Zendaya and Nicole Kidman Both Co-Sign This Timeless Fall Nail Color

Why are nude nails popular right now?

Sweater weather is nearly upon us, which means nail colors like black cherry, chocolate brown, and plum are inevitably bound to follow—and we welcome them! But as we put away the bright summer neons and floral designs, it’s nice to opt for a more transitional shade before going full-on moody: That’s where nude polish comes in. As the faithful beauty editor that I am, I couldn’t help but notice all the nail looks on the 2026 Emmys red carpet. Celebs (Zendaya, Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning... the list goes on) are making a very convincing case for nude nails right now, which can come in many forms—from light pink jellies to sandy beige chai latte shades—and offer a way to ease into the new season. I lost count of the number of these manis I spotted, but I know it was more than I could count on my own nude-polished fingers (it’s CND Shellac Gel Polish in shade We Want Mauve, if you’re wondering).

Many stars have recently leaned into a barely-there manicure style for the red carpet, reiterating the fact that it works great for both everyday looks and events that require full-glam alike. Simply put: “Nail trends come and go, but sheer nudes are forever,” says Stephanie Stone, a nail artist and Sally Hansen nail style director. “No matter the season, sheer pink is always my most highly requested color from celebs or on set shooting a campaign. They are timeless and I don’t see that changing.” Since muted nails are definitely sticking around for fall, keep reading to learn how to find the right shade for you and to see plenty of inspo pics.

One of my favorite things about nude manicures is that even though they’re a minimalist look, there are seemingly endless ways to wear them. And that’s exactly what I noticed on the red carpet. From peach chrome to pale pink to skin tone-matching shades, there was no shortage of creativity on what is arguably a very basic manicure. “Nude nails have always been a red carpet staple because they keep the look chic and timeless,” Stone says. “For that same reason nudes are also always seasonally appropriate.”

They’re also unfussy, so they look polished without demanding attention (read: they match with everything, so no need to worry about coordinating your nails with whatever color you’re wearing that day). “I think nude nails can really help someone feel really put together,” Stone says. “A simple nude nail is like putting a bow on your whole look.”

How to find the best nude nail polish for you

There’s plenty of room under the “nude” umbrella. It doesn’t necessarily mean matching your polish exactly to your skin—milky whites, creamy mauves, translucent taupes, and other muted neutrals are all fair game to create that clean, understated effect. However, sheer pinky nudes or beige jellies are “by far the most popular” shades lately, Stone says. “Rarely does anyone want a full coverage opaque anymore—it’s all about the gloss,” she adds. So, think about reaching for shades in these categories to start, but beyond that, you’ll also want to consider your skin’s undertone.

I feel like finding your perfect nude is kinda like finding your perfect foundation shade: The undertone can make all the difference. For example, I find that warmer polish options look too orange or peachy on me, since I have cool undertones. But one that looks perfect on me might pull too pink, yellow, or gray against someone else’s complexion. Because of this, “the best way to find your best nude is to swatch a few on your nails and see which one enhances your nails the best,” says Stone. Don’t be afraid to play around with different bottles of polish at the nail salon and swatch them on your nails before committing. “Generally, my clients want their polish to complement their hands, not completely match them,” says Stone.

How to create nude nails

Did you absolutely fall in love with Selena Gomez’s subtle chrome mani or Sarah Snook’s milky white tips at the Emmys? Then figuring out what to ask for at the nail salon is easy: Just show photos of their manicures to your nail tech so they can recreate it. “Whether it’s a zoomed in photo of a celeb’s hands or a picture you found on Pinterest, a photo gives you a way better shot of getting the nails you want than trying to describe something,” says Stone. We’ve got you covered with plenty of pictures so you can take screenshots galore before your next appointment.

But before we get into those, make sure that you invest some time pre-polish. “A nude manicure is all about the prep,” Stone says. If you don’t file your nails and clean your cuticles first, any imperfections will show since the color is so muted. This goes double for sheer polishes. “My go-to for easy cuticle clean up is Sally Hansen Push & Buff Oil Infused Cuticle Eraser,” she says. “All you have to do is use it to push your cuticles back and it does all the hard work for you. After you clean your cuticles, cleanse with alcohol, and always finish every mani with a super glossy top coat and cuticle oil once you’re dry.” Okay, now it’s picture time—check out a few star-studded takes on nude manis for fall.

Nude manicure inspo photos

Gilbert Flores//Getty Images

Amy Sussman//Getty Images

Michael Buckner//Getty Images

Christina House//Getty Images

LISA O'CONNOR//Getty Images

Monica Schipper//Getty Images

Meet the expert

• Stephanie Stone is a celebrity and editorial nail artist and Sally Hansen nail style director. She has worked with stars like Karol G, Charli XCX, Victoria Pedretti, and more.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmo. She’s covered and tested all things nails, from the coolest new polish colors to cuticle care and nail art trends.

Catharine MalzahnContributing beauty writer

Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.