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Whether you’re after classic elegance or a manicure that matches every outfit on your next summer getaway, a high-gloss, nude polish is never a bad idea. But, when the hue is slightly off, much like a nude lipstick, it can make skin look washed out instead of tan and vibrant. The trick to avoiding such a beauty blunder is to pick nude polish with your undertones in mind.
As a general rule of thumb, fair skin pairs best with nudes boasting cool blue undertones, medium skin tones look good with pink-y beige colors to help brighten the overall tone, olive tones should choose nudes with beige and brown undertones, and dark skin can pull off pretty much anything.
Now that you’ve brushed up on the basics, are you ready to find the best nude nail polish for your skin tone? Keep reading to learn more.
Featured Experts
- Liliana Pennington is the director of education for LONDONTOWN
- Mazz Hanna is a celebrity manicurist and the CEO of Nailing Hollywood CEO
A Simple Trick for Picking the Best Nude Nail Polish
Let’s be real, even with general undertone advice, scouring the nail-polish aisle for the best nude nail polish can feel daunting—there are just so many shades and brands to choose from. Luckily, there’s a two-second hack that will make picking the perfect shade for your skin tone easier than ever, and it doesn’t require swiping every shade onto your fingertips in the middle of Sephora.
Once you’ve narrowed your nude polishes down to a few top contenders director of education for LONDONTOWN Liliana Pennington says to hold each bottle up against the middle of your palms. The reason? Your palms best represent your overall skin tone (even if you’re sporting a summer glow). “If the nude shade looks good against your palm, then it’s a good match,” she says. “If not, pick something else.”
The Importance of Undertones
If you have the same overall skin tone as your girlfriend next to you, but the polish that looks killer on you makes her skin look sallow, Pennington explains that this is because nudes (and skin tones) are all about the undertones, and they can make a world of difference. “You can have two women with medium-to-tan skin, but one may have pink undertones and the other olive, so a polish that looks good on one won’t necessarily complement the other.”
In this instance, you’ll want to employ the palm trick. Another way you can determine your undertones is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they look green, you have warm undertones; if they look blue, you have cool undertones.
If you’re still not 100-percent sure of your skin’s undertones or you’re in a pinch and need to buy a polish online, look for a polish known to complement many different skin tones (they’re rare, but they do exist). “LONDONTOWN’s cult-favorite hues, Mauve Over ($16) and Teatime ($16), flatter multiple skin tones, which is why they are universally appealing,” Pennington says.
If you have a bit more time to experiment with nude nail polishes, though, we’re here to help. Ahead, with insight from manicurist and Nailing Hollywood CEO Mazz Hanna, find the best nude nail polishes for every skin tone.
Best Nude Nail Polish for Fair Skin
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Looking for a barely-there hint of color for fair skin? “Essie Ballet Slippers is a classic sheer pale pink that adds elegance without overwhelming pale skin tones,” Hanna says.
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If durable, long-lasting manicures are more your thing, reach for The Gel Bottle’s French Bloom. “It’s a soft peachy nude with a sheer finish that flatters pale skin,” Hanna says. (P.S. French Bloom is also a fabulous non-alcoholic wine, perfect for summer evenings on the deck.)
3 / 5
CC Cream in makeup is a complexion product designed to tint and perfect skin but not fully conceal it—this polish is like that but in nail form. “Gelcare Nude BB Cream is a neutral sheer beige that is perfect for those looking for a natural but noticeable, clean manicure,” Hanna says.
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Leaning a bit more pink? Consider Dazzle Dry’s Peacefully Me. “It’s a sheer pale pink with warm undertones,” Hanna says. “I love Dazzle Dry’s innovative formula. It’s perfect for at-home manicures since it applies and removes like regular polish but wears for much longer. Plus, it dries completely solid within five minutes of applying.”
5 / 5
For a peachier pale pink nail look, Hanna suggests Dazzle Dry’s Not Quite Nude. “It’s a full-coverage peachy pink that gives a natural, healthy look to pale nails,” she says.
