Black Gel Polish Shades

Black is the workhorse of a nail desk. It is a colour in its own right, the sharpest base under a cat eye or a chrome, the line in a graphic design and the starting point for a matte. It is also the colour that punishes a thick coat, so it is worth knowing which black you are buying and how to apply it.

This page puts every black and near-black gel we sell in one place, from solid black to the deepest shades, so you can compare them together. Each opens on its own product page with the shade selected. Looking for something lighter? Nude, milky white and red have pages of their own, and the full range is in gel polish.

Black as a base

A black base gives the strongest contrast under effect gels. Under a magnetic cat eye gel it makes the line sharpest and brightest, because nothing pale shows through to compete with it; the cat eye guide shows the method. Under chrome powder it gives the deepest mirror. In both cases cure the black fully before the effect goes on.

Thin coats cure through

Dark pigment absorbs light, and a thick layer of black can cure on the surface while staying soft underneath. Use thin coats, one at a time, and cure each for the full time on a lamp that is still putting out what it should; see nail lamps if you suspect yours has faded. Two thin coats are better than one thick one, and you will rarely need three.

Clean edges matter more

Black shows every smudge on the skin and the cuticle line. Wipe any stray gel off with a brush and a little cleanser before the lamp, and cap the free edge so it does not chip there. If a set lifts, the cause is almost always preparation; why gel polish lifts goes through it.

Ways to wear it

• Matte black. A matte top coat turns black soft and velvety. The matte top coat guide covers the method, and the Viraa Pro Russian Matte Top Coat does it.
• Black French. A black tip on a nude base is a graphic update of the French, drawn with a fine liner from the nail art brushes.
• Black and white. The most searched combination for nail designs. Pair it with the pale shades on the milky white page.
• Black and gold or red. Black with a gold accent or a red tip is a classic evening set; see red and gold.

Line work with black

Black is the colour most used in thin lines, dots and outlines, which is a brush question. A fine liner holds a point and draws a straight line; our guide to which brush for which job explains the choice.

For a salon

A salon runs through black quickly. For bulk prices on whole ranges, see wholesale, and for top and base coats, top and base coat.