22 Natural Nail Options For A Clean, Timeless Manicure
There’s more to natural nails than meets the eye.
Forget the notion that natural nails are boring, safe or any other derogatory word. For converts, natural nails represent a sure thing every single time. Elegant and versatile, they work for work, play, weddings, vacation – you name it, natural nails suit.
However, there is a difference between natural nails that just work and those that seem ever so slightly off, much of which can be attributed to choosing a natural shade with the wrong undertone for your skin’s undertone. 'You can determine which undertone you have by thinking about which type of jewellery suits you best,' says Ruuby’s Head of Concierge Serena Selby. 'Gold jewellery typically flatters warm skin tones, silver jewellery suits cool skin tones and if both work well, you’re likely to have a neutral undertone.'
Of course, you can choose whichever nail colour you want, whenever you want. Adorning our digits with things that are unexpected, unusual or expressions of our style is one of life’s little joys. If you’re trying to create a natural manicure that blends subtly into the background, though, here’s a cheat sheet to take to the salon.
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How To Choose The Right Natural Nail Shade For You
- Light skin tones: soft pinks, pale beiges and milk whites
- Fair skin tones: soft peach, nude rose and subtle mauves. 'Warmer neutrals compliment fair skin without appearing too washed out,' says Selby.
- Medium skin tones: peachy nudes, caramel-toned pinks and muted terracottas. 'Shades with warm undertones enhance the skin's natural warmth.'
- Deep skin tones: rich caramels, warm browns, deep mauves and cocoa-toned nudes.
Best Natural Nail Inspiration For a Classic Manicure
Soft Natural
A sheer shade built up with multiple coats gives the impression of naturally healthy, glossed nails.
Dusky Pink
If you like the look of natural nails but prefer a touch of colour, a dusky rose polish can work wonders.
Pastel Wash
One for future brides, pairing a sheer pastel with a modern shape is a simple way to update your Big Day manicure.
Warm Caramel
A testament to what picking the right undertone can do to elevate your natural nails, this warm, slightly peachy shade blends seamlessly in.
Glazed Natural
A take on the glazed doughnut manicure that’s a smidge more subtle thanks to a short, squoval shape and gleaming, hazy chrome finish.
Muted Rose
This shade is the epitome of your nails on their very best day.
Sheer Squoval
This mid-length natural manicure is the definition of a little something without being obviously done.
Peach French
Allow us this one slight stretch: switching a French tip from white to peach can look more subtle than the classic colour combination. If this is too adorned for your natural nail definition, skip the tip and stick with the muted nude base.
Natural Cocoa
As Selby says, a darker colour can create that illusion of understated length.
Natural Bubble Bath
Opt into the Clean Girl trend with a milky natural manicure.
Taupe Blush
A natural shade with a neutral undertone like this can work for all undertones.
Shade Scale
Natural nails too simple for your tastes? Alternate nude shades with varying undertones from peach to pink, apricot and white.
Natural Ombrê
A seamless transition from nude to cloudy white makes this ombré a low-key alternative to the classic French.
The ‘No Polish’ Polish
One coat of glossy natural polish is the quickest way to imbue life and freshness into your nails.
Natural Glow
The TikTok-viral secret to a high-shine clean-looking manicure? Dior’s Nail Glow – a sheer, pink-infused polish that dries in minutes.
Natural Peach
Natural needn’t always mean sheer. This opaque peach shade still sits in the natural category with just a hint more oomph.
Natural Pearl
Okay, you might not be able to pass off pearly nails as something you were born with but that doesn’t mean they should be passed over. For an understated finish, keep the base to a nude colour or no polish.
Natural Beige
Make like Jennifer Lopez with this natural, coffin-shaped manicure.
French Natural
Drastically slim down your French tip for an elegant update to the classic natural style.
Morgan Fargo is a freelance beauty and wellness editor. Her CV includes Women's Health Magazine UK (and sister publication Women's Health Australia), Stylist Magazine and more.
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