Best Nude Nail Polish for Light Skin
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Bubble Bath is one of the most universally flattering nude nail polishes on the market. That said, Hanna thinks it works particularly well for light skin tones. “OPI Bubble Bath is a soft pink nude that works well for most skin tones but compliments light skin tones beautifully,” she explains.
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If you have neutral or warm skin tones, consider Olive & June’s JO. The dusty apricot shade straddles warm and cool tones for a polish that looks beautiful on just about everyone.
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Prefer a more mauve manicure? Hanna likes the looks of The Gel Bottle’s Petal on light skin. The ashy, soft pink polish works particularly well for folks with cool undertones.
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If you enjoy luxury beauty, buy a bottle of Dior Vernis in the shade Ruban. “Ideal for light skin, it’s a light pink with a hint of shimmer that provides a fun twist on a traditional nude polish.”
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Another Dior shade Hanna is a big fan of for light skin? Nude. “It’s a classic warm nude with a touch of pink undertones, perfect for a natural look,” she says.
Best Nude Nail Polish for Medium Skin
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If you have medium skin with warm undertones, Hanna recommends reaching for Manucurist’s Beige. The sheer, warm shade is buildable, so you can tailor it to your preference.
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Gelcare’s Rose Georgette is another sheer nude nail polish that Hanna can’t sing enough praise for. “It is a semi-sheer baby pink that is great for those looking for a soft, elegant look,” she says, noting that it can create a beautiful contrast against warm undertones.
3 / 5
Manucurist’s Dove Beige is a darker nude nail polish that works well with medium skin tones. “It is a beige with a hint of grey with a creamy finish that pairs beautifully with other colors, making it easier to pick out an outfit that won’t clash with your nails,” Hanna says.
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Deborah Lippmann’s Brand New Day is beloved by hundreds of shoppers for its toasted taupe tones that pair well with light, medium and dark skin tones alike. The best part? It’s designed to wear like a gel but removes like a regular polish.
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In the same family as Brand New Day (but a bit lighter in shade), we have Dazzle Dry’s Textbook—another one of Hanna’s go-to’s. It’s a warm, opaque nude that looks picture-perfect with two coats.
Best Nude Nail Polish for Dark Skin
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Hanna is a huge fan of essie’s Mink Muffs for dark skin tones, but it has recently been discontinued. Thankfully, LONDONTOWN’s Natural Charm is a close dupe. “It’s a taupe with a hint of mauve, perfect for a chic and sophisticated look,” Hanna says of Mink Muffs.
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Darker skin tones don’t necessitate dark nude nail colors. According to Hanna, Gelcare’s Apricot Oil is a stunning sheer nude polish for dark skin tones. “It’s a sheer nude that gives off a subtle warm glow that compliments dark skin tones beautifully,” she adds.
3 / 5
If, however, you want to rock a saturated nude nail look that coincides with your skin tone, Hanna says that Gelcare’s Espresso is a fantastic option. “It’s a rich dark brown with cool undertones, ideal for dark skin tones,” she says.
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Mauve nail colors also make dark skin tones pop. “Manucurist’s Shell Beige is a delicate pinkish beige that beautifully compliments dark skin tones,” Hanna says. “It has a creamy finish that will give off a polished look.”
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If you like the idea of dark neutral nails to match your dark skin tone but have warm undertones, Hanna recommends ORLY’s Double Espresso. “It’s a deep chestnut brown with a creme finish, providing a sophisticated and polished look for dark skin tones,” she says. “The ORLY Breathable formula is infused with vitamins and oils that help keep your nails healthy and prevent chipping and peeling.”
At the End of the Day
As helpful as undertone guidance can be when selecting beauty products and nail polishes, it all boils down to personal preference. “It’s important to keep in mind that these are just complimentary shades, so don’t be afraid to pick what makes you feel best,” Hanna says. “In general, sheer nudes like OPI Bubble Bath, Essie Ballet Slippers and Dazzle Dry Peacefully Me are really beautiful on all skin tones since a little bit of your natural skin tone will shine through the sheerness.”
