A nude mani is the white T-shirt and jeans of the beauty world; why? It never goes out of style, says editor Trudi Brewer - who is celebrating that classic nail look, being pretty hip again.
Read on to be inspired.
Images @stephstonenails
Nude polish is the perfect natural canvas; that never seems to date. It’s elegant, timeless and an upgrade on your body's already-beautiful assets. So why is a nude mani so alluring? Well, we can thank the famous polish colours from OPI's Nail Envy Bubble Bath and Essie's Ballet Slippers for making it an enduring trend; those colours look like painted perfection on any skin tone or nail length. One of our favourite L.A. manicurists Stephanie Stone, says, “A nude manicure helps you feel polished, professional, and put together while also appearing low maintenance and effortless.” That said, nude nails can mean different things to different people; some prefer a sheer finish to let their natural nail colour peek through. Others favour an opaque, creamy colour for a more uniform vibe. One thing a nude nail does instantly is elongate your fingertips. So how do you choose a shade that best reflects your natural skin tone – you can choose a shade lighter for a delicate look or slightly darker for a high fashion twist.
Inspiration to update a classic nude nail by manicurist Stephanie Stone
@stephstonenails
"Finding your perfect nail polish nude is not like matching your foundation. It doesn't have to be spot-on to your skin, but complement it,” says Stone. The biggest bonus, nude nail shades are lower maintenance. Chips are less noticeable than bold colours. For those DIY nail enthusiasts, you don’t have to have a steady hand to create a slick-looking nude lacquer. While there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all regarding nude shades, I have one tip I follow: To avoid mannequin-like-looking hands that end up looking dead, aim for a nude colour that is two shades, darker or darker, lighter than your natural skin tone.
Our favourite nude lacquers
My favourite, universally flattering nude polishes include Essie Ballet Slippers, $19. OPI Nail Envy Bubble Bath, $32. Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Nail Polish in Rock Steady, $18. ORLY EPIX in Close Up, $25. Revlon Nail Enamel in Sheer Petal, $18. JINsoon Nail Lacquer, $35
