Natural nail colors are an absolute Godsend.
Sometimes life gets complicated, crazy, or hella dramatic.
In those moments, looking down at simple, natural nails somehow makes me feel a little calmer, a little more composed, and ready to deal.
Not only that, but natural nail colors also go with every outfit and work for literally every occasion.
So, what’s not to love?
In this post, I’m going to share my favorite natural nail colors for a variety of skin tones.
Plus I’ll give you some expert tips and advice to help you choose your perfect match.
So whether you’re looking for natural gel nail colors, dip powders, acrylics, or good ol’ regular nail polishes, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s get on with it and find your perfect natural nail polish color!
Natural nail colors
What is a natural nail color?
Well, that depends on your skin tone and your taste.
Natural nail colors range from the prettiest pale ballet slipper pink to the most decadent chocolate brown.
We’ll deep dive into the best nude nail polishes for dark, light, and medium skin further down.
But for now, here are a few of our favorite natural nail polish options and who they work best for:
Essie ballet slippers (check price)
As someone who has personally tried out many natural nail polish colors, I can say that Essie’s natural shade is a standout option.
This polish has become one of the most popular natural nail colors on the market, and for good reason.
This natural shade works well for almost anyone, but it’s most complimentary for those with medium to light skin tones in the neutral range.
I found that this polish gives a subtle, understated look that’s perfect for everyday wear and looks great with any outfit.
Overall, if you’re looking for a natural nail color that’s versatile, easy to wear, and looks great on a variety of skin tones, Essie’s natural shade is a fantastic choice.
OPI Baby take a vow (check price)
OPI’s Baby Take a Vow is a gorgeous natural nail color that’s perfect for those who want a subtle and chic look.
This pale pink shade is elegant and understated, making it an excellent choice for any occasion.
The color is best suited for those with light and cool skin tones, as it complements their natural undertones beautifully.
It gives a soft, natural finish that’s both versatile and sophisticated.
What I love most about this polish is its versatility – it can be worn for everyday wear or dressed up for a special occasion.
And with OPI’s reputation for high-quality nail products, you can trust that this polish will last for days without chipping or fading.
Zoya’s Grace (check price)
if you’re looking for a natural nail color that’s both elegant and versatile, Zoya’s Grace is an excellent choice.
Its beautiful milky peach nude shade looks amazing on light to medium-warm-skinned beauties, and it provides a subtle and sophisticated finish that’s sure to turn heads.
Zoya’s reputation for producing high-quality, long-lasting nail products is another reason to love this polish.
You can trust that this polish will provide a flawless finish that lasts for days.
OPI A clay in the life (check price)
This light pink shade is gorgeous and provides a natural-looking finish that’s perfect for any occasion.
One of the best things about this polish is its versatility – it can be worn for everyday wear or dressed up for a special event.
And for those with warm and dark skin tones, this polish is especially flattering.
Beetles Milky White gel polish (check price)
This gel polish provides a beautiful natural-looking finish that’s perfect for those who want a subtle and elegant look.
It’s important to note that this polish requires a UV or LED lamp to cure, which may be a drawback for some.
However, I find that the payoff is worth it, as this gel polish provides a long-lasting finish that can last for weeks without chipping or fading.
Overall, if you’re looking for a natural nail color that’s both durable and beautiful, Beetles Milky White gel polish is a fantastic choice.
Natural gel nail colors
If it’s gel polish you’re after, check out these classy and elegant nail polish offerings.
These are all part of my personal collection, so I can recommend them with confidence.
Whether you want short natural gel nails or longer ones, trust me these colors will look chic.
Warm-toned colors harmonize best with warm skin tones, and if you have cool skin, go for a cool-toned natural nail color from the following list:
- Mocha mouse Cake – Beetles (natural warm pink)
- Rose cocktail – Beetles (a pink-toned neutral)
- Bare Lingerie – Bluesky (a warm-toned pink) UK
- Nude knickers – Bluesky UK (cooled-toned pastel pink)
All the nail colors in this section are long-lasting, chip resistant, and must be cured with a nail lamp.
They make great bases for natural gel nail designs too.
Natural dip nail colors
For natural-looking dip nails, you’ll need an acrylic dip powder that’s understated and chic.
Here are some great options I’ve come across for natural dip nail colors and powder lovers.
- Cheeky – Kiara Sky (a rosy blush pink nude)
- No 8. – Honey Joy (a soft nude pink)
- Saviland dip powder (a fleshy nude shade)
- Bare with me – Kiara Sky (a slightly warm creamy neutral)
- Erica – Revel nail powder (a classic sheer french manicure color
- Feeling playful – pretty diva (a pretty nude pink shimmer)
- Grace – Modelones (a sheer nude)
You’re sure to find some natural dip nails ideas you’ll love from these options.
Natural nail colors for dark skin
Dark-skinned beauties, this section’s for you.
These polishes will help you to channel your inner goddess.
