These 18 Nude Polishes Are Like Foundation for Your Nails

Whether you want a clean base for nail art or an overall minimal look, nude nail colors are your best friend. These hues are neutral, flesh-toned shades that provide a seamless transition from nail to skin explains celebrity manicurist Gina Edwards.

"When choosing a nude shade, there are tons of options. "A nude nail color is a neutral tone that has a brown, tan, pink, or white undertone," says nail artist Tara Hayes. "There are many tones and opacities of nudes, both in the cool family and warm family. Usually, they can be anywhere from full coverage to a thin veil of color or a multitude of opacities."

Meet Our Expert

• Gina Edwards is a celebrity nail artist in New York City who has worked with stars like Vanessa Kirby and Vera Wang.
  

• Tara Hayes is a nail artist in New York City who studied under celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec.

A good rule of thumb? Choose a color that's close to your nail bed, skin tone, or any shade in between. Think of them like a foundation for your nails — they provide a hint of color for a your-nails-but-better finish.

Gucci Beauty Ellen Blush

Ellen Blush is an opaque pinky-beige shade with a long-lasting glossy shine. The formula is fast-drying and plant-based.

OPI Baby, Take a Vow

"OPI's Baby, Take a Vow is a soft, delicate, and timeless nude perfect for anyone with a preference for sheer elegance," says Hayes. "Its light-beige undertone create a natural and sophisticated appearance that complements a wide range of skin tones. It is a very sheer color where your natural nail bed is almost visible."

Luxio Blush

This sheer blush shade is described by the brand as the perfect base for a French manicure. It's a gel polish with a creamy consistency that goes on smooth.

OPI Put it in Neutral

Edwards is also a huge fan of Put it in Neutral from OPI. It's a sheer, milky pink-beige that supplies that your-nails-but-better effect. The formula is fast-drying and provides up to seven days of wear.

DND Gel Sheer Nude

For a sheer nude without any pink, aptly named Sheer Nude is a great gel-polish option. It has a glass-like jelly finish and allows the details of your natural nail to shine through. Think of it like a foundation for your nail.

DND Gel Russet Tan

Russet Tan is a super pretty deep mauve that leans a bit brown. It's a gel polish with a smooth formula so you can work in thin layers.

OPI Samoan Sand

Edwards also likes to use Samoan Sand by OPI. It's an opaque beige with warm-honey undertones.

Peacci Woody

From Peacci's Nu Nudes Collection, Woody is a gorgeous rich brown. It has orange undertones, which keeps the shade nice and warm.

Hermès Rose Coquille

This sheer shade is a light and delicate pink with a hint of beige. The polish is made in France and is composed with at least 71 percent ingredients of natural origin.

786 Cosmetics Sakura

This creamy, deep beige is a great Halal-certified nude. The polish is water-permeable and 21-free, making it permissible to wear during prayer.

Le Mini Macron Oat Milk

Oat Milk from Le Mini Macron is a muted milky beige. It's a three-in-one gel polish, meaning you can apply it on its own without a separate base and top coat.

People of Color Pink Sand

Pink Sand is a true pinky nude. It's an opaque polish that's made in a 10-free formula.

$10 at beyondpolish.com

OPI Bare My Soul

Bare My Soul is a sheer beige shade with a hint of mauve. It's a chic and simple barely there color.

Pear Nova Frida Be Free

Named after Frida Kahlo, Frida Be Free is a stunning light beige shade. The formula is creamy, neutral, and ethically made.

OPI El Mat-adoring You

El Mat-adoring You is a creamy tan shade that's a gorgeous neutral nude. It's warm without leaning orange or red.

Essie Vine and Dandy

Vine and Dandy is an opaque peachy-cream beige. The formula is salon-quality and vegan.

Aprés Gel Couleur Vintage Carnation

This sheer gel polish is my go-to. I love how it looks on its own, but I also turn to it as my base for more intricate nail designs. It's a gorgeous deep beige with a teensy hint of beige.

CND Self-Lover

CND's Self-Lover is a really pretty beige-y pink. It's in the brand's Vinylux finish, meaning it's a strong, long-lasting polish.

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