“In the same way that a nude pump elongates the legs, a nude fingernail makes the hands look lengthened, feminine, and clean,” says celebrity manicurist Michelle Saunders. Selecting the right one, however, can be a challenge. Here, the best nudes for every skin type.
This article originally appeared on Harper’s BAZAAR US.
Additional reporting by Hanan Haddad
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5 Nail Trends You’re Going To See Everywhere This Summer
https://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/gallery/20-nude-polishes-every-skintone/
The Best Nude Polishes For Every Skintone
MAKE IT MOCHA: BEST FOR DARK COMPLEXIONS
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China Glaze
This opaque cocoa color looks like a million bucks, which makes its puny price tag even more of a steal.
China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Give Me S'More, $8
MAKE IT MOCHA: BEST FOR DARK COMPLEXIONS
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Black Up
This caramel-tinted brown looks like milk chocolate in the bottle and is just as decadent on your fingertips.
Black Up Nail Lacquer in NVAO 08, $13
MAKE IT MOCHA: BEST FOR DARK COMPLEXIONS
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L’Oréal
This shade looks almost purple in the bottle, but on skin it warms up to a nail-friendly nude.
L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail Colour in Liya's Nude, $6
MAKE IT MOCHA: BEST FOR DARK COMPLEXIONS
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Sally Hansen
A whisper of peach makes this shade ideal for warm tones.
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Brown Nose, $8
MAKE IT MOCHA: BEST FOR DARK COMPLEXIONS
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Butter London
The creaminess of this shade keeps it in the nude family instead of going clay-brown.
Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Tea Time, $18
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
Think of this pretty putty color like foundation for your nails.
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Covet, $10
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Context Skin Nail Polish
Almost-rosy, almost-brown, the all-purpose je ne sais quoi of this polish is part of the appeal.
Context Skin Nail Polish in Take It Off, $15
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Deborah Lippmann
For skin with hints of olive, this cafe au lait shade is pitch perfect.
Deborah Lippmann Nail Color in Terra Nova, $18
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Tom Ford
This milky almond shade makes nails look flawless.
Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Toasted Sugar, $36
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Color Club
A little bit peachy with a dash of gold, this nude has just enough color to make nails look refined, not bland.
Color Club Nail Lacquer in Barely There, $9
GORGEOUS GRAYS: BEST FOR COOL-MEDIUM COLORING
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Julep
This shade will be everyone's fall go-to, but a cool earthy gray like this is perfect any time of year.
Julep Nail Color in Alaina, $14
GORGEOUS GRAYS: BEST FOR COOL-MEDIUM COLORING
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Smith & Cult
Pair this fawn shade with a luxurious suede bag and watch the Instagram likes roll in.
Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer in Doe My Dear, $18
GORGEOUS GRAYS: BEST FOR COOL-MEDIUM COLORING
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Nails Inc
A touch of brown keeps the polish from skewing too mauve.
Nails Inc. Gel Effect Nail Polish in Porchester Square, $15
GORGEOUS GRAYS: BEST FOR COOL-MEDIUM COLORING
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Oribe
A bottle this pretty is destined for prime vanity placement.
Oribe Lacquer High-Shine Nail Polish in Lavender Smoke, $32
GORGEOUS GRAYS: BEST FOR COOL-MEDIUM COLORING
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OPI
Long, elegant-looking fingers are just a couple of swipes away with this pretty greige.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Don't Bossa Nova Me Around, $11
COMING UP ROSES: BEST FOR FAIR SKIN
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Burberry
Trendy nail shades come and go, but this subdued rosy nude will stay in your mani rotation for years.
Burberry Nail Polish in Nude Pink, $23
COMING UP ROSES: BEST FOR FAIR SKIN
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Jin Soon
Just the faintest hint of gray adds some edge to this creamy nude.
Jin Soon Nail Lacquer in Nostaliga, $18
COMING UP ROSES: BEST FOR FAIR SKIN
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Dior
Shiny with just a hint of apricot, this polish is a full glow-up for your nails.
Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer in Incognito, $27
COMING UP ROSES: BEST FOR FAIR SKIN
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Chanel
This delicate pink is perfect for those with cool undertones.
Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Ballerina, $28
COMING UP ROSES: BEST FOR FAIR SKIN
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Christian Louboutin
The soft pink shade inside may be demure, but there's nothing boring or basic about this luxe bottle.
Christian Louboutin The Nudes Nail Color in Madame Est Nue, $50
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Nude Nail Polish
Available in a myriad of shades to suit all skin tones, Butter London's barely-there tint not only provides nails with an intense hit of hydration, but lends sheer wash of colour that is almost chiffon-like in its effect. Butter London Sheer Wisdom Nail Tinted Moisturiser
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Nude Nail Polish
The snazziest nail varnish we've come across in a long time, Oribe's does-what-it-says-on-the-tin varnish is the ultimate cashmere jumper nude shade that looks chic on all skin tones. Oribe The Lacquer High Shine Nail Varnish in The Nude
MAKE IT MOCHA: BEST FOR DARK COMPLEXIONS
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Nude Nail Polish
Tom Ford's mauve-toned nude is ideal for anyone that wants a safe for work mani without having to bare all. Tom Ford Nail Polish in Black Sugar
MAKE IT MOCHA: BEST FOR DARK COMPLEXIONS
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Nude Nail Polish
This delicious chocolate shade provides light to dark olive skin with a healthy radiance and the gilt-topped bottle looks seriously pretty on any dressing table. Estée Lauder Nail Lacquer in Nouveau Riche
COMING UP ROSES: BEST FOR FAIR SKIN
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Nude Nail Polish
There's a reason why ESSIE's Ballet Slippers has been a firm favourite for over almost 34 years! It is a universally flattering hue that is both clean and classic and a single slick is enough to dress nails in a chic blanket of colour. If Meghan Markle's a fan, then count us in. ESSIE Nail Lacquer in Ballet Slippers
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Nude Nail Polish
Resilient and pristine, Deborah Lippmann's chip-resistant nude nail polish evokes images of drinking cappuccinos on a roof terrace in Italy. It gives such a healthy glow to those with darker skin. Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Shifting Sands
GORGEOUS GRAYS: BEST FOR COOL-MEDIUM COLORING
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Nude Nail Polish
Thanks to the lilac undertones, this gentle, chemical-free nude polish breathes life into pale skin and looks absolutely dreamy on short nails. The clever formula allows air and moisture to pass through, so your nail bed doesn't suffocate underneath the layers. Nailberry L'Oxygene Breathable Nail Polish in Mystere
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Nude Nail Polish
A tone that sits between warm peach and pale beige, ORLY's breathable colour is so pretty on longer nails. A mega-mix of Argan Oil, B5 and vitamin C means your manicure stays around for much longer. ORLY Breathable Colour in Nourishing Nude
MAKE IT MOCHA: BEST FOR DARK COMPLEXIONS
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Nude Nail Polish
Marc Jacobs' stunning rose taupe polish washes nails with a gel-like formula that's high-shine finish means you can skip a topcoat altogether. Marc Jacobs Nail Lacquer Nail Polish in Ladies Night
GORGEOUS GRAYS: BEST FOR COOL-MEDIUM COLORING
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Nude Nail Polish
The closest thing to a professional manicure at home, each of Nails Inc's Gel Effect Nail polishes are fantastic (hello, amazing pigment and staying power) - but it is Colville Mews, a cool, almost grey-toned nude - that we go back to time and time again. Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish in Colville Mews
SEXY SANDS: BEST FOR WARM TAN TONES
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Nude Nail Polish
A few swipes of Soigne's creamy beige has the ability to make hands look groomed in an instant. It has a nod to the ultra-sophisticated Frenchwoman about it. Soigne Creme Au Beurre
COMING UP ROSES: BEST FOR FAIR SKIN
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Sally Hansen
A deeper soft pink might be the perfect statement nude you are looking for and the Sally Hansen gel formula will last you ages too. This deep rose shade is at the cusp of being bright, yet it's nude enough for every day. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish in Mauve-Olous