If you’re looking for a neutral, earthy nail color that complements your skin tone, brown nail polish is a perfect choice. Brown tones are universally flattering and create a gorgeous manicure at any time of year.<\/p>\n
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Mix various shades of nail polish together like red, black, orange or purple to create a custom brown shade<\/b>. The more colors you combine, the more complex the brown tone will be.<\/p>\n
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about making brown nail polish at home. We’ll cover how to mix different nail polish colors, what nail colors combine into brown tones, tips for getting the right brown shade, and steps for creating your own custom DIY brown nail polish.<\/p>\n
Chestnut brown is a beautiful deep reddish brown color that looks great on nails. It’s created by mixing together red and black nail polish. The red adds vibrancy while the black deepens the color and gives it that rich brown tone. Here’s a great chestnut brown nail polish recipe to try at home:<\/p>\n
When selecting the red and black polishes, go for shades with a cream or pearl finish rather than shimmer, as this will result in a smoother chestnut brown. An awesome tip is to use a deep oxblood red rather than a bright red, as this will create a more natural, earthy chestnut tone. <\/p>\n
Chestnut brown nail polish is a versatile color that suits any skin tone. It’s an elegant neutral that transitions beautifully from day to night. For a more casual daytime look, pair it with khakis or denim. At night, chestnut brown nails complement little black dresses perfectly.<\/p>\n
This shade is ideal for the autumn and winter months, when deeper, warmer colors are on trend. Feel sophisticated and put-together with chestnut brown polish on your fingers and toes!<\/p>\n
Caramel brown is a mouthwatering light brown nail polish color that resembles the delicious confection. It’s made by blending orange and black polish together. The orange lightens the black and infuses it with warmth, while the black grounds the orange and creates that gorgeous caramel tone.<\/p>\n
Follow this easy at-home recipe:<\/p>\n
When choosing your orange and black polishes, look for creamy opaque shades rather than shimmery translucent colors, as these will make the best caramel. A burnt orange or copper color is ideal, as they aren’t too bright.<\/p>\n
For the black, go for a deep charcoal rather than jet black, as you want the caramel to remain on the lighter side.<\/p>\n
Caramel brown nails are perfect for spring and summer, when lighter, warmer tones are most on-trend. This playful polish color looks beautiful on all skin tones and provides the perfect neutral base for nail art. Try accenting your caramel tips with white polka dots or metallic gold stripes.<\/p>\n
For an easy daytime style, pair caramel brown nails with light wash denim and a flowing midi dress. Caramel brown is sure to satisfy your nail polish sweet tooth!<\/p>\n
Mocha brown nail polish is a sophisticated deep chocolate brown color made by mixing together purple and black. The purple undertones give mocha brown its decadent chocolatey hue, while the black grounds it and adds dramatic depth. Follow this recipe for sensational mocha brown nails:<\/p>\n
Aim for a deep eggplant or plum purple rather than a pale lilac, as you want the purple to make a real impact. For the black, go for a true jet black for maximum intensity. The deeper the shades, the richer your mocha brown will turn out.<\/p>\n
Mocha brown nails are ideal for the colder fall and winter months when deeper, moodier shades are on-trend. This color is extremely versatile – polish it on for a day at the office, or glam it up for a night out.<\/p>\n
For a sophisticated daytime look, pair mocha brown tips with a turtleneck, tailored trousers, and ballerina flats. At night, mocha brown nails complement velvet dresses and lend a touch of drama. Take your neutral brown mani up a notch with this dark chocolate delight!<\/p>\n
Achieving the perfect shade of brown nail polish can require some trial and error. However, following some key tips can help streamline the process of mixing custom browns.<\/p>\n
An ideal base for brown nail polish is a very deep shade like black, midnight blue or dark purple. These darker colors will allow you to build up the brown tones on top. Going with black is a safe bet since it goes with everything, but experimenting with different bases can lead to nuanced brown shades.<\/p>\n
Once your base color is applied, add very small drops of lighter colors like bright red, orange, yellow or purple. Adding colors with warm undertones can help achieve a rich, natural brown. Start with just 1-2 drops of the lighter shades initially.<\/p>\n
Always better to add more later than go overboard up front.<\/p>\n
Experts recommend avoiding heavily pigmented colors like neon or pastel shades when mixing browns. The vibrancy of these colors can easily overwhelm more neutral tones (see this Cosmo article<\/a> for more mixing tips).<\/p>\n After adding secondary colors to your base polish, stir thoroughly with a thin stick or nail file. You want the colors to blend completely so the brown shade looks uniform when painted on nails. Insufficient mixing can lead to blotchy, disjointed color results.<\/p>\nMix colors thoroughly before painting nails<\/h3>\n