There was a time when nude nail polish—much like Crayola’s infamous and now-retired Flesh crayon—referred to a single light-toned skin color, overlooking the many shades that nude can truly represent. Thankfully, that era is over. The new nude polishes run the full spectrum of skin tones, and with toned-down “clean girl” manicures and “soap nails” having a major moment, demand has never been higher.
Finding a nude polish that works well with your skin tone is easier than ever, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a perfect match. “Don’t try to match your skin exactly or else you’ll get the dreaded mannequin hands,” says nail artist Miss Pop, referring to the nails that look like an uncannily seamless, matte extension of your fingers. “Instead, look for a color that celebrates your skin’s undertones.”
And that color may surprise you. “Pale, creamy nude tones work well with medium skin tones because they highlight the inherent tan hue of the skin while providing just the right amount of contrast,” nail artist Jin Soon Choi tells Allure. “Dark skin tones can handle the greatest variety of colors,” she says, citing rosy beiges as her favorite for dark skin.
To determine your ideal nude shades, thoroughly examine your entire hand. “Don’t test nail polish just on the back of your hand. Test it against your palm, too,” Miss Pop advises. “Your fingertips tend to be more similar. In my case, my palm and fingertips are ruddy. The back of my hand is a completely different shade.” Read on for expert-approved nude nail polish shade picks for a wide range of skin tones.
Essie Nail Lacquer in Marshmallow
With “soap nails” catching on so strongly, Miss Pop says the looks-great-on-everyone Marshmallow is the ideal option for creating the look yourself. “It makes for a deliciously sheer, off-white shade that is surprisingly flattering on a variety of skin tones,” she says of the beloved bestseller.
Zoya Naked Manicure Perfector
Think of Zoya Naked Manicure Perfectors as no-makeup makeup for your nails. “They come in a variety of skin tones,” says Miss Pop. “They create an extremely sheer veil, and I love using them for French manicures, negative space nail art, or simply as strengtheners.” An added bonus: When the polish is this transparent, chips are basically invisible.
Daisy DND Lacquer in Perfect Nude
Nail artist Dawn Sterling can’t stop singing the praises of both the lacquer and gel versions of DND’s Perfect Nude. This glassy polish is buildable, allowing you to create a jelly-like look while letting the features of your natural nail show through. “Two thin coats are perfect for any skin tone,” Sterling says.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Put It In Neutral
“The best neutral for fair skin is pink because it supports the pink and blue undertones in pale skin tones,” says Choi. But not just any pink. Unsurprisingly, a pale, beige-y pink like OPI’s Nail Lacquer in Put It In Neutral is a true winner for the lightest skin tones. Manicurist Elle Gerstein calls it a “color that will warm the fairest shade of skin.”
OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath
Another ideal choice for the soap nail trend is OPI Bubble Bath, which Miss Pop describes as “the perfect sheer, pale pink.” Sterling agrees with Miss Pop, telling Allure that she loves combining this classic OPI shade with Put It In Neutral (recommended above) “One thin coat of Bubble Bath first, one thin coat of Put It In Neutral second,” Sterling says. “It’s the perfect blend of pink and warm tones,” creating a no-fail combo against any skin.
Daisy DND Lacquer in Sunset Suede
Another shade Sterling loves to mix for a more customized nude is DND’s Sunset Suede, a peachy polish with stunning warm tones. When topped with a thin coat of DND’s Milky Pink, it achieves an even more universally flattering, natural-yet-polished look.
Orly Breathable Treatment + Color in Kiss Me, I’m Kind
“Kiss Me, I’m Kind is a sheer, pastel peach that works for paler skin tones with a colder, more pink undertone,” says nail artist Brittney Boyce, who works with Megan Fox and Kate Hudson. The formula is as fresh as the color, featuring nail-nourishing ingredients like argan oil and vitamins.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color in Naked
Deborah Lippmann’s Gel Lab Pro Color shade Naked is just one of the many colors that naked skin comes in. This take happens to look especially awesome on warm, olive skin tones. Recommended by Miss Pop, its formula is also an Allure Best of Beauty Award winner because of its non-damaging staying power and gorgeous glossiness.
Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour in Crowning Crumpet
“When you think of a sheer pink nude, mauve isn’t the classic color that comes to mind,” Miss Pop says, but Londontown Lakur’s Crowning Crumpet breaks all the rules, serving as a uniquely gorgeous nude. Its sheer, conditioning formula creates a glossy finish that feels especially fresh.
Mischo Beauty Nail Lacquer in Bebe
Manicurist Jenna Hipp says medium skin tones look best with a pinky beige. “It can help brighten the natural skin tone. It also looks fresh, clean, and current,” she says, pointing out an unexpected benefit to wearing a shade like Mischo Beauty’s Bebe: “Greenish veins are more likely to stand out on medium skin tones, so a good pink beige will distract and soften your overall look.”
Salon Perfect Magnetic One-Step Gel Nail Polish in Nude Silver
No one said nude has to be boring. The shimmering cat-eye effect of the quickly cured Salon Perfect Magnetic One-Step Gel Nail Polish in Nude Silver—no base or topcoat required—breathes new life into basic beige. “It sparkles in the light,” Miss Pop says. And in the event you don’t feel quite comfortable doing a gel manicure yourself, this shade also happens to come as ready-to-wear press-ons.
Pear Nova Classic Lacquer in Cleo F*ckin Patra
Who says a nude manicure has to be plain? Pear Nova’s sassily named Cleo F*ckin’ Patra is an almost-khaki brown infused with olive shimmer that proves a neutral look doesn’t have to be boring. It looks absolutely lovely on medium skin tones with warm undertones, featuring sparkles that bring out your golden glow.
Mented Cosmetics Nude Nail Collection in Brown & Bougie
“If you have dark skin, look for coffee-colored hues such as cocoa and mocha,” Hipp says, and Mented’s Nail Lacquer in Brown and Bougie from the brand’s Nude Nail Collection fits the bill. The super-shiny, opaquely pigmented polish proves that neutral can be striking.
Zoya Professional Lacquer in Louise
Miss Pop’s recommendation for the darkest skin tones, Zoya Professional Lacquer in Louise, is a boldly rich dark brown with a boldly rich formula—a five out of five on Zoya’s opacity scale. However, unlike the warmth you might expect from deep brown shades, Louise has cool undertones that complement your skin’s own undertones.
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