Nude nail colors are flesh-toned shades that provide a seamless transition from nail to skin. Check out 21 nude polishes for light, medium, and deep skin tones.

There’s one for every skin tone.

Whether you want a clean base for nail art or an overall minimal look, nude nail colors are your best friend. These hues are neutral, flesh-toned shades that provide a seamless transition from nail to skin, explains celebrity manicurist Gina Edwards. “A nude nail color is a neutral tone that has a brown, tan, pink, or white undertone,” adds nail artist Tara Hayes. “There are many tones and opacities of nudes, both in the cool family and warm family. Usually, they can be anywhere from full coverage to a thin veil of color or a multitude of opacities.”

When choosing a nude shade, there are tons of options. 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.

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.

Keep reading to see 21 shades of nude nail colors that'll go with just about any skin tone.

Gucci Beauty Ellen Blush

Gucci Beauty Ellen Blush is an opaque pinky-beige shade with a long-lasting glossy shine. The formula is fast-drying and plant-based. This shade is pretty universal but offers are truer nude for people with fairer skin and pink undertones.

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 creates a natural and sophisticated appearance that complements a wide range of skin tones.” One thing about this polish, though, is that it’s really sheer. If you want something with higher opacity, this shouldn’t be your pick.

Luxio Blush

The sheer Luxio 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. Because this hue isn’t translucent, it’s a great nude for any skin tone.

OPI Put it in Neutral

Edwards is also a huge fan of Put it in Neutral from OPI. This sheer beige shade has pink, milky undertones that almost make it seem like you’re only wearing a clear coat. The formula is fast-drying and provides up to seven days of wear.

DND Gel Sheer Nude

For a sheer nude without any pink, aptly named DND 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.

Pear Nova Frida Be Free

Named after Frida Kahlo, Pear Nova's Frida Be Free is a stunning light beige shade. The formula is creamy, neutral, and ethically made.

(Note: This particular lacquer is sold out, but you could find a similar tone in China Glaze Nail Lacquer’s Bourgeois Beige.)

DND Gel Russet Tan

DND 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. Since it’s gel, it’s also quick-drying,

OPI Samoan Sand

Edwards also likes to use Samoan Sand by OPI. It’s an opaque beige with warm honey undertones. As you can see here, it’s a wonderful complement for deep skin tones.

Peacci Woody

From the brand’s Nu Nudes Collection, Peacci’s Woody is a gorgeous rich brown. It has orange undertones, which keep the shade nice and warm.

Hermès Rose Coquille

This sheer shade is a light and delicate pink with a hint of beige. The Hermès Rose Coquille is made in France and is composed of at least 71 percent ingredients of natural origin.

786 Cosmetics Sakura

This creamy, deep beige—786 Cosmetics Sakura—is a great Halal-certified nude. The polish is water-permeable and 21-free, making it permissible to wear during prayer.

(Note: While this polish is sold out, you can get a similar color in DND’s Natural #311.)

Le Mini Macron Oat Milk

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. The orange tones here make it best for folks with warmer skin tones.

OPI Bare My Soul

OPI’s Bare My Soul is a sheer beige shade with a hint of mauve. It’s a chic and simple barely-there color. If we had to pick a go-to nude from this list, we’d go with this pick.

OPI El Mat-adoring You

El Mat-adoring You by OPI is a creamy tan shade that’s a gorgeous neutral nude. It’s warm without leaning orange or red, meaning that it’s perfect for pretty much any skin tone.

Essie Vine and Dandy

Essie’s Vine and Dandy is an opaque peachy-cream beige. The formula is salon-quality and vegan. Though it might be a truer neutral for pinker skin tones, it’s also a great complement for deeper skin tones.

(Note: Vine and Dandy is sold out, but Essie makes a similar, fast-drying color called Buns Up.)

Aprés Gel Couleur Vintage Carnation

This Aprés Gel Couleur Vintage Carnation sheer polish is our go-to. We love how it looks on its own, but we also turn to it as a base for more intricate nail designs. It’s a gorgeous deep beige with a teensy hint of beige.

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.

People of Color Pink Sand

Pink Sand from People of Color is a true pinky nude, and it’s as versatile as it is adaptive. It’s an opaque polish that’s made in a 10-free formula, so you can feel good about using it too.

(Note: This product is currently sold out; for a similar color, we recommend Dazzle Dry Not Quite Nude.)

Pear Nova Michelle Our Mama

Named after former First Lady Michelle Obama, Pear Nova’s Michelle Our Mama is a gorgeous medium brown shade with neutral undertones. The polish is vegan and 10-free.

Gelish Tweed Me!

“For full coverage, Gelish Tweed Me! enhances manicures for darker skin tones,” says Hayes. “It has a unique combination of warm beige and mauve undertones. It gives a chic Sex In the City vibe.” Note that this is a gel polish.

Pear Nova Diana Boss

Named after Diana Ross, Diana Boss by Pear Nova is a warm and creamy beige. The formula is vibrant, long-lasting, vegan, and cruelty-free. Since it doesn’t have many undertones, it’s a great complement for myriad skin tones.