I’ve painted my nails for over a decade. When I started, I gravitated towards deep black, red, and purple nail polish shades , but more recently, I’ve become attracted to the best nude nail polishes, similar to the shade Bella Hadid wore to the Cannes Film Festival. Nudes—like pale pinks and tans—never clash with my outfits or makeup. Plus, when they chip, it’s barely noticeable. “Colors that qualify as ‘nude’ nail polishes are any tone, shade, or hue resembling various skin tones,” explains celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec. “Nude hues range from sheer to opaque, catering to individual preferences for a natural or polished look.”
Nude nail polishes are also great for those looking for an understated look. It’s partly why the royal family, including Princess Kate and Meghan Markle, have never been photographed in a non-nude shade. During the Queen Elizabeth era, royal protocol stipulated they had to avoid bright shades. The reason being: “They have a classic vibe that never goes out of style,” says nail artist and content creator Hannah Lee.
Kate Middleton keeps it simple in a nude French manicure in 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Thankfully, there’s a plethora of nude shades, with options for every skin tone. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the best nude nail polishes for every price point and advice from Lee and Kandalec on finding the best nude for you.
The Best Nude Nail Polishes
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Happiness 187
This formula stays on for weeks without chipping and looks just as vibrant on day 10 as it does on day one. Despite being a regular polish, it leaves a shiny, strong finish reminiscent of gel. Lee agrees, adding that the Sheer Happiness shade is one of her favorites. She says, “This shade has a sheer formula with gorgeous beige tones. It’s perfect for a barely-there look.”
Pros: Editor-approved; Manicurist-approved; Long-lasting; Thick formula; Buildable
Cons: Difficult to remove
OPI Infinite Shine 2 Long Wear Lacquer in Espresso Your Inner Self
This shade of brown looks gorgeous on all skin tones and has an especially glossy finish. It’s perfect for the fall and winter when you’ll want to opt for deeper nude shades. It also dries faster than any other nail polish I own.
Pros: Editor-approved; Glossy finish; Great on all skin tones
Cons: It can chip—be sure to use with a top coat
Best Fortifying Nude Nail Polish
Dermelect Camo Makeover Duo
If you have broken nails, white marks, or yellowing, this is the nail polish for you. Dermelect’s formula is extra opaque so that nail imperfections—even ridges and unevenness—can go undetected. The smoothing formula also contains vitamins and peptides to repair damaged nails over time.
Pros: Good for nail health; Two polishes for the price of one; Obscures imperfections
Cons: Expensive
Essie Atelier in At The Bay
Essie’s long-wear nail polishes truly last for ages and are impressively resistant to chips. The brand offers a number of nude shades in this category, but Atelier at the Bay is my personal favorite. Its subtle yellow hue looks gorgeous on every skin tone, but I think it looks especially striking on deep skin tones.
Pros: Editor-approved; Longwearing; Great on all skin tones
Cons: More limited color range than the original Essie line
Le Mini Macaron One Step Gel Nail Polish 3-In-1 in Rose Glacée
I’ve become such a big fan of Le Mini Macaron since trying their adorable little at-home gel nail polish sets. They sell their three-in-one nail polish colors individually, but the brand recommends pairing them with its top coat and using the mini LED light to lock in the color. I’m impatient, so I tend to apply the nail polish and top coat and leave it at that, and I still get premium results that look just like a professional manicure.
Pros: Editor-approved; Longwearing; Glossy finish
Cons: Time-consuming
Also Recommended
Best Nude Nail Polish Set
Red Carpet Manicure Classic Gel Polish Trio
I don’t know about you, but I like options. If you’re a new devotee to the nude nail trend, consider investing in a set like this one, which includes brown, beige, and pink nail polishes. Each contains hydrating, fortifying ingredients so that you don’t have to sacrifice your nail health, and they dry with a glossy finish that mimics a gel manicure.
Pros: glossy finish; looks like a professional manicure; three nail polishes for the price of one; supports nail health
Cons: slow drying time
The fortifying formula in this polish alleviates my concerns about dry, peeling nails.
(Image credit: Gabrielle Ulubay)
Olive & June Nail Polish in Pink
I tried this nail polish on a whim, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. It has a thick, opaque formula, so a little goes a long way, and the color looks stunning. It can be challenging for me to find a pale pink that doesn’t wash me out (I have tan skin with olive undertones), but this one is just the ticket. Plus, it lasts for ages without chipping.
Pros: Editor-approved; Chip-resistant; Great for tan skin tones
Cons: Small bottle; Hard to remove
Olive & June’s nail polishes have a high-shine, gel-like finish, even when worn on their own. Above, the glossy polish shines sans top coat.
