As much as I adore a bold, artistic mani moment, more often than not I resort to chic neutrals. Creamy ivory, cool gray, chocolate brown—deliciously understated shades will always look elegant, so why spend 10 precious minutes contemplating your entire aesthetic at the polish wall? That said, I’ve found myself craving a hint of something extra lately. I don’t necessarily want to sprint to the other side of the spectrum with 3D nail art (stunning as it may be), but I want more than a coat of milky polish. And for that, I turn to the “almost neutral” category.
An “almost neutral” polish is exactly how it sounds—one that’s not black, brown, white, or sheer pink but is so universally flattering that it could almost pass as a classic shade. It adds a playful pop of color to your nails while remaining sophisticated, so it’s perfect for switching up your go-to mani without completely reinventing the wheel. Curious which hues to choose? I asked my fellow WWW beauty editors to point out their most stylish picks—below, the seven “almost neutrals” we’ll never stop wearing.
1. Apricot
Peach is the ultimate “almost neutral” nail color. It easily adds a punch of pigment without overpowering your entire look, keeping things chic and understated. Dial down the intensity just a smidge, and you’ll wind up with apricot—an equally stunning hue that leans slightly more orange than pink. Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock is a major fan, touting J.Hannah’s Himalayan Salt as one of her go-to shades; the warm pinky-orange is inspired by natural elements (think rose quartz) and is universally flattering. For more of a playful iteration, opt for assistant editor Sabrina Talbert’s beloved apricot press-ons from Chillhouse—stunningly hypnotizing.
Chillhouse
Chill Tips – Let It Flow
J. Hannah
Nail Polish – Himalayan Salt
OPI
Nail Lacquer – Apricot AF
2. Olive Green
IMO, earth tones are always a good idea—but that doesn’t mean you must resort to neutral hues like brown, gray, and white. For a fun pop of color that still reads low-key, olive green is a perfect pick. One of my personal favorites, the muted green makes any outfit I own instantly more stylish. While I’ve committed to brighter greens for the past few months, I’m eager to gloss my tips in a luxe, dirty-martini polish à la Gitti Pine Leaf come fall.
Talbert agrees, recommending another Chillhouse set with olive, gray, and white retro squiggles. “Every now and then, I want a mani that feels earthy but isn’t quite my typical plain beige or brown set,” she says. “These press-ons from Chillhouse have a fun pattern that I love to wear as summer transitions to fall. Plus, they last me up to three weeks!”
Chillhouse
Chill Tips – Gone Glamping
gitti
Nail Polish – No. 013 Pine Leaf
3. Less-Basic Reds
Fiery reds are a dime a dozen these days, but it takes a very special polish to truly stand out among a sea of crimson hues. Leave it to Beauty Director Erin Jahns to find the crown jewel. “The Gel Bottle in Orange Flambé—the number of compliments I’ve gotten on this color is insane,” she tells me. “It will look a little different depending on the light and your skin tone, but it’s this really flattering orange-meets-pink situation—classic but also unlike any other red or orange you see out and about.” That exact polish is only sold to professionals (sigh), but OPI’s Totally Red-ical is about as clean of a swap as you can find. You’re welcome!
Jahns also praises DND’s Ferrari Red, another gorgeous gel option not to be missed at your next salon appointment. “When I’ve worn it to the office, multiple people ask for the shade name and proceed to request it at their next manicure,” she adds. For those who prefer regular polish to gels, associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia has just the red for you: OPI’s I’m Not Really a Waitress. “She’s chic in the summer, festive in the winter, and perennially classy!”
OPI
I’m Not Really a Waitress
DND
Gel Polish Set – Ferrari Red
4. Graphite
Okay, technically gray is considered a neutral. But a graphite gray so rich it almost reads black? Well, that just hits different. Brascia certainly agrees, who calls Gitti’s Midnight Grey “a classic fall and winter go-to.” Peer closely, and you can even spot hints of blue swirling in its moody depths. Swoon. I’d also add JinSoon’s Mica to the “interesting graphite” category, as the gray polish contains flecks of chrome pigments—a little something extra to catch the eye.
Gitti
No. 184 Midnight Grey
5. Desert Rose
Remember what I said about earth tones? Consider desert rose the cool, stylish cousin of that family. Warm and rich yet not too vibrant, the romantic hue is all I want to wear come fall. Pinks are tough for me (Jahns agrees, sharing that she doesn’t want something that “feels too Barbie”), but those brown undertones in this mauve-y, muted shade keep the color from feeling too “sweet.”
Le Mini Macaron
Rose Buttercream
6. Sage
For those craving a green softer than olive, sage provides a perfect, milky base. Who says pastels have to scream spring? I’d go so far as to say that sporting a creamy pistachio green looks extra chic in the fall and winter months. McLintock concurs, favoring Essie’s Turquoise and Caicos—which, despite its beachy name, doesn’t actually read too tropical. It adds more of a limewash effect to the nails, especially if you stick to just one, glossy coat.
Essie
Turquoise and Caicos
7. Navy
I’m officially crowning navy the coolest year-round nail color. Yes, even chicer than brown and jet black. It offers a refreshing, modern look for the warmer months (a literal splash among the corals, yellow, and hot pinks of the season), and it makes you look instantly elegant during fall and winter. Brascia can’t recommend it enough, touting Essie’s Caviar Bar as one of the best at-home polishes you can buy. “It’s the perfect shade of Titanic water blue, and I can’t seem to get enough of navy in general leading up to fall!” she declares.