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10 Best Neutral Nail Polishes for Every Skin Tone, Selected by Editors and Manicure Experts
Because everyone’s “nude” is completely different.
I’m what you’d call a creature of habit. I eat almost the same breakfast every morning (one egg, one egg white, some spinach and vegan cheese, and a side of kimchi). I wear my hair in one of two styles, straight or slightly curled. I slip on the same pair of mesh flats (you know, the viral Alaia dupes sourced through Amazon, in either black or white). When it comes to my nails, I’m no different. You’d be hard-pressed to find anything other than a neutral nail polish. A good neutral nail color will never clash with your outfit or look outdated. Not to mention, chips and signs of wear are barely noticeable when you're wearing a neutral shade too.
The catch here? Finding the right neutral nail polish can be hard. There's nothing more frustrating (especially when you're paying for a mani at the salon) than picking up a nude nail polish that looks beautiful in the bottle, only to find out that it doesn’t complement your skin’s undertones and ends up making for a terrible nail color. But now, after years of testing different manicures and nail polishes, I think I finally nailed the science of finding a flattering neutral nail polish. While one perfect nude might not exist for everyone, I've tested dozens to narrow it down to the 10 best neutral nail polishes that consistently deliver a perfect-looking manicure every time.
Our top picks for best neutral nail polish:
From luxe finds to long-wear drugstore formulas that promise not to chip, I'm sharing all the details on the best neutral nail polishes for every skin tone.
This is the perfect beige-meets-pale pink polish for a chic shade that complements virtually every skin tone. The semi-translucent color (it looks deeper in the bottle than on the nails) gives the nails a sophisticated, pulled-together wash of color that’s buildable if you prefer a more pigmented, yet still nude-looking style. It’s also the perfect color for a feminine French manicure, as well as the trendy naked manicure.
This soft taupe, a staple of the Chanel polish collection for years, reads more like a subtle milk chocolate brown with hints of gray and beige thanks to its slightly cool undertones. While this cult-classic Chanel shade isn’t quite as sheer as some other neutral polishes, the long-lasting, modern color never fails to leave the nails swathed in a high-shine, glossy finish, so that the manicure takes center stage as the ultimate accessory. It’s also the perfect color to wear year-round.
Short on time? Or just downright antsy? If the thought of letting your nail polish dry to a rock-hard finish is cringe-worthy, opt for this quick-drying yet long-lasting polish. The ultimate sheer neutral warm taupe that isn’t too pink, brown, or beige, and it’s translucent enough to let the natural beauty of your nails shine through. Prefer it to look a bit creamier? Simply paint on a few more layers to build up the color. This your-nails-but-better shade promises up to 14 days of wear, making it the perfect alternative to gel manicures without compromising on color.
No matter if you wear this best-selling neutral nail polish as your signature shade or save it for that special beach vacation when simple nails are a must, the opaque nude color contains the perfect amount of pink, peach, and cream, allowing it to work across the board for light and medium skin tones, without washing out the skin. We also like that it’s super creamy and dries quickly without chipping, so the manicure holds up for days on end. And PS: Those with deep skin tones will love it if they’re looking for a lighter nude shade that contrasts against the skin without looking too pale (s/o to its warm undertones!).
If there’s one iconic neutral nail color that never fails, it’s the tried-and-true Ballet Slippers, which was purportedly named as a tribute to Essie founder Essie Weingarten’s favorite post-ballet-class manicure ritual. A forever favorite, this classic sheer, pale, milky pink is by far one of the prettiest and most wearable colors. Flattering on all nail shapes and styles, this ultra-feminine, natural-looking polish is perfect for everyday wear, but it also makes a statement when dressed up with nail art
In order for olive skin tones to successfully pull off a more neutral-toned nail, the polish needs to be the perfect balance of pink and beige while having some opacity to it so that the color doesn’t make the skin appear ashy or flat. And that’s exactly what this perfect peachy-pink color does. With its creamy finish and ultra-glossy shine, just two thin coats of the polish are enough for a full coverage look on the nails that’s super complementary and still refined, not insipid.
Medium to dark skin tones can pull off lighter neutral shades, creating a barely-there look that feels effortlessly chic on every level. The warm undertones in this pretty pinky-beige shade create an almost naked nail moment, but the touch of color makes it anything but basic. Plus, this gel formula glides on smoothly, doesn’t require a UV nail lamp to cure, and dries fast, making this manicure one of the simplest ones to do at home.
If you think dark neutral colors don’t work for darker skin tones, guess again. They do, if the hues are just right. Deep shades of brown double as the perfect neutral for deep skin tones, without dulling them. Case in point: This beautiful chocolate brown, which features red and orange undertones, looks simply stunning against the deep skin. Consider a deep neutral polish like this a luxe way to go simple on the nails while still getting a salon-worthy look that’s both striking and versatile
Some days call for a neutral-toned pink manicure, while others command a barely-there milk white or even a creamy neutral taupe color. Whatever you fancy, this pretty trio of neutral-toned polishes contains all the essentials for a long-lasting, glossy look, with a super sheer finish. Each neutral nude shade features a gel-like finish with super staying power that lasts up to 10 days and removes easily. Perfect for daily wear, the set’s versatility makes it the ultimate choice in neutral shades, so there’s something for everyone.
