughout each day, they can then consider what they are doing to make their intention come true.

So, which colour to choose?

Yellow

According to Sarah Potter, yellow is instrumental in promoting feelings of joy, happiness and spontaneity. With #yellownails featuring on over 950,000 posts on Instagram, the nail colour appears to be a popular choice for inspiring positivity and productivity.

@vividbeautybydess

Green

Green is commonly associated with envy, but Sarah explains that the colour actually encourages feelings of balance, calm, harmony, growth and renewal. The shade is another popular nail choice, with #greennails boasting an impressive 1.7 million posts on Instagram.

@thenailplugalo

Blue

The ‘blues’ may hold negative connotations, but experts praise the colour for creating feelings of serenity, peace and trust. The hashtag, #bluenails, is the second most popular nail colour option on Instagram, sitting at 3.7 million posts.

@miaminailstudio

Orange

If your client is seeking optimism and enthusiasm, orange is the hue to suggest. The warm, comforting colour has gathered over one million nail-related posts on Instagram, boasting a range of citrusy, flowery and sunset-inspired nail art.

@naileditbeauty

Red

Passion, lust, love and danger are all represented by the colour red. Sophisticated and stylish, #rednails takes first place as the most desired nail colour on Instagram, with a staggering 6.6 million posts under the hashtag.

@setsbyvia

Purple

If your client is low on ambition, purple may be the shade to suggest. With 1.9 million posts using #purplenails, the hashtag offers a wide selection of aesthetically pleasing designs. The hue is associated with luxury, nobility and power, so could be the perfect choice for a special event or interview.

@truebeautybycarrie

Bride-zenna

Nailchemy brand ambassador, Dannika Majewski, put her colour knowledge to the ultimate test when a stressed bride-to-be paid her a visit. The nail pro explains: “She was overwhelmed by wedding preparations and wanted her nails to reflect a sense of tranquillity amidst the chaos. We opted for a delicate, French manicure with white leaf accents. This choice not only complemented her wedding theme, but gave her a sense of peace every time she looked at her hands. It was a beautiful reminder for her to stay calm and enjoy the moment.”

Wedding nails by Dannika Majewski.

Click here to view the full colour psychology feature via Scratch’s digital magazine.