This Next-to-Nothing Nail Colour Is Set to Be the Most Popular Shade of 2021
Whether you're still mastering your at-home mani or are finally able to venture back to the salon, there's one nail colour that's already dominating the rest in terms of popularity this year. Now, we know you might be thinking of classic red or even soft pink (Ballet Slippers by Essie has definitely reached icon status), but neither is as universally loved as beige nail colours. That's right. Beige shades—from light tan to rich, near-brown hues—can be spotted on the fingers of more celebrities and fashion girls than any other. In the "less is more" beauty landscape of 2021, it's set to become even more popular.
If this revelation is making your head spin, it's probably because you think of beige as a boring shade. But as our most stylish pals have proven via gorgeous beige fashion looks, this neutral hue is a classic staple that always makes a statement. Not to mention, there are literally dozens of variations of it to fit any and every skin tone or finish preference.
Still sceptical? Challenge accepted. Ahead, check out 21 of our favourite beige nail colours to carry out your chicest manicure yet.
Deep Beige
Shades of beige run the gamut from almost white to deeper hues reminiscent of the lightest variations of brown. Aside from adding a bit more impact than their much lighter counterparts, deep-beige nail colours also serve as the perfect neutral tones for those with darker skin.
Sheer Beige
Though beige is already considered one of the most subtle nail colours out there, sheer-beige options take the idea of barely there to the next level. This milky varnish is perfect for those who want just a little something while still letting their natural nails shine through. Additionally, it's a beautiful base for endless nail-art designs.
Tinged Beige
If you tend to find beige too dull, you might be happy to hear that there are tons of hues for which it simply serves as the base colour. This means shades in the beige family can skew pink, green, blue, and more, making for much more lively colours fit for the more adventurous amongst us.
Beige Press-Ons
Nail polish is great if you've got a steady hand and the time to commit to a full-on paint job, but for those who want claws that look professionally manicured faster than you can say boo, then press-ons are the best bet. There are so many stylish options out there these days, too.
Beige Ombré
When you can't settle on just one nail colour, an ombré set is the most stylish way to scratch that itch. Whether you're committing to varying shades of beige or a coordinated collection of colours, you really can't go wrong.
True Beige
All variations aside, true-beige nail colours are in a league of their own. There's really nothing better than a light, natural-looking, and creamy polish to give you the cleanest minimalist manicure or even set the stage for some masterful nail art.
Beige Nail Art
While it might be more common to see nail art that calls in all the colours of the rainbow, you can create equally fun looks anchored by neutral shades. It's just further evidence that beige nail colours are anything but boring.
This colour could very well be the star of your next manicure.
Up next, these laidback hair trends are going to be everywhere in 2021.
Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previously Who What Wear's associate beauty editor after spending many years working at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.
-
Hailey Bieber Used This OPI Nail Colour for Her Milky French Manicure—I'm Copying It Immediately
This is what to ask for in the salon.
-
You Heard It Here First—These Are the 6 Biggest Summer Nail Colour Trends of 2025
Straight from an expert.
-
Dua Lipa's Grand Prix Manicure Is So Chic for Summer, I'm Still Thinking About It a Week Later
Swooning!
-
Trust Me: "Cookie Cream" Nails Are Giving Milky Manis a Run for Their Money This Summer
It looks as delicious as it sounds.
-
I Take Back Everything I Said Before, *This* Is the Chicest Pedicure I've Ever Seen
I need to try this ASAP.
-
I'm an Expert in Manicure Trends—These Are the 7 Most Popular Nail Colours of 2025 So Far
They're already reigning supreme.
-
I Can't Help But Notice This Summer Nail Trend Has Kicked the Humble French Manicure to the Kerb
Starfish, shells and crustaceans galore.
-
Quiet Luxury, Who? I'm Saving These 11 Bright Nail Designs for My Next Salon Visit
The bolder, the better.