In a sea of extravagant 3D designs, bright jelly finishes, and maximalist nail art, nude might sound like the simplest manicure option, but choosing the right shade is surprisingly complicated. What counts as "nude" can range from barely-there pinks and creamy off-whites to caramel, mauve, mocha, and rich chocolate—and the shade that makes one complexion look glowing can leave another looking washed out.
The trick isn't simply finding a color that's close to your skin tone. Your undertone—the subtle color beneath the surface of your skin—plays an equally important role. "Your skin tone is essentially the depth of your complexion, so whether you fall into fair, medium, tan, or deep, whereas your undertone is the subtle color beneath the surface of the skin," explains Susan Carroll, founder of Young LDN. "Undertones generally fall into three categories: cool, warm, or neutral."
So, before you pick your next bottle of beige, here's exactly how to find your undertone—and the nude nail shades that will flatter it most.
How to find your skin undertone
The easiest way to work out your undertone is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrist in natural daylight. “If they appear more blue or purple, you’re likely to have a cool undertone," says Carroll. "If they look green, you’re more likely to be warm. If you can’t really tell, or you see a mixture of both, you may be neutral."
Still unsure? Your jewelry can offer another clue. Silver tends to flatter cool undertones, while gold often complements warmer complexions. If both look equally good, you may have a neutral undertone. "I’d always look at a combination of these signs rather than relying on just one test," Carroll adds.
Once you know where you sit on the skin-tone and undertone spectrum, choosing your perfect nude becomes much easier.
Fair skin
Fair skin with cool undertones
If your complexion is fair with cool undertones, look for soft pink nudes, rosy beige and delicate blush shades. "You want something that enhances the natural pinkness in the skin without becoming too stark," says Carroll.
Fair skin with warm undertones
Warm undertones pair beautifully with peachy nudes, warm beige, soft apricot and creamy caramel. "A little warmth in the nude helps bring out the golden or peach tones already present in the skin and gives a much softer, more seamless finish," says Carroll.
Fair skin with neutral undertones
Neutral undertones have plenty of flexibility, so, lucky you! Soft beige, pinky beige, and creamy nude shades all work well. For the most flattering result, Carroll recommends choosing something that sits between pink and peach, rather than leaning too strongly towards either.
Medium/tan skin
Medium/tan skin with cool undertones
With cooler medium or tan complexions, reach for mauve nudes, dusty rose, cool taupe, and deeper pink-beige shades. "You can afford to introduce a little more depth into your nude so it doesn’t disappear against the complexion," says Carroll. Go for sophisticated, muted shades rather than anything too pale or chalky.
Medium/tan skin with warm undertones
This is where caramel, honey, warm toffee, and peachy-brown nudes really shine. Golden undertones look particularly flattering alongside richer, warmer shades, creating a manicure that looks preened without appearing too stark against the skin. Carroll recommends avoiding anything too pale or chalky and instead choosing a nude with enough depth to complement the complexion.
Medium/tan skin with neutral undertones
You have plenty of options here, from balanced beige and soft caramel to muted rose and latte-inspired shades. "The key is choosing something with enough pigment to define the nail while still giving that clean, understated nude effect," Carroll says.
Deep skin
Deep skin with cool undertones
A nude doesn't have to mean pale beige – particularly if you have a deeper complexion. Rich mauves, cool-based cocoa, deep rose, and plum-toned nudes can look incredible against cool undertones. "The most flattering nude should feel like an extension of your own complexion," says Carroll.
Deep skin with warm undertones
Rich caramel, warm chocolate, cinnamon, chestnut, and terracotta-toned nudes, it's your time to shine. These shades pick up the warmth and richness in deeper complexions superbly. Carroll also notes that glossy or sheer finishes can look particularly luxurious here, adding dimension without overpowering the skin.
Deep skin with neutral undertones
Deep neutral complexions can wear a broad spectrum of nudes, from rich beige and mocha through chocolate and rose-brown. "I’d choose a shade that is one or two tones away from your natural skin color if you want that polished, barely-there look, rather than trying to match the skin exactly," says Carroll.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
