The first color that might pop into your head at the mention of “neutrals” and “cashmere” is beige. If you’ve never had a solid beige manicure before, finding the right tone can be tricky. Try nail artist San Sung Kim’s advice in Byrdie: Determine if your skin’s undertone is cool, neutral, warm, or olive to guide you in finding, not just the perfect beige, but also other polish hues that complement your skin.
Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to beige. The cashmere manicure’s allure isn’t so much its color but rather its rich sheen. Imagine your nails in a shimmery milk bath, caramel, opal, platinum, or silver. Achieve this look by first applying your base coat color of choice on properly prepped nails and cuticles. Then apply a layer of magnetic polish, placing the magnet about half an inch away from each side of your nails for 15 to 30 seconds. “It is crucial that you do this while your nail polish is still very fresh and just applied,” Nail Design Code noted.
After a pattern forms, let your nail dry completely, then repeat the steps and add another coat of magnetic polish. “Typically, two to three layers will be all you need,” nail artist Hannah Lee told Allure. Once you’ve achieved your desired opacity, seal everything with a top coat. For a truly velvety luster, manicurist Steph Stone’s tip (per Allure) is to use a matte top coat.
