You might think you’re a good decision-maker, but when faced with a salon nail wheel, even the most of decisive of us can be thrown into a state of panic and hesitation. Bright pink or baby pink? Milk nails or chocolate nails? When faced with such an abundance of shades you realise that there really is such thing as too much choice—and we all know that post manicure regret is real.
Choosing a nail colour might not be the hardest decision we ever have to make, but there certainly is a lot to consider. Which shade of pink will suit your skin tone? Do darker colours look better on long or short nails? What occasions and outfits do you have planned and do you want your nails to match or clash?
While bold and bright nail art designs are always trending, if you’re feeling indecisive then it’s always advisable to play it safe. Soft, muted, elegant nail colours are far less likely to trigger regret and much more likely to complement your skin tone, nail length, and outfit choices.
If you’re feeling indecisive ahead of your next manicure appointment, here are six elegant nail colours that always look good.
1. Pistachio Green
Green might not seem like an obvious choice, but if you do want to try something a little different—without opting for a bright or neon shade—this soft and muted hue suits and flatters all skin tones.
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Barry M
Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Pistachio
Expect an ultra-pigmented pistachio green with a high shine finish in just one coat.
Nailberry
Minty Fresh Oxygenated Nail Lacquer
If you do fancy experimenting with nail art, this cool-toned green pairs beautifully with pink or lilac.
Sephora Collection
Sephora Collection Nail Polish in Fresh Mint
When you want to embrace colour without anything too bright, this soft minty green is the perfect option.
2. Blush Pink
Bright, bold pink shades are certainly not for everyone. Try a sheer blush pink instead—it brings the same playful energy, without the intensity.
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Mylee
5-In-1 Builder Gel Light Pink
Ask any nail tech or manicurist and they’ll tell you that this elegant pink gel polish is a staple in their kit.
Nailberry
Pink Guava Oxygenated Nail Lacquer
While this shade is a little brighter, its sheer formula keeps it looking subtle and sophisticated.
essie
Gel Couture Long Lasting High Shine Gel Nail Polish – 484 Matter of Fiction
A soft, muted pink, this shade is perfect for spring.
3. Sheer Pink
Elegant and understated barely-there nail colours are having a major moment right now. Think, my nails but better—a clean and shiny sheer pink is the ultimate classic nail shade, and it looks good on everyone.
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essie
Nail Polish – 13 Mademoiselle
This sheer translucent pink looks elegant both when worn alone and as a base for nail art designs.
OPI
Nail Envy Nail Strengthener Treatment in Bubble Bath
This always-sold-out nail polish is a favourite of celebrity manicurist, Harriet Westmoreland.
Mylee
5-In-1 Builder Gel in Laid Bare
Not only does this builder gel make nails look like a healthier version of themselves, but it actually helps to strengthen them in the process.
4. Deep Red
If you do gravitate towards darker, bolder shades, a deep, dark red always looks elegant. Sitting somewhere between a classic red and a true black, this is another suits-all shade that works all year round.
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Butter LONDON UK
Patent Shine 10x Nail Lacquer in Afters
This deep red is a more elegant and low-key alternative to a true crimson.
CHANEL
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in 155 Rouge Noir
There’s a reason why this polish has cult classic status, it looks good on everyone.
OPI
Got the Blues for Red
When you want something dark but not quite black, reach for this.
5. Chocolate Brown
Brown is a truly versatile neutral, and while you can experiment with shades ranging from sand and taupe to deep mahogany, chocolate brown nails are majorly on trend right now. The key is in finding the perfect molten, milky hue.
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nails inc.
Keep It Tonal Nail Polish Set
Everything you need to embrace the chocolate nails trend.
essie
Nail Polish in 497 Clothing Optional
With a soft pink-brown hue, this shade is elegant and sophisticated.
Nailberry
L’oxygene Nail Lacquer Taupe La
This formula is pigmented and high shine, resulting in a molten chocolate effect.
6. Off White
True white nails can look harsh and garish, and don’t really work with either cool or warm undertones, but with a soft off-white—think oat milk nails—you really can’t go wrong.
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DIOR
White Dior Vernis Gel Nail Polish
This warm-toned white is a staple, not just for all-over colour, but for French tips and nail art too.
Manucurist
Manucurist Green Flash Varnish Milky White
This is exactly the kind of off-white shade we want on both our fingers and our toes.
Nailberry
Almond Oxygenated Nail Lacquer
This cool-toned shade contrasts especially well with warmer skin tones.