Like everyone right now, I’m loving neutral nails—here are 13 different ways to wear them

A neutral nail look is the nail trend equivalent to a crisp white t-shirt, or that black leather bag you fit your life into: it’s simple, understated, and always does the trick. Not sure what you’ll be wearing for a special occasion? So-called ‘boring manicures‘ never fail, so go neutral with your nails. (Perhaps this season’s BB Cream nails take your fancy?) Off on holiday but have a wardrobe of bright outfits? Neutral will go with everything. Work in an office where there’s a strict dress code? Neutral works well with business chic.

The phrase ‘neutral nail’ is in itself wide-reaching; neutral can refer to nudes, browns, pinks and creams. We’ve all got our favourite neutral (I’m a sucker for O.P.I’s Bubble Bath while in the salon), and whether it’s straight across the nail or incorporated into a fun nail art situation, neutral is always a winner.

The pros like to turn to neutral hues, too. “Sometimes, less is more. A neutral manicure gives an instantly sophisticated and clean look; it will be perfect for any occasion, plus it goes with any colour outfit,” says Hayley McColm, Mii Cosmetics Pro Nail Ambassador.

If you’re unsure which neutral you’d like best, Lynn Mason, nail expert at Mavala says it’s pretty easy to work out which nail polish colours best complement your skin tone. “When helping customers choose the best polish for their skin tone, I suggest choosing a range of varying tones in the shade, and putting the bottles between each finger. You will quickly see which polishes don’t stand out, and you can choose by process of elimination. Shades that work for your skin tone will stand out more against the ones that don’t. I always suggest trying a tone you would not normally pick, as it may surprise you,” she says.

If you need neutral nail inspo, I’ve selected my current favourites, plus the best neutral polishes for the job…