On any given day this season, you can find me wearing either a bright, summery nail color or a classic nude polish. Which one entirely depends on my mood at my manicure appointment, but in the last few weeks, it's been a steady stream of beiges and pale pinks. There's been one too many times I've left the salon with a regrettable in-your-face nail color, but I've never had second thoughts with a nude manicure.
My love for a barely-there shade is reaffirmed any time a celebrity steps out with neutral tips, which is often. Everyone from Jennifer Lopez and Selena Gomez to Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid loves a naked nail look. Whether you refer to it as soapy or the hue of a bubble bath, nude nails will never fail to serve up elegance.
Finding a nude nail polish is easier said than done, but that's where I come in to do the heavy lifting for you. I rounded up 24 of the best nude nail colors on the market for your next manicure. When you're ready to give up butter yellow nails, consider your natural nail bed shade and skin tone and then pick up a complementary polish, below. P.S. These polishes work for your summer pedicure, too!
Nude Polishes for Light Skin Tones
This is a true beige that will last for up to a week without chipping.
Chanel's color selection is unmatched, as proven by all of the pretty nudes they offer.
If a naked manicure á la Katie Holmes is on your moodboard, this is the polish you need to pick up.
This is the iconic milky pink shade that started the nude manicure wave the beauty world is currently riding.
I'm confident that this dusty pink nude would look fabulous on any skin tone.
This peachy nude would contrast beautifully against lighter skin tones with cool undertones.
If you're not a fan of stark white or pale pink, this pale grey beige shade is a happy compromise.
Manucurist's Green polishes are an editor favorite—they're plant-based, vegan, non-toxic, and so long-wearing.
Nude Polishes for Medium Skin Tones
This polish is aptly named—you will be feeling yourself with this elegant shade on your nails.
This mocha mousse shade also happens to be a major nail trend at the moment.
This color's reddish pink undertones it a stand out in your nude polish collection.
My mom swears by this shade for her weekly manicures, so naturally, it's a favorite of mine, too.
A true beige manicure done in minutes sounds like a pipe dream, but it can be done with this polish in your arsenal.
Leave it to Gucci to create the ideal beige shade for medium skin tones and nail beds.
Nude Polishes for Deep Skin Tones
Essie never fails to have complementary shades for everyone and this luxe cocoa polish is a true must-have.
The grey undertone on this taupe shade gives it a moody edge.
Head to Olive and June's website to see how beautiful this rosy nude looks on dark skin tones.
The cap on this polish is specifically designed to make painting your own nails as easy as possible.
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