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Nude nail polish is the little black dress of nails. There’s one to complement every skin tone, and you can wear it year-round. And, if you choose a sheer shade, it’s also low-maintenance because it’s not as obvious when it chips. “Classic nude nails are timeless!” says celebrity nail artist Sarah Chue. “Options could range from sheer, jelly, milky, pinky, beige, creamy-white, or opaque. Nude is not a seasonal color—it’s great for any occasion!”
Featured Experts
- Elle, a celebrity nail artist
- Rita Remark, a nail artist and global lead educator for essie
- Sarah Chue, a celebrity nail artist at Exclusive Artists
How to Choose the Right Nude Nail Color for Your Skin Tone
Nail artist Rita Remark recommends choosing a polish color that is two shades lighter or darker than your natural skin tone. “Doing so will avoid mannequin-like hands,” she says. “For example, if you have a foundation shade that you love, make sure your nail color is two shades darker or lighter. You can also use your mother’s trick. If silver jewelry looks good on you, you have cool undertones. Therefore, you should opt for cooler blue tones and neutrals with a cool pink or gray undertone. If gold jewelry looks good, you have warmer undertones. Opt for neutral shades with more peachy, sandy or apricot undertones. If gold or silver looks good, odds are you have neutral skin tones and can get away with anything.”
How to Prep Your Nails for Nude Nail Polish
In order to make a manicure look great and last, Elle says the prep has to be done beforehand and it has to be perfect. “Begin by scrubbing your nails with an antibacterial soap—think of it like washing your face,” she explains. “Let your nails dry and then use isopropyl alcohol—75 percent and up—to clean your nails. This will act like an astringent and bring your nails to the proper pH level. It will also eliminate any dust and debris from your nail. Doing this will create a flawless, ultra-glossy, long-lasting and fast-drying manicure.”
Elle says that contrary to what we might think, acetone does not actually clean the nails. “Acetone actually leaves debris on the nails and causes nail polishes to chip faster or not to dry,” she explains. “It’s like painting on oil, which never dries. The proper prep also includes using a rubbery base coat like ORLY Bonder ($13). And when you’re done with your color, always finish with an amazing topcoat like Mineral Fusion Top Coat ($9).”
The Best Classic Nude Nail Shades
1 / 10
According to the brand, this “barely there, soft beige-pink polish is perfect for an effortless, beachy look.” Remark says this creamy, vegan formula is a great pick for both pale skin and dark skin tones. “This shade is very versatile. It will never go out of style and always makes your nails look effortlessly chic.” It’s also available in gel.
2 / 10
This sheer, neutral pink is one of the brand’s top sellers and the perfect shade for a French manicure. Plus, the brand’s signature Florium Complex (a blend of botanical extracts and plant oils) gives the polish chip-resistant wear.
3 / 10
A nude nail polish with Spanish flair, this warm shade looks beautiful on olive skin tones, but suits so many others, too. One thing we love about OPI is that the color doesn’t fade as you wear it, and this shade stays true for at least a week.
4 / 10
The brand describes this hue as “a soft neutral pink with light brown undertones in a milky creme base.” It’s a universally flattering nude that leans a little more pink, but still feels warm.
5 / 10
If you want the rich, cushiony effect of a gel polish without having to cure it, this gel-like polish is one of our top picks. This sheer beige shade is a staple for any well-rounded nail polish collection and complements any outfit in any season.
6 / 10
For serious shine, opt for this creamy nude nail lacquer that has cool undertones. On darker skin tones, it will really pop, especially with its glassy finish.
7 / 10
This opaque, beige shade features the brand’s “Green” formula, which uses 84-percent bio-sourced ingredients like potato, corn, yuca and cotton. The brand says, “it has a hint of orange and a gorgeous pinky shimmer,” and calls it a “sandy beige.”
8 / 10
Part of the brand’s Goop Collection, this “creamy tan that is the epitome of understated sophistication.” Founder Jin Soon Choi says that this shade is ideal for dark skin. “Taupe, smoky nudes like Demure balance out the warm hues of this skin tone.”
9 / 10
Founder Sarah Gibson Tuttle named this creamy, “ever-so-slightly toasted neutral” after Mandy Moore. “We share a mutual love for the perfect neutral mani, so naming this polish after her felt pretty meant to be!”
10 / 10
A neutral nail color that works on any skin tone, this creamy, semi-sheer nude ties any look together. It’s that subtle finishing touch, and it also works really well as a base for nail art.
