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?
yes lol sheet masks really are the scariest, even better than a clay mask
Hahaha, I just came out of the bathroom wearing one and I think I freaked out/repulsed my boyfriend just a bit. He says I look gorgeous now, haha, he’s just trying to win brownie points.
i find the more you do it the easier it gets and its quicker as not as much work to do each time lol
That is so true! Have you seen the sheet mask with animal face on them? They are even more scary.
I think it takes me 30 minutes and there are always mistakes which gets me really frustrated.
I haven’t done my nails for so long because I’m afraid the chemicals will chip off and my baby consumes it accidentally.
Maybe I’m too paranoid.
I’m the same, I just don’t make time for my nails. But if I did, I’d definitely prefer these nude tones.
even without polishes, a nice manicure is nice just to keep your hands looking and feeling in good condition
I wish I had more time to paint my nails. I like nudes and neutrals and reds and pinks and purples. I’d even do a blue or a green.
I’d like to add a pale cool-toned mauve to my nail polish collection. I’m usually not a fan of warm-toned nudes/beiges on my nails.
never have been a nail polish wearer, only for travel , but not for work
I love me a Nude polish. I also love pinks and reds, but anytime I feel like something neutral, nude is the way to go.
I have worn nude nail polishes for years. My current fav is Mavala. Very low maintenance.
Love the muted colours here!!! So nice!!!
Love neutrals!
I put bright coral on my toes recently and it cheers me up every night when I get into the shower! I forget I’m wearing it all day cause it’s winter and then at night it’s a surprise because I’ve forgotten about it all day while wearing my joggers.
I like the bottle design on the L’oreal one.
I’ve reported the spam by dawndrury686.
Nude nails do look nice if your nails are absolutely perfect. Even though I love my nails and mostly they look good, I still prefer having colour.
I’m a bit precious when it comes to having my nails painted. If they are not perfect I can’t stand it and take all the polish of and have to start again. I do love a nude nail though and really like Mavala polishes because they last. Great suggestions here.
Yes I can relate as well because am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my Nails I have taken them off quite a few times to get the Nails Perfect.
Oh yes. I know the feeling. I just have to re-do it or remove it. I feel like it’s disturbing to have chipped nails. haha
No, too fussy. Rather wear no polish at all.
Starfish!!! Yeah!!
This article makes me want to do my nails, it’s been so long!
Really love the Rimmel London Nail Polish and the OPI Nail Polish colours in Nude they look so nice. 😊
I don’t wear nail polish often.
Yesterday I painted my toenails in OPIs Dulce De Leche. I go between that and
Barefoot In Barcelona.
The Samoan Sand colour looks like the kind of nail polish I would like!
Beautiful shades, especially starfish. Don’t give my nails enough attention these days
I havent worn nail polish in years. Ive found it weakens my nails
I was thinking the same thing, but how would know for sure?
I was really confused by the earlier comments up top at first because they talked about sheet masks.
Love a nude polish for work. I like to have several neutral options.
Love essie nail polishes
I love a good manicure. I think I might buy Sinful Colours in ‘Starfish’ or essence shine last & go! gel nail polish in ‘Sweet As Candy’
I like the look of the Sinful Colours in ‘Starfish’, especially if it is a cool-toned shade.
I prefer just a gloss for a natural look because my nails are in good condition.
OPI make great nude shades. I love ‘Tickle my France-y’ (nude with a hint of pink/purple) and ‘Makes Men Blush’ (pale nude pink, close to white).
I love Sinful colours and especially in Starfish but always on the lookout for other nail polishes. I remember seeing this article a while back but it’s been updated so keeping a copy of it for some of those other nail polishes. Just wish my nails would grow at the moment. Get to a certain height then break grrrrrrrrr.
I have a few Mavala mini bottles. Great for me becausw they don’t dry out before I get a chance to finish them because I don’t paint my nails often.
Ballet Slippers or Naked Ambition are my picks here. Sweet As Candy is too pink for me
I love all of these shades!
They are truly beautiful
you can never go wrong with OPI. But I’ve tried nude, it really didn’t suit me. I don’t know how people can pull it off so well.
Samoan Sand, Bubble Bath and Ballet slippers are all in my collection. All very easy to wear and if it chips it isn’t as obvious.
i am loving essie’s treat love and colour in number 40
Some good options there. I am going back to the office next week , so will probably look at having my nails painted on the weekend . Will look out for these shades.
Nude nails look the best
I’m not a fan of nude colours in anything. I seldom wear pastel pink & NEVER wear beige!
I love these natural pink colours.
Love this look, but can’t be bothered to do it!!!
#4 Sinful Colours in ‘Starfish’ is such good value one would be silly not to give it a try. Want to see what other colours they have
I really like the Essie shade
I love these colours, so pretty.
I love the colour of the nails in the top picture.
I like the starfish one too.
I prefer more brighter colours.