A truly good nude nail polish can be hard to come by, but once you’ve found ‘the one’ it’ll be with you for years.
The perks of painting your talons in such a subtle, everyday shade not only means your nails will look good with every outfit, but messy edges, chips, and regrowth are more easily disguised. Plus, the right pinky-nude shade just has the uncanny ability to make nails look so much healthier and stronger.
But because there are more pink to beige shades on the shelves than you could ever hope to work your way through, we’ve helped narrow it down to eight magnificent neutrals.
So the next time you’re due for a mani, take your pick from our edit of the best nude nail polish shades out there. You won’t regret it.
The best nude nail polishes
#1 essie Nail Color in ‘Ballet Slippers’
Why we love it: You can’t have a list of the best nude nail polishes without including the Queen’s favourite. This pale, sheer pink delivers a subtle coat of colour that leaves your nails looking natural and gleaming. Hey, if it’s good enough for Liz…
$15.99 at Priceline
Read more essie Pinks reviews
#2 Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in ‘Naked Ambition’
Why we love it: This pick has peachy undertones for a warmer-leaning nude. It looks insanely good on those with olive skin tones.
$10 at Chemist Warehouse
Read more Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure reviews
#3 OPI in ‘Mimosas For Mr And Mrs’
Why we love it: As far as the best nude nail polishes for brides go, this is an excellent choice. It’s a soft and neutral pink that’ll look elegant alongside any style of bouquet.
$14.99 at Chemist Warehouse
#4 Sinful Colours in ‘Starfish’
Why we love it: If you haven’t picked up one of these affordable polishes from Big W yet, you’re missing out. ‘Starfish’ is our top choice when it comes to the nudes on offer; a dusty mauve pink that’s perfect for everyday wear.
$4 at Big W
Read more SinfulColors Cream reviews
#5 Mavala Switzerland Nail Polish in ’90 Arosa’
Why we love it: If you’re after a chic, goes-with-every-outfit shade, look no further. This peachy cream is pretty but neutral. A real no-brainer.
$8.95 at mavala.com.au
Read more Mavala Switzerland Nail Polishes reviews
#6 essence shine last & go! gel nail polish in ‘Sweet As Candy’
Why we love it: A classic baby pink that won’t break the bank. But don’t let the price fool you, the formula is rich and pigmented. Not to mention cruelty-free and vegan too!
$3.13 at Amazon
Read more essence shine last & go! gel nail polish reviews
#7 Rimmel London 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish in ‘Kiss In The Nude’
Why we love it: This quick-drying nude polish dries down to a delicious toffee-caramel shade. It’s very flattering on warmer skin tones with a glossy finish.
$7.49 at Chemist Warehouse
Read more Rimmel London 60 Seconds Super Shine Nail Polish reviews
#8 OPI in ‘Samoan Sand’
Why we love it: If you’re after something more beige than pink, ‘Samoan Sand’ hits the brief. Apply three coats for a natural-nail-but-better colour.
$14.99 at Chemist Warehouse
#9 Revlon ColorStay™ Gel Envy™ Longwear Nail Enamel in ‘Up in Charms’
Why we love it: This slightly sheer pinky-nude provides the perfect base for glazed donut nails. Buff over with a chrome powder for a reflective finish or seal it with a top coat for a long-lasting, beautiful colour.
$17.95 at Priceline
Read more Revlon ColorStay™ Gel Envy™ Longwear Nail Enamel reviews
Image credit: @mezenova
*This article has been updated since its original publication date.
Do you wear nude nail polish? What is your go-to shade?
pretty colours and quite affordable
I love nude shades but don’t wear polish regularly.
I have always preferred brighter colours but am starting to warm to the nude shades
The brighter colours are brighter, but these nude shades look great.
Love a good nude nail polish! So timeless and chic
Yes I can see how lovely they look
Love nude polishes.
Me too, it looks so elegant
I love nude and clear nail polishes.
I’ve used Essie Ballet slippers, but also like Essence nail polish because it’s so well priced.
Greige for me
I have an Essi nail polish at home but never used it
I have never tried a gel nail polish. I wear a nude shade every other month.
I like the look of gel polish .
I like these colours and it’s great for work.
Chanel Organdi is gorgeous too
Some beautiful Nude Nail Colours like them all unfortunately with all the housework that I do nail polish won’t stay on my nails, not even Sally Hansen’s Diamond Strength.
Quite a selection, so nice, but I am afraid that I don’t often use nail polish because it never seems to stay on very long.
I wear almost any colour – except beige!
Some of these look too pink for me. Rimmel’s “Kiss in the Nude” is my pick
I love Sally Hansens ‘Cafe Au Lait’. The perfect nude nail polish!
Of course you feature the late Queen’s favourite colour!
beautiful colours… affordable
Yes they are pretty good value
I dont wear nude nail polish. But it is definitely something I would like to start wearing each week
I never thought I could wear natural colours but I have a few corals and pale pinks.
I love both Essie and OPI. Great quality polishes.
These are all my kind of nail colours. Love them all.
The nude shades go with everything.
A very useful list to create. Thank you. I am always debating over which is the best nude colour to get.
good variety of nude nail polishes from different brands
My fav colours these days. I have that Mavala shade.
OPI Tickle me France-y and Dulce de Leche
Love those nude shades. I have only used clear nail polish on my fingers…up to now. I have a “nude shade” on my Christmas list. The difficult decision is, which one!