Whenever I have some extra money to spare, I always treat myself to a manicure and/or pedicure. One of my favorite things to do at the salon looks at the giant wall of nail polishes and search for the perfect color. However, as much as I love finding the right shade of polish at the salon, I actually only own a few bottles myself. On the other hand, I have friends who own huge bags filled with dozens of nail polishes.

{RELATED POST: The Top 9 Hottest Nail Color Trends Right Now}

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But whatever the size of your nail polish collection, there are some colors that every girl should own. So here are our top 5 must-have colors, as well as some tips for finding your perfect shade:

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Red is a timeless shade for your nails; it’s the perfect basic choice that works for both formal and everyday events. A classic red will never go out of style.

Related reading: 17 Beautiful Red Nail Ideas You Can Rock Year-Round

#2 A Pretty Pink

Pink polish screams feminine and is always a popular pick at salons. The color is a great choice for spring or summer and brighter shades really pop against a (hopefully faux) tan.

#3 A No-Nonsense Neutral

A neutral shade is a perfect polish to wear if you want a barely-there look that will never appear over the top. Natural shades of polish are also great choices for conservative workplaces or interviews.

#4 A Mysterious Dark Color

As soon as September hits, I usually switch over to darker-colored polishes and stick with them throughout most of fall and winter. There are lots of options here when it comes to shades – you can go with a bold black or a polish with blue, purple, red, or brown undertones. Dark colors look chicest on shorter nails and require more maintenance than lighter hues because chips are more obvious.

#5 A Color That Makes You Happy

I’m sure most of you know that color can affect your mood, so I think that everyone should own at least one polish color that just makes you happy. It can be your favorite color, a metallic or something with some sparkle. You could even try a trendy polish, if that’s your style!