I don’t remember the last time I wore a color other than nude or clear nail polish on my fingers. It’s easy, and always looks fresh. Because I usually always wear nudes I’m forever testing new neutral shades and have a hard time keeping track of the nudes I love best. I’ve been wanting to create the ultimate “test-off” for some time now (for myself personally so I could for once and for all find my perfect nude nail polish) and thought I’d share the notes. I started by rounding up an assortment of top contenders from my favorite nail polish brands (a handful of these are usually in constant rotation) and spent a recent afternoon painting my nails. It was kind of the best.
First things first, I broke the polishes into three shade categories (whites, pinks, yellows)… and the top 4 from each color category. I loved shades from each category but because my fair skin has a hint of yellow to it my perfect nudes came from this category. Below are the notes but the two finalists were: OPI Samoan Sand (the best true nude) and RGB Buff (the best clear nude).
Whites | RGB Pearl (opalescence; really pretty shimmer). OPI So Many Clowns… So Little Time (very clear). OPI Step Right Up! (very white). NARS Ithaque (almost identical to OPI Step Right Up!).
I would recommend all 4 as top contenders for clear polishes. Also, although not pictured or listed–RGB Taken–is one of my longtime faves.
Pinks | RGB 10 (*loved and realized should actually be in clear section). RGB Beach. NARS Zakynthos (*out of the running–not a true nude but so pretty!). RGB Cameo (*most mauve–not a nude).
*This is where you run into trouble at the nail salon / drug store–when choosing based on the bottles and not testing first. But if you’re looking for a mauve or darker nude with a touch of pink the NARS Zakynthos was my favorite from this category.
Yellows | Deborah Lippmann Shifting Sands. OPI Samoan Sand (**winner overall). RGB Beige. RGB Buff (**best clear nude).
I’m very fair skinned with a slight hint of yellow so this category matches my skin tone the best. I loved all 4 of these shades but RGB Buff and OPI Samoan Sand were hands down the best nudes out of them all. RGB Buff is a clearer nude while Samoan Sand is the perfect true nude.
