18 Nude Nail Colors to Complement All Skin Tones

meet the 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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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OPI Samoan Sand

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Le Mini Macron Oat Milk

Le Mini Macaron Oat Milk — @melanated.mani

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Essie Vine and Dandy

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

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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.

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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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These 18 Nude Polishes Are Like Foundation for Your Nails