Ever since I can remember, I’ve been partial to neutral nail polish shades I can count on to complement my dark skin tone while working well with the bright whites, blues, and earth tones that make up the bulk of my wardrobe. Despite this, until recently, brown nail polish was never my first pick when faced with an expansive selection of shades at the salon. Here’s the thing—I spent over 11 years of my childhood avoiding anything other that OPI’s Bubble Bath, Put in Neutral, and Sweet Heart due to my dance studio’s strict rule of keeping our nails natural-looking, clean, and clipped at all times.
Little did I know that as a melanin-blessed ballerina, there were about twice as many shades of brown across a number of brands that were my nude. Now, as a beauty editor, I’ve come to the conclusion, based on expert findings and my own exploration with products, that neutral nail polish shades, particularly brown colors, are perpetually in style. Year after year, shades of brown are spotted on and off the runways, worn by award-winning celebrities on red carpets and all the fashion people populating your Instagram Explore page.
Keep reading to take a look at some of the trendiest brown nail colors that we’ll be seeing on only the most stylish people this season, from OPI’s cult-classic Espresso Yourself to the ever-luxurious Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Brun Bistre. I’ve even provided a few of my go-to manicure tools to get the perfect nail look every time. You’re welcome!
