This Understated Nail Polish Is All Over My Feed Right Now, and It's Beautiful
Considering I’m someone who doesn’t have particularly great nails, I spend a lot of time scrolling through Instagram, saving down every nail trend shot that comes my way. However, despite spending the last year pinning and saving every intricate nail-art pic and bright rainbow mani on my feed, the truth is that I like to play it safe with my nail looks. From muted beiges to barely-there pinks, I’m all about minimalism.
And that has never been truer than it is right now. Without having my go-to nail technicians on hand to execute my mani looks of dreams, I am more inclined than ever before to reach for muted, sheer formulas that complement my shaky application skills. Luckily for me, it just so happens that such polishes are having a serious moment right now, with well-preened, perfectly polished, and bare-looking nails taking centre stage (and proving a welcome relief for us minimalists after a year of rainbow brights being everywhere we looked). In fact, one particular muted polish is having a serious moment.
It seems like just about every fashion and beauty girl on my feed right now is snapping up Dior's Base Coat Abricot. And its popularity is showing, with retailers selling out of the stuff left, right, and centre. The reason for this frenzy? Nail expert of the moment (and manicurist to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, no less) Harriet Westmoreland. After many months of maximalist nail trends, Westmoreland’s flawlessly muted nail looks have been all beauty buffs can talk about. And yep, you guessed it—she has been singing the praises of Dior's Base Coat Abricot, calling it "A perfect natural polish’" in her Instagram posts.
I’ve got to admit that I’m sold. Trying to find the perfect sheer polish that doesn’t deliver too much pigment and leaves nails looking naturally healthy and preened is no mean feat (trust me—I’ve spent years trying to find it), and it seems Dior unintentionally hit the nail on the head. Though it is technically a base coat to be used under your polish of choice, Westmoreland simply applies three coats of the base on its own and finishes up with a gel-finish topcoat to achieve the ultimate super-shiny, natural-looking mani.
So if you’re anything like me and are desperate to embrace the new low-key, minimal nail aesthetic, look no further. After years of testing and trialling every blush-coloured polish around, I can officially say my search is over. Not too sheer (but by no means opaque), not too pink (and definitely not beige either), and perfectly layerable, it turns out that the dream polish does exist.
Shop More Understated Polishes
Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.
-
Kate Middleton Just Wore the Fall Color That's Trendy, Elegant, and Expensive-Looking
The princess looks so chic.
By Erin Fitzpatrick
-
Kaia Gerber Just Wore a Classic J.Crew Cashmere Sweater With Leggings and Jeans
It's temporarily on sale.
By Allyson Payer
-
3 Fast Facts to Know About Celine's New Artistic Director, Michael Rider
A new era.
By Erin Fitzpatrick