OPI nail polish colors for dark skin:
- Tickle my Francey
- Icelanded a bottle of OPI
- Somewhere over the rainbow mountains
- You’ve got that Glas-glow
- Let’s be friends
- Tagus in that selfie
- Samoan sand
- A clay in the life
- My vampire is buff
- My Italian is a little rusty
Other natural nail colors for dark skin:
- Pear Nova – Dianna Boss
- Deborah Lipmann – Fashion
- Essie – Centerpiece of attention
- Essie – in good taste
- Essie – Sheer silhouette
- Essie – Wild Nude
- Essie – Keep branching out
Natural nail colors for brown skin
If you have brown skin, you should check out the colors in the dark skin section above as many of these may work for you.
But here are some beautiful colors for brown skinned-beauties:
- OPI – Passion
- OPI – Put it in neutral
- OPI – It’s a girl
- OPI – Coconuts over OPI
- Essie – Low tide High slit
- Essie -Topless and barefoot
- Essie – Lighten the mood
- Essie – Last nightie
- Essie – well-nested energy
- Essie – Hostess with the mostess
If you have brown skin, you should find that one or more of the polishes in this section will work beautifully for you.
Natural nail colors for light skin
For my fellow fair-skinned beauties, here is a selection of carefully curated polishes just for you.
I’ve tested most of these myself. I love Zoya’s high-quality polishes. I found that they last ages and the colors are stunning.
For OPI colors, please scroll down to the OPI natural nail colors section below.
- Zoya – Evelyn (a soft cool-toned pink blush)
- Zoya – Agnes (a warm-toned muted blush)
- Zoya – Sabrina (white with hints of fleshy pink)
- Zoya – Madison (pale pink with a milky finish)
- Essie – Lighten the mood (ivory white)
- Essie – Of corset (sheer warm beige nude)
Natural nail colors acrylic
These are all acrylic powders that in my opinion and experience look very natural for sculpting a full set of nail extensions:
- Morovan – nude pink acrylic powder
- Mia Secret – Covernude blush acrylic powder
- Karlash- professional acrylic powder in natural pink
- Beetles – acrylic powder in peach nude
- Saviland – nude acrylic powder
These are all great options for natural-looking acrylic nails.
OPI natural nail colors
Here are our favorite natural nail colors from OPI.
To make your nail life a little easier, I’ve organized them according to the skin tones they work best for.
You’re welcome.
OPI natural nail colors for light skin
If you are light and cool like me, try these shades I found that they all compliment my skin tone perfectly:
- Mod about you
- Baby take a vow
- Passion
- Put it in neutral
- Taupe-less beach
These are great colors for light and neutral-skinned beauties:
- Mimosas for Mr and Mrs
- You’ve got that Glas-glow
- It’s ashually OPI
- Don’t bossa nova me around
- Somewhere over the rainbow mountains
What OPI nail colors to wear if you’re light and warm:
- Bare my soul
- Tiramisu for two
- You don’t know Jacques
- A clay in the life
- Sweetheart
- Coconuts over OPI
OPI nail colors for medium skin
If you are medium and cool, check out these awesome shades:
- Baby take a vow
- Passion
- Put it in neutral
Here are some shades I’ve found that tend to suit medium and neutral skin tones:
- Krona-logical order
- Somewhere over the rainbow mountains
- Lisbon wants more OPI
Medium and warm skin tones might wanna try out:
- Samoan sand
- A clay in the life
- My vampire is buff
OPI nail colors for dark skin
Colors to try if you’re dark and cool:
- Passion
- Put it in neutral
- It’s a girl
- Coconuts over OPI
- Tickle my Francey
Here are some amazing shades I really love against dark and neutral skin tones:
- Icelanded a bottle of OPI
- Somewhere over the rainbow mountains
- You’ve got that Glas-glow
- Let’s be friends
- Tagus in that selfie
These are some stunning nail color ideas that in my experience work really well for those with dark and warm skin:
- Samoan sand
- A clay in the life
- My vampire is buff
- My Italian is a little rusty
I hope that you found that useful.
Natural nail colors with glitter
If you like natural colors with a touch of sparkle then here are some great options for you:
- OPI – Merry and Ice
- OPI – Quest for quartz
- ILNP – CEO
- ILNP -Birthday suit
- ILNP – Chelo
- ILNP – Elle
- ILNP -Overcoat
These polishes will all add a little extra something to your nude mani.
How to choose the best natural nail color for you
I wouldn’t feel like a good nail friend if I didn’t give you my top tips to help you choose your perfect color match.
So here they are.
- Know your skin tone. You need to know 2 things. First – are you light, medium, or dark?
Next, are your undertones warm, cool, or neutral? If you’re not sure exactly, check out this guide.
- Choose polishes that compliment both your skin tone and your skin’s color intensity level. This is known as shade matching.
- Try matching your nail color to your nail beds instead of your skin tone for an equally harmonious look.
- Choose nail colors that you love. It sounds simple, but it’s true. If you don’t love the color, you won’t wear it.
- Pick a finish that you like. Do you prefer creams, shimmers, metallics, or glitters?
Think about your own personal style and what you tend to wear most often. This will help you narrow down your choices.
Let’s polish things off
Natural nail colors are a great choice for anyone who wants a versatile and low-maintenance manicure. They go with everything and work for any situation from the office to a special event.
If you’re unsure of what shades to choose, consider your skin tone and undertone, as well as the intensity level of your skin color. And most importantly, pick a polish that you love!
I hope that you enjoyed this post and that you found it useful.
Thanks for reading and happy polishing!
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