(Image credit: Gabrielle Ulubay)
Essie Expressie in Cold Brew Crew
Essie formulated this warm shade of brown with deep skin tones in mind, but it works well on everyone. Its hint of orange makes it especially great in the summer and for those with warm undertones. It brightens up any look. Plus, as part of the brand’s “Expressie” collection, it dries quicker than most options.
Pros: Made with women of color in mind; Great for warm undertones
Cons: Chips—be sure to use a top coat
This shade of deep brown is one of my go-to’s all year round, but it’s especially gorgeous during the autumn months.
(Image credit: Gabrielle Ulubay)
The Gel Bottle in Au Naturel
“This nude is so versatile because of its cool tones,” says Kandalec. “I love that it’s very sheer, making for a very elegant or casual look.” It’s also made to last for weeks, boasting a 100 percent gel formula that’s chip-resistant. Plus, it promises not to yellow nails, even after consistent wear.
Pros: Expert-approved; non-yellowing; chip-resistant; vegan
Cons: Can’t be removed with nail polish remover (needs to be soaked off)
Essie in Ballet Slippers
By all accounts, this was the late Queen Elizabeth’s favorite nail polish. The royal set the protocol that all female royals wear exclusively nude and pale pink nails for a clean, versatile look. Now, you’ll find it on both Princess Kate and Meghan Markle. I’ve tried this polish myself and can attest that it looks gorgeous. Plus, it’s barely noticeable when it chips.
Pros: royal-approved; editor-approved; thick formula
Cons: chips—advisable to apply top coat
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Shock & Mauve
I’ve already sung this formula’s praises, but I must shout out this particular shade. It’s great for those who, like me, love both nudes and vibrant colors, and want a bit of spice in their neutral. Lee agrees, saying, “I love this shade for something opaque rather than sheer. It’s a rich nude with slight pink undertones that gives a fashion-forward look.”
Pros: Editor-approved; Manicurist-approved; Longwearing
Cons: Difficult to remove
Mini Luxe Polish in Blank Canvas
Mini Luxe nail polishes always impress me with their opacity and glossiness. They also dry quickly and barely need a second coat, making mani/pedi night much easier. I just wish the bottles were bigger because when I got attached to this flattering Blank Canvas, I plowed through the entire bottle in no time.
Pros: Editor-approved; Thick formula; Dries quickly
Cons: Small bottle
Blank Canvas’ yellow undertone makes my medium-neutral skin tone shine, regardless of the time of year or how tan I am.
(Image credit: Gabrielle Ulubay)
The Best Nude Nail Polish for Your Skin Tone
Unlike face makeup, nude nail polish doesn’t need to match your skin tone exactly—it just needs to be flattering. Kandalec says that while nude polishes can look great when they’re a precise match to your skin, nude shades are more about personal preference. “[Think about] what makes you feel comfortable and confident while wearing them, regardless of whether they match your skin tone exactly,” she says.
That said, Lee tends to recommend certain nudes for specific skin tones—even though no shade is entirely off the table for any consumer. “For those with lighter skin tones with blue or green undertones, I recommend shades that are peachy or warm pinks,” she says. “Softer pinks would work great for those with more purple or blue undertones.”
Issa Rae wears a stunning shade of pale pink at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
She says deeper skin tones with cool undertones might want to consider beige shades that lean a bit pink. “If you have warmer undertones and deeper skin, then creamy beige colors are the way to go. Dark skin tones look great in richer, more vibrant nudes that lean more on the pink and orange side,” adds Lee.
Note that these are just guidelines; if you see a nude color that you love, go for it.
How to Pick the Best Nude Nail Polish for the Season
Lighter colors, including nudes, generally become more popular when the weather gets warmer. Nude nails are the most popular during transitional weather, with fall shades being deeper and more brown, while spring shades include more whites and pinks.
“For spring, I love a lighter sheer nude since it feels so fresh and chic, and during summer, I lean towards a tan opaque nude since it reminds me of sandy beaches,” she says. For fall, I love a rusty nude with a little bit of orange undertones. Finally, for winter, I recommend a rich, darker nude, which always seems to fit the moodier vibes during the chilly months.”
Meet the Experts
Hannah Lee is a professional manicurist and content creator with a successful following on Instagram and YouTube, where she tests nail products and provides detailed tutorials. She is currently based in Atlanta.
Jennifer Kandalec is a celebrity nail artist who has worked with the likes of Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, Kerry Washington and more. She is currently based in New York City.
