5 Timeless Nail Colors That Never Go Out of Style

We love a new nail trend as much as the next person — especially when it’s as flattering as 2022’s glazed doughnut nails, or as fun and flashy as the chrome manicure that was everywhere in 2023 — but sometimes we just want something simple and classic. Fortunately, there are a few colors we can always count on to look good. From pale pink to black, these timeless hues never go out of style. So whether you’re looking to restock your personal polish collection or just overwhelmed by options at the salon, reach for one of these enduring favorites.

Bright Cherry Red

Cherry red is like the stiletto of manicures: It’s classic, but it makes a statement. It’s a power color; like red lipstick, a killer red dress, or a certain designer’s very expensive red-soled shoes, red nails exude confidence and practically demand to be noticed. You might even feel more self-assured just seeing the crimson hue on your hand.

There’s no shortage of red polishes to choose from, but our favorites include OPI’s Big Apple Red, Zoya’s Cherri, Essie’s Not Red-y for Bed and She’s Pampered, Olive & June’s Candy Dipped, and Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel Rhapsody Red.

Pale Pink or Blush

There’s a reason Essie’s Ballet Slippers is a perennial bestseller. (Even Queen Elizabeth II was a fan.) The classic pale pink polish is the perfect complement to any look, in part because it’s so subtle; it doesn’t clash or compete with anything else you’re wearing, whether you’re dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt or dolled up in a lacy white wedding gown. It’s safe, unobtrusive, and universally flattering — and it’s low-maintenance, to boot. With bold colors, chips and imperfections stand out more, but with a neutral, almost translucent pink, