Who doesn’t love a good manicure? Healthy hands and nails are just as important to your appearance as moisturized hair and dewy, glowing skin. A fun colored nail polish is an affordable and easy way to up a look. Wearing an all-black ensemble? A bright red mani (with matching lip) will go well with that. Jeans and a t-shirt kind of day? A vampy navy blue will pair well.

But the one mani look that goes well with every outfit and occasion is the classic, quintessential, nude-colored nail. When I say nude, I mean nude for black women, that is, various shades of brown. Much like a nude heel, the perfect shade of nude nail polish will give the appearance of longer, more slender fingers, and is just effortlessly elegant. For some nude nail options for my fellow melanated ladies, read on.

Essie Clothing Optional

Source: Essie website

This is my all-time favorite nude nail polish, so much so I have three backup bottles on deck for when my current one runs out. It is a natural sienna brown neutral toned polish that would look great on every skin tone. Other great Essie nudes are Truth or Bare (a cinnamon-brown with a touch of red) or Mink Muffs (a smoky taupe brown)

OPI Chocolate Moose

Source: OPI Website

OPI is one of my favorite nail polish brands. The included brush, which is nice and wide, allows you to cover a larger surface area of nail per swipe. Chocolate Moose is a beautiful warm brown that I usually wear this shade in the summer months. If this shade isn’t available near you, you could try OPI You Don’t Know Jacques, a rich taupey color.

Defy and Inspire Behind Closed Doors

Target’s own-brand nail polish is a winner for me on several levels: they are 9-free (meaning they lack 9 potentially harmful ingredients). The color selection is incredible, they are easy to get my hands (well, nails) on, and they are definitely budget-friendly. My go to nude, Behind Closed Doors, is a great cool chocolatey brown.

Source: Target

Orly Prince Charming

When I first started diving into the realm of beauty, Orly was the first brand of nail polish I bought en masse, so they have a special, nostalgic place in my heart. Prince Charming is a cool toned taupey brown, ideal all year round, but especially great in the autumn and winter.

Source: Ebay

If you’re a DIY manicurist like I am, be sure to finish off your manicure with a reliable top coat. I have used the Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat for years and it locks my polish in for added longevity. What nude polishes do you gravitate to? Let us know in the comments (so I can add it to my arsenal!)