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Where Do You Stand on “Matchy-Matchy”?

May 4th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 26 Comments

Nails Lips Color Combination
Wearing Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in Flame on my lips and MAVALA Nail Color Cream in 103 Cobalt Blue

Having just completed my third decade on this planet is making all sorts of existential questions pop inside my head. Like…

Where am I going?

What am I doing?

What is the meaning of life?

Chicken or egg?

Jess or Dean?

To rent, or to buy?

To dream, or to earn?

To match nails and lips, or not to match nails and lips?

The list could go on and on, but I’m sure you’ll agree with me that this last question is the one that needs to be answered first. I mean, how am I supposed to figure out my place in the universe if I can’t even decide what lipstick to pair with my nail color, right? 😉

So, let’s see… In my earlier makeup-loving days, I had a phase when I would often wear red lipstick and red nail polish at the same time, but, now that I think of it, these days I definitely tend to avoid that. Instead, I prefer to use two different shades that go well together. For example, I like pairing orange and blue, like I did today.

I also tend to avoid wearing the same color on my fingers and toes. Something I do pretty often in the summer months is wear a bold shade on my fingers and a neutral on my toes, where my nail polish tends to last longer. This way, when the polish on my fingers chips, I can change it without having to worry about the new shade not matching well with the one on my toes.

Fingers Toes Nail Polish Combinations
L-R: Formula X Nail Color in Monumental, Essie Nail Lacquer in Fifth Avenue, Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer in Doe My Dear, OPI Nail Lacquer in Incognito in Sausalito, Collistar Gloss Nail Lacquer in 521 Caramello Golosa, KIKO Milano Power Pro Nail Lacquer in 07 Peach

Where do you guys stand on the whole “to match or not to match” conundrum? Do you have any favorite color combinations to share with me? Sandal season is just around the corner. I need inspiration! 😉

Carolina Braina


Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

Where Do You Stand on “Matchy-Matchy”? / Originally published May 4th, 2016

There are 26 comments on this post. Leave yours.

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Comments

  1. Marisol says

    May 4th, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    First of all #TeamDean lol, I used to match my nails, with my toes and lips too but I feel so adventurous now that I know that I´m not the only one that does.. how about matching shoes and bag? Ugh…

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 5th, 2016 at 1:13 pm

      You know what’s funny, when I watched Gilmore Girls when it first aired I was Rory’s age and I was totally #TeamJess. But when I rewatched it in more recent years I was like, no way, what a jerk! I still liked him when he came back as an adult, though.
      As for matching shoes and bag, I often do it when it’s colors like black or brown, but if I’m wearing a pop of color (either shoes or bag) I won’t match.
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

      Reply
  2. Becky says

    May 4th, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    I have both feet firmly in the no-matchy camp. Always when it comes to fingers and toes! I’m all about bright teal-blue on the fingers right now and neutral toes. That cobalt blue looks beautiful!
    Becky recently posted … The Book Club – holiday reads for people who don’t do holiday reads

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 5th, 2016 at 1:15 pm

      I don’t think I have any teal-blue nail polishes!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

      Reply
      • Becky says

        May 5th, 2016 at 9:45 pm

        Two words. Illamasqua Venous. It is the one! And such a great nail polish formula too!
        Becky recently posted … The Book Club – holiday reads for people who don’t do holiday reads

        Reply
      • Becky says

        May 5th, 2016 at 9:46 pm

        Two words. Illamasqua Venous. It is the one. And such a great nail polish formula too! Pulling more blue is Essie’s Go Overboard, both are beautiful!
        Becky recently posted … The Book Club – holiday reads for people who don’t do holiday reads

        Reply
        • Carolina Braina says

          May 6th, 2016 at 6:54 am

          Thank you, Becky!
          Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

          Reply
  3. Sara Lumbreras says

    May 5th, 2016 at 12:54 am

    I love red lipstick, and I looooooove matching with red nails. I think matching is classic and elegant (and sexy, hehe). That’s the combination I wear most of the time. However, I also like to clash it with intense blue or green on the nails.