Replete with three different shades—a soft pink for an everyday, clean look; a classic tan nude that flatters all skin tones; and a rich brown for the perfect amount of neutral color—each vegan and 10-free earthy-toned polish features opaque fade- and chip-resistant pigment that complements a wide range of different skin tones. But the best part? You don’t have to apply coat after coat to get each neutral color to show up. The opaque formulas deliver the right amount of color for a timeless-looking and durable manicure that lasts.
How do I choose the right neutral polish?
Choosing a skin-tone-flattering neutral polish that complements your skin, rather than washing it out or leaving it looking pale or ghostly, isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Manicurist Mazz Hanna
says there are no hard-and-fast rules when choosing the best neutral nail color. “I think the best way to discover what works is by experimenting with a few different shades,” she says. “Sheer colors are always more forgiving than opaque ones.”
If you’d rather not play a guessing game and want to streamline the neutral polish editing process, start by assessing your skin tone and its undertones. Lost when it comes to deciphering your skin’s true undertones? Here’s how to tell in a split second. Look at the veins on your wrist. If they appear blue or purple, your skin has cool undertones. Veins with a bit of green indicate warm undertones, and if they fall somewhere between the two, you likely have neutral undertones and can wear just about anything.
One thing you’ll want to avoid at all costs: matching your nail polish exactly to your skin tone, which Hanna says can create an off-putting, washed-out, ashy look. “When the polish and skin tone are too close and matchy-matchy, it looks noticeable and can cause ‘cadaver hands,’ which is the opposite of what you want to do when wearing a neutral or nude nail,” she explains. Instead, go at least two shades lighter or darker than your natural skin color so the polish creates ample contrast. “This way, the neutral polish works with the skin’s undertones and will look natural and seamless rather than mismatched.”
The lighter the skin tone, the softer the neutral shade; the deeper the skin tone, the warmer the color. “People with fair skin have blue and pink undertones,” says nail artist Jin Soon Choi. Look for neutral shades with pink hues to enhance rosy undertones, or choose something that’s a milky peach color to neutralize redness around the fingers. “Cool pink tones can also add a bit more color to the complexion,” adds Hanna.
For medium skin, Hanna recommends sticking with warm creamy beiges and earthy tones—but nothing taupe-colored. Peach shades are another option since they skew warm because they’re a combination of pink and white tones, Choi says. “Warm polish undertones and medium skin tones complement each other.” If you’re cool-toned, choose a soft gray or a nude polish with mauve undertones.
Sheer neutral shades with a hint of warmth work beautifully for olive skin tones. Just steer clear of anything too pale, as it can clash with the yellow and green undertones in your skin. If you have cool or darker olive skin, try for a muted dusty pink or even lavender.
“Caramels, camels, and chocolate browns look beautiful on darker skin,” says Hanna. But if you prefer something with a little more warmth, stick with creamy nudes and almond colors or rich browns with red and orange undertones that complement the warm tones in the skin. For darker skin, Choi says to avoid grayish beiges, as they tend to wash out deeper skin tones
Meet the experts:
- Jin Soon Choi, aka the “Nail Guru,” according to the New York Times. Choi is an iconic celebrity nail artist, the founder of the JINsoon nail lacquer line, and the expert we consulted to give us the ~inside scoop~ on how to find the best nude nail polish for your skin tone.
- Mazz Hanna is known in the industry as the "Zen Manicurist" for the calming vibe she brings to her clients. She is an Elle Beauty Genius Award winner, certified crystal healer, and the creator of the Crystal Healing Manicure.™ An entrepreneur at heart, she is also the founder of her eponymous award-winning crystal-infused skincare line, Mazz Hanna, and is the owner and CEO of Nailing Hollywood.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and expert with 20 years of experience. A prolific content creator and trendspotter, Elise always knows what’s new, what works, and who’s the best to go to for treatments and procedures.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan with more than 12 years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories. She regularly tests and analyzes new nail polishes and products while working with the industry’s top experts to assess new brands, trends, and technologies.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and expert with 20 years of experience. She started her career in public relations before shifting to editorial. Elise rose the ranks at NewBeauty magazine from an editorial assistant to Executive Beauty Editor, overseeing and reporting on all things beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health, and wellness. A prolific content creator and trendspotter, Elise always knows what’s new, what works, and who’s the best to go to for treatments and procedures. She contributes to media outlets including InStyle, NewBeauty, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Beauty Independent, The Aesthetic Guide, Bazaar, and more.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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