The Best Nude Nail Polishes for Every Skin Tone

This formula stays on for weeks without chipping and looks just as vibrant on day 10 as it does on day one. Despite being a regular polish, it leaves a shiny, strong finish reminiscent of gel. Lee agrees, adding that the Sheer Happiness shade is one of her favorites. She says, "This shade has a sheer formula with gorgeous beige tones. It's perfect for a barely-there look."

Pros: Editor-approved; Manicurist-approved; Long-lasting; Thick formula; Buildable

Cons: Difficult to remove

This shade of brown looks gorgeous on all skin tones and has an especially glossy finish. It's perfect for the fall and winter when you'll want to opt for deeper nude shades. It also dries faster than any other nail polish I own.

Pros: Editor-approved; Glossy finish; Great on all skin tones

Cons: It can chip—be sure to use with a top coat

If you have broken nails, white marks, or yellowing, this is the nail polish for you. Dermelect's formula is extra opaque so that nail imperfections—even ridges and unevenness—can go undetected. The smoothing formula also contains vitamins and peptides to repair damaged nails over time.

Pros: Good for nail health; Two polishes for the price of one; Obscures imperfections

Cons: Expensive

Essie's long-wear nail polishes truly last for ages and are impressively resistant to chips. The brand offers a number of nude shades in this category, but Atelier at the Bay is my personal favorite. Its subtle yellow hue looks gorgeous on every skin tone, but I think it looks especially striking on deep skin tones.

Pros: Editor-approved; Longwearing; Great on all skin tones

Cons: More limited color range than the original Essie line

I've become such a big fan of Le Mini Macaron since trying their adorable little at-home gel nail polish sets. They sell their three-in-one nail polish colors individually, but the brand recommends pairing them with its top coat and using the mini LED light to lock in the color. I'm impatient, so I tend to apply the nail polish and top coat and leave it at that, and I still get premium results that look just like a professional manicure.

Pros: Editor-approved; Longwearing; Glossy finish

Cons: Time-consuming

I don't know about you, but I like options. If you're a new devotee to the nude nail trend, consider investing in a set like this one, which includes brown, beige, and pink nail polishes. Each contains hydrating, fortifying ingredients so that you don't have to sacrifice your nail health, and they dry with a glossy finish that mimics a gel manicure.

Pros: glossy finish; looks like a professional manicure; three nail polishes for the price of one; supports nail health

Cons: slow drying time

I tried this nail polish on a whim, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. It has a thick, opaque formula, so a little goes a long way, and the color looks stunning. It can be challenging for me to find a pale pink that doesn't wash me out (I have tan skin with olive undertones), but this one is just the ticket. Plus, it lasts for ages without chipping.

Pros: Editor-approved; Chip-resistant; Great for tan skin tones

Cons: Small bottle; Hard to remove

Essie formulated this warm shade of brown with deep skin tones in mind, but it works well on everyone. Its hint of orange makes it especially great in the summer and for those with warm undertones. It brightens up any look. Plus, as part of the brand's "Expressie" collection, it dries quicker than most options.

Pros: Made with women of color in mind; Great for warm undertones

Cons: Chips—be sure to use a top coat

"This nude is so versatile because of its cool tones," says Kandalec. "I love that it’s very sheer, making for a very elegant or casual look." It's also made to last for weeks, boasting a 100 percent gel formula that's chip-resistant. Plus, it promises not to yellow nails, even after consistent wear.

Pros: Expert-approved; non-yellowing; chip-resistant; vegan

Cons: Can't be removed with nail polish remover (needs to be soaked off)

By all accounts, this was the late Queen Elizabeth's favorite nail polish. The royal set the protocol that all female royals wear exclusively nude and pale pink nails for a clean, versatile look. Now, you'll find it on both Princess Kate and Meghan Markle. I've tried this polish myself and can attest that it looks gorgeous. Plus, it's barely noticeable when it chips.

Pros: royal-approved; editor-approved; thick formula

Cons: chips—advisable to apply top coat

I've already sung this formula's praises, but I must shout out this particular shade. It's great for those who, like me, love both nudes and vibrant colors, and want a bit of spice in their neutral. Lee agrees, saying, "I love this shade for something opaque rather than sheer. It's a rich nude with slight pink undertones that gives a fashion-forward look."

Pros: Editor-approved; Manicurist-approved; Longwearing

Cons: Difficult to remove

Mini Luxe nail polishes always impress me with their opacity and glossiness. They also dry quickly and barely need a second coat, making mani/pedi night much easier. I just wish the bottles were bigger because when I got attached to this flattering Blank Canvas, I plowed through the entire bottle in no time.

Pros: Editor-approved; Thick formula; Dries quickly

Cons: Small bottle