Find your perfect pale polish
The taupe nails at Michael Kors.
After seasons of 3D nail art and intricate manicures, we’re now seeing neutral polishes pop up with greater frequency as designers adopt a more pared-back approach.
From Chanel’s ballerina pink, to Michael Kors’ neutral mani and Thakoon’s taupe, the new nude polish isn’t one-shade-fits all.
First, consider your skin tone. Too pink and you risk making hands and cuticles look red, while some taupes can wash them out.
Next, focus on care.
“With pale polishes in particular, keeping nails in good condition is imperative,” says Sally Hansen nail expert Alison Bowhill-Hayes.
“Exfoliate and nourish nails regularly. Buff them well as pale polishes don’t conceal ridges like coloured ones will.”
Read on to find the perfect nude polish for you.
Fair Skin
Look for: Sheer pinks and blush
The blue undertones in pale pinks and creamy blush polishes help counteract any redness in fair skin.
Prefer an opaque look? It’s still better to layer multiple coats of a pale pink rather than choose a beige tone that will make fair skin look flat.
Tip: “Never soak your nails during an at-home manicure as it will cause them to puff up temporarily,” warns Alison Bowhill-Hayes. “When they dry out they’ll contract back to normal size and the polish will shrink, causing chipping and peeling.”
Try: Le Vernis in Ballerina, $39, Chanel
Fair to Medium Skin
Look for: Taupes and neutral pinks
A beige-pink will warm up a medium complexion for a clean and feminine finish. Not feeling pink? Avoid warm nudes, which can clash with yellow undertones in medium skin and instead opt for a cool, pale taupe.
Tip: “Always set with a top coat or try a matte version for a velvety look that’s very on-trend,” suggests Bowhill-Hayes.
Try: Nail Polish in Hudson, $15, The Nail Lab
L-R: Chanel's Ballerina; The Nail Lab's Hudosn; Sally Hansen's Cafe au Lait; Tom Ford's Mink Brule.
Olive Skin
Look for: Soft peach or beige
Work with your cool undertones and reach for a complementary creamy beige polish.
Otherwise, warm peach tones bounce beautifully off olive skin, instantly giving your look a feminine feel.
Tip: “Shaking your polish bottle can cause bubbles, which show up even more in sheer shades. Instead roll it between your hands,” says Bowhill-Hayes.
Try: Complete Salon Manicure in Café au Lait, $14.95, Sally Hansen
Dark Skin
Look for: Rosy beige or chocolates
Darker skins can carry pretty much every neutral polish besides grey, which can create a washed-out effect.
The safest picks are pretty, rose-toned beiges and rich cacaos, which provide a perfect match like foundation for your nails.
Tip: “Nail condition is imperative with nude polishes in particular being more unforgiving,” says Bowhill-Hayes, “Apply Vitamin E cuticle oil to your nail bed every night to keep your hands looking great.”
