What does white toenail polish mean?

Why white toes are so popular

• It shows off a tan. Bright white next to tanned skin is the strongest contrast a pedicure can give.
• It looks clean. White reads as fresh and tidy, which is why it is a favourite for summer and the beach.
• It goes with everything, from a bare beach look to a dressed-up evening.
• It photographs well. On camera, white polish picks up light and makes the toes stand out.

The rumours, and what to make of them

On social media and in forum threads you will find claims that white toenails mean something: that a woman is single, adventurous or "a little wild". These are running jokes. There is no shared code behind a polish colour, and reading one into a stranger's pedicure says more about the person reading it.

What other colours are said to mean

The same kind of talk exists for every shade. Take it as fashion, not as a message:

• Red: the classic. Confident, feminine, never out of season.
• Nude and natural: understated, "no-effort" care.
• French tips: polished and a little formal; a wedding and holiday favourite.
• Black: bold, a bit edgy; popular in autumn and winter.
• Pastels such as mint or baby blue: playful, spring and summer.
• Glitter: party feet; it shows best in close-ups.

A clean white pedicure

White is the least forgiving colour, so the prep matters:

1. Push back the cuticles and file the nails straight across.
2. Use a base coat; white streaks easily on a bare nail.
3. Paint two thin coats rather than one thick one, letting each dry.
4. Clean the skin around the nail with a small brush dipped in remover.
5. Finish with a glossy top coat, and add a coat every few days to keep it bright.

If you sell feet pics

Nail polish is one of the first things fans notice. Name the colour in your clip caption or tags, and shoot polish close-ups in daylight, because indoor lamp light turns white yellow.