I'm a firm believer that every nail polish collection deserves a variety of nudes. There is nothing more classic than neutral nails—those shades which are considered ever so subtle and sometimes barely noticeable. It's classy, elegant and expensive-looking, and I'm personally a huge fan, as nude polishes complement every skin tone, giving just what they need to give. We've seen the "clean girl" aesthetic take over in the past few years, and when it comes to nails, it's all about neat and neutral. Nudes are set to dominate the nail trends over brights and bolds this year, so get ready to see these naked tones everywhere, from your colleagues to your favourite influencers.
If you’re considering going nude this season, remember to take into consideration your skin tone to find the perfect shade. To help, I reached out to celebrity nail technician Lucy Tucker for some expert advice on how to choose the most flattering shade of nude for different complexions. "I [used to] apply two coats of a sheer pinky-nude colour, but the past few years I've switched to only applying one coat for that chic and glossy 'nearly there' nail look. I tend to use more pinky nudes on olive skin and creamy nudes on paler skin. Brown nude colours suit my clients with a darker skin tone," she says.
If you're in pursuit of the ultimate minimalistic and elegant nails, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for some gorgeous inspo and our edit of the best nude nail polishes, including our editors' very own picks.
Some of Our Favourite Nude Nails Inspo
We’re loving how pretty and clean this looks.
Note how this shade of nude complements the gold rings and the wearer's skin tone. Just perfection!
The right shade of nude can really elongate the nail beds. And that high-shine finish? Yes, please.
The almond shape, the milky shade… need we say more?
Choose a neutral shade and let your jewellery do the talking.
If you’re feeling fancy, opt for a simple nail art design using nude and brown tones on extensions.
Shop the Best Nude Nail Polishes, Including Our Editors' Picks:
1. Nails Inc. Maldives Beach Nude Nail Polish
Nails. Inc stays undefeated when it comes to the prettiest nude colours, infused with AHAs to smooth and hydrate the nails.
2. O.P.I Nail Lacquer in Chocolate Moose
A gorgeous brown nude option for everyone.
3. Alûstre Glossy Nail Polish in 158 Earth
This light yet warm caramel-cream tone gives a dose of luxury, and I love the plumping finish.
4. O.P.I Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath
"I've been looking for the perfect nude nail colour and finally landed on OPI's Bubble Bath. The sheer pink shade looks amazing on my dark skin, giving the perfect 'your nails but better' effect we all want," says Joy Ejaria, social media editor at Who What Wear UK.
5. Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish in Caramel Cupcake
With a super glossy finish, this one gives ultra-shiny nails, and you can't go wrong for under a fiver.
6. O.P.I Nail Lacquer in Tiramisu for Two
"This is my favourite nude polish. OPI describes it as a 'sweet coffee cream' shade, which I'd say is pretty accurate. It's the perfect nude for my fair skin because it has more of a neutral undertone rather than being too pinky, which I find brings a bit more life to my hands and counteracts the redness. It's also nicely opaque, so two coats give great coverage without any streaks," says Georgia Seago, Who What Wear's copy editor.
7. Gucci Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in 212 Annabel Rose
If you want to treat yourself to a nude for a special occasion, Gucci's oozes glamour and opulence.
8. Dior Nail Glow
"I know this is more of a clear rather than a nude polish, but it deserves a shout-out because it’s so good. When I want my nails to look simple, clean and pared-back, I focus on prepping them well (cuticle care is key) before applying two coats of this straight onto the nails. It has a translucent blush tone which sort of lightly tints the nails and revives their natural colour, making them look healthy, bright and shiny. Plus, you don’t have to worry about chipping or peeling—a massive bonus," says Seago.
9. Essie Nail Lacquer in Ballet Slippers
"My ultimate favourite is Essie's Ballet Slippers. It's a pale nude with a subtle pink hue that goes with my skin tone perfectly. If it was ever discontinued, I'd be heartbroken! When I don't opt for this one, I choose OPI's Funny Bunny. It's not quite a nude as it has a whiter base, but is just as gorgeous," says Poppy Nash, Who What Wear's managing editor.
10. Chanel Le Vernis La Base Camélia
"Every time I use this, people always compliment me on how healthy my nails look—the shine is unbeatable, the formula is quick-drying and the overall effect is professional-looking. So much so, it has encouraged me to stick to my month on/month off gel-polish routine," says Maxine Eggenberger, Who What Wear's deputy editor.
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