Smooth, creamy ivory, sheer “barely there” pinks and soft, peachy nudes- these are some of my most-trusted, “it will go with everything” nail colors. There’s just something timeless, simple and effortless about my favorite bunch over here.
I just mentioned in this post that I’m taking a break from gel manicures, so I’m bringing back my most loved regular and “UV-lamp-free” gel polishes back into the rotation.
Essie Gel Couture Lace Me Up– creamy, rose-pink that’s a bit on the pale side. It’s like a toned-down version of Muchi, Muchi, or a nice alternative to Fiji– which is gorgeous but an absolute nightmare to apply.
Essie Perennial Chic– the only “true nude” polish that doesn’t blend in with my skin and is flattering on my skin tone. It’s a peachy nude that’s classic, simple and elegant.
Essie Tuck It In My Tux
Essie Tuck It In My Tux– subtle, classy, a bit sheer and feminine creamy ivory. It’s a great alternative to solid white, as it’s not as intimidating. It has these lovely pastel vibes going on, that make it a great, all-year-round color.
Essie Urban Jungle– an alabaster orchid shade that’s both edgy and simple; an off-white with an ever so slightly pink undertone.
Essie Gel Couture Sheer Fantasy
Essie Gel Couture Sheer Fantasy– sheer, “barely there” pink that’s perfect if you prefer more subtle and natural-looking nails. Usually, I like to apply 3 coats- the end result is still sheer, just a bit more pink-ish than with only one or two coats.
Givenchy Pink Perfecto– a pretty pastel pink with a sleep, satin finish. Perfect for everyday wear. The applicator brush is just as good as with Dior and Essie Gel Couture polishes- it’s curved which allows for a perfect application without getting any product on your cuticles.
Tom Ford Sugar Dune
Tom Ford Sugar Dune– cool-toned, creamy pinky beige that’s also perfect for a minimal, natural look. I find that usually with lighter colors, Tom Ford polishes have to be applied in three coats to get an even and smooth application.
Tom Ford Show Me The Pink– a warm, peachy pink with just a hint of silver shimmer and a very long-lasting formula. The shimmer is very subtle and is noticeable only in direct sunlight.
Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Sure Thing– my absolute favorite white nail polish and a summer must-have. This bright white applies smoothly and evenly, unlike pretty much every other white nail polish I’ve tried over the years. Revlon’s Gel Envy polishes used with their Gel Envy Top Coat give a beautiful, smooth, glossy finish that’s also long-lasting, without having to use the UV lamp.
Dior Incognito– next to Essie, Dior polishes have both my favorite formula and the applicator brush. Incognito is a nude beige with delicate rosy undertones.
Dior Tra-La-La– another pretty, feminine pink. It can be applied in one coat, for a sheer finish, or in two-three coats for an opaque look.
Marc Jacobs White Snow– creamy off-white that isn’t as bright as a true white but is more on a delicate and soft side.
Lakur Out of Office– creamy pastel pink with a high-shine finish and long-lasting, nail-strengthening formula.
If I had to narrow it down to just two or three favorite colors… I probably couldn’t, just because they’re all so different (even though they might all look very similar). What are some of your favorite nail colors from this category? Do you prefer pinks or true, flesh-toned nudes?