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?
Nudes colors for nail polish are my favorite and I love to use them. I always google everything when I want to search about these nude color.
Some beautiful nude shades here
My favourite nail colour is clear pink.
OPI Mod About You I love especially because I won it from a BH competition (my one and only BH comp win). Essie Ballet Slippers is such a classic shade.
I love a nude nail it just goes with everything but my toe nails I go crazy and wear neon colours.
My very favourite neutral atm is Sally Hansen – Powder Room.
My favourite nail polish at the moment is Essie ‘Eternal Optimist’. It’s a little bit darker than a true nude, but it’s really pretty and I’m totally in love with it.
Love simple and classic nail colours
Cool toned griege. Looks so good on.
I like O.P.I Bubble Bath
I prefer a natural look but for a bit of extra shine and a hint of colour I like Essie Ballet Slippers.
That reminds me, I should do my nails!
I havent worn nail polish for years.
The Revlon colour above looks so good. Such an amazing winter colour.
Love the colour on the main photo. Hope these colours are still available as the article is not new.
So do I, onlyoni.
That one looks extremely pretty and I love also how Mavala’s bottles are practical and mini.
Me too – her nails look so elegant.
What a gorgeous name for the L’oreal one Cafe De Nuit!
I don’t wear polish on my fingernails but I always like to have my toes painted for the summer. Sometimes I will wear a pale shade however I tend to go for red or orange and sometimes a silver or gold.
Yay I can stock up
I very rarely wear nail polish, but I love the look of Ballet Slippers, such a pretty and classic colour.
I don’t really wear much nail polish on my fingers( more so my toes in the warmer months)because of my job and having two toddlers but have many OPI polishes they are hands down my absolute favourite and would definitely choose something like #8 the OPI polish in ‘Samoan Sand for my fingernails. Xo
yes i have a mini in shade 281 sugar berry, it’s lovely, I love the mini’s as nail polishes last so long and this way they don’t all go thick
I don’t wear nail polish anymore but those colours are so pretty and affordable
Love the look of these colours
I haven’t worn nailpolishes since the pandemic began. This weekend, will try and paint my nails to boost my mood. Love the neutral shade suggestions.
me too, i must do them tonight, its only been a week, but boy are they bad
i love this, am usung orly french manicure on a bottle and its lovely
I like essie nail polish. I’m wearing more neutral shades these days – gone are the days of stickers on glitter nail polish!
I don’t have long nails. I am not wearing nail polish most of the time.
I haven’t painted my nails in so long, this makes me want to play with some nail polish
I don’t understand nude nail polish. If I go to the effort of spending an hour for a manicure, I want people to see it!
That’s true. I also love that they don’t take up as much room for storage in my nail polish collection. : )
Did you end up doing them?
I need to alone time so I can do them, otherwise my older child will make a huge mess!
Love a pretty neutral nail polish. Mainly wear nailpolish on my toenails as it just chips on my fingernails even with a top coat.
yes less is more in some things
yes like a face mask or anything, all take time, but i really need to be doing more of everything, my face loves masks, the more the better
I did, I took of polish, cut nails, filed them, then used a buffer with 3 sides to smooth and polish, then a hand scrub, push cuticles back, base coat, the french polish, just one coat and a top coat, look much neater, now i need to use more hand cream
I don’t care for nail polish.
That is very true! I like how there is less wastage because there is less of it.
I hardly do my nails.
That sounds amazing! Did it take long to do?
Great idea! I did a face mask this morning while I gave my toddler time out for 10 minutes, he was throwing his brekkie onto the floor.
I felt better after the face mask for sure!
It’s been such a long time since ive even given my nails a second look… these colours are just perfect , have always loved a neutral nail colour , they’re beautiful.
Actually no, its really quick, i would 10-15 mins max
My family are use to me walking around with face masks on, my son now no longer gets spooked lol
I rarely use nail polish, usually just a clear topcoat. But I think some of these would suit me.
I must be a sloth then!
That’s so funny!
Love a nude beige colour