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 5th, 2016 at 1:19 pm

      I loooooove red lipstick, but as I said in the post I don’t really match it with my nails anymore. I love the idea of using intense blue instead!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

      Reply
  4. Alexandria says

    May 5th, 2016 at 2:22 am

    I love to contrast my colors so that it really hits you when you see it. I think that’s a reflection of my personality as well.
    Alexandria recently posted … Acrylic Nail Polish Rack Buying Guide

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 5th, 2016 at 1:21 pm

      It’s great that we can express our personality through makeup, isn’t it?
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

      Reply
  5. Kiss & Make-up says

    May 5th, 2016 at 5:03 am

    I guess I don’t really have a stance. Sometimes I like matching colors, sometimes I mix ‘n match. ‘s All good for me!
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | MAC Pro Beyond Twisted Lash Mascara

    Reply
  6. RAEANNE MADISON says

    May 5th, 2016 at 6:59 am

    I, too, spend waaaay too much time thinking about nail, toe, and lip colors! I tend to go neutral on my nails, bold on my toes, or visa-versa. I have been loving light, pinky neutrals on my lips for Spring, but I’ll definitely throw in a bold color when the mood strikes. I work in a very relaxed casual environment, with occasional business meetings so I’ll usually tone down my lip and nail colors as needed.

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 5th, 2016 at 1:32 pm

      Neutral-bold is probably the safest pairing. I do that a lot with eyes and lips, as well.
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

      Reply
  7. sarahc says

    May 5th, 2016 at 8:07 am

    I’m a firm believe in do what you like, so no matchy matchy unless you want to! My favorite is pastel or light pink nails and gray toes. 🙂

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 5th, 2016 at 1:23 pm

      Ooooh, I love the sound of this!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

      Reply
  8. mave says

    May 5th, 2016 at 8:12 am

    I am all about matchy matchy especially red lips and red nail polish, but sometimes I do like to mix it up with neutrals playing opposite bolder colors. It’s up to how I feel.

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 5th, 2016 at 1:25 pm

      One of the best things about makeup is that we can change it whenever we like, however we like! 😉

      Reply
  9. Erin says

    May 5th, 2016 at 10:48 am

    I don’t have a stance I suppose. You do what you like. For me, I rarely take it into account. I prefer to have something different on my toes and nails entirely. As for my lips, most of my lip shades go with my polish shades as I don’t have that many. The only shade I have trouble with is a peacock green, which usually looks better with a more edited outfit and a cooler toned lip product.
    Erin recently posted … Globerati 2015 Rosé

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 5th, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      I love peacock green, especially on the eyes, but I don’t have any nail polish in that color.
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

      Reply
  10. Lulle says

    May 5th, 2016 at 11:09 am

    I try to use shades that work together (especially for toes/fingernails) but I never match. My grandma used to match…
    Lulle recently posted … Grab it while you can: Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Catfight!

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 5th, 2016 at 1:28 pm

      I think in the past it was practically mandatory! 😉
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

      Reply
  11. Monica P says

    May 5th, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    Sure why not .. I’ll match my eye shadow and lip color .. if I wear a purple type eye, then I’ll probably wear a mauve lip. Or maybe I have pink on my lid and brown in my crease and wear a pink lip .. I think it works out a-ok ( for me anyway ).

    I don’t match nails/toes. My toes are darker nail polish and light polish on my fingers. I may try to coordinate the colors .. but not too often.

    Good topic!

    Monica.
    Monica P recently posted … A Keeper – A Classic Little Black Dress

    Reply
    • Carolina Braina says

      May 6th, 2016 at 6:57 am

      I like coordinating colors on the eyes and lips, too!
      Carolina Braina recently posted … Sisley Phyto Cernes Éclat Eye Concealer & My Makeup Philosophy

      Reply
  12. Rachel R. says

    May 5th, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    I’m 46. Growing up, it was standard practice to match nails and lips. Avon and many other lines had the same exact shades in their lipstick lines as they did in their polish lines. I want to say I didn’t see this changing until the mid-80s. I think matching nails & lips is fine. It can look really professional, polished, and sophisticated. I’m none of those things, so if I match my nails to anything, it’s my clothes. Usually though, I do whatever I want on my nails regardless of whether it will match my clothes or my makeup. I have an eclectic style, so it works. The exception is a special, dressy occasion. Then I will match or at least coordinate. I usually match my finger- and toenails, or at least coordinate them.

    Reply
  13. LindaLibraLoca says

    May 5th, 2016 at 9:26 pm

    I don’t really plan my looks so excessively that I Would coordinate lips and nails. Sometimes they match, sometimes they don’t. As for fingers and toes: I will wear either red or neutral on my toes and experiment on my hands.
    And I never watched Gilmore Girls, so I can’t answer that one.
    But it is egg. Has to be for genetic reasons. You can change the DNA when creating the egg by spontaneous mutation, but what is inside the egg DNA-wise will not change. Just saying.
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Exfoliation – Why, when and with what

    Reply

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Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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