Trend Alert: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark . . . Polish, That Is

If you're going to try a really dark, bold colour on your nails — like heaps of celebs, including Kylie, have been wearing of late — it's not always as easy as it looks. Because while basic black looks fine on everyone, it may not send the message you want. So to help you pick out a shade that'll fulfil your dark desires and look trendy instead of harsh, we've compiled a list . . .

Hint o' red: Try something with a shot of red, like Butter London Nail Lacquer in Old Blighty ($19.94) if you want a colour that's vibrant and sexy, but still on the dark side.

Stay cool: A dark grey or purple is great if you have cool-toned skin because it will complement your natural colouring. Try Chanel Le Vernis in Steel ($39) or ORLY Purple Velvet ($18.95).

Keep reading . . .Brown it down: A rich brown or brown-tinged black is very flattering if you have warm undertones because it brings out the gold and olive in your skin. Try Bloom Nail Polish in Angelina ($19.95).

Get your glitz on: Try a sparkling overlay if you find the flatness of dark colour off-putting. There are many cool shimmer and sparkle effect topcoats out right now, especially the Effects line from CND, and they will lighten things up considerably.