On more than one occasion, I’ve been certain I’ve finally found the exact nude I’ve been searching for. Annoyingly, it’s always ended up looking completely different on my hand than it did on the colour wheel and, honestly, I haven’t felt disappointment like that since the series finale of Lost. Thankfully, we’ve sussed out the science (yes, really) of finding that perfect shade.
By Beth Ludolf
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1 Fair
Ask for: A barely-there nude, like OPI GelColor Put It In Neutral
When your skin is porcelain, it can seem like no colour is light enough – trust me, even the palest foundation shades are too dark for me. For a true nude, a sheer, barely-there polish is your best friend.
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2 Light
Ask for: A milky nude, like OPI GelColor Samoan Sand
For those pale-but-not-basically-see-through skin tones, just add milk (vegan alternatives available). The beauty of pale polishes? The intensity is buildable. Keep it sheer for a subtler effect or layer for an opaque finish.
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3 Medium
Ask for: A light mushroom nude, like CND Shellac Field Fox
Not just great in pasta dishes, mushroom is perfect for medium skin tones. Whether you're a funghi-lover – like me – or painstakingly pick them out of every meal (shout out to my sister), you can't deny it looks pretty darn good on your nails.
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4 Medium Dark
Ask for: A pale taupe nude, like Gelish Hey Twirl Friend
For slightly deeper skin tones, the grey-ish brown hue of a pale taupe, like this one from Gelish, ensures your nude is perfectly matched without running the risk of looking flat or dull.
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5 Dark
Ask for: A deep taupe nude, like CND Shellac Unearthed
Brown-toned nail polishes of real quality can be hard to come by, but we think we’ve found it in this CND shade. For dark, rich skin tones, an earthy taupe is the perfect tonal nude.
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FAQs
How do you find the best nude nail polish for your skin tone?
You can find the perfect nude by matching the polish shade to your skin tone. Fair skin tones suit sheer, barely-there nudes, while light skin tones look great with milky nudes. For medium to dark skin tones, try mushroom or taupe shades for a flattering effect.
Which nude nail polish works best on fair skin?
A barely-there nude polish, such as OPI GelColor Put It In Neutral, is ideal for fair skin. This shade blends seamlessly with porcelain skin, giving a natural and subtle look.
What nude shades should you choose for medium skin tones?
A light mushroom nude like CND Shellac Field Fox complements medium skin tones perfectly. Mushroom hues add a soft, modern touch that suits those not too fair or too dark.
Which nude polish suits dark skin tones the most?
A deep taupe nude, such as CND Shellac Unearthed, suits dark skin tones best. The earthy brown tones enhance rich complexions and provide a truly tonal nude look.
Can you adjust the intensity of milky nude polishes?
Yes, with milky nude polishes, intensity is buildable. Keep it sheer for a softer effect or add more layers for an opaque finish that stands out more on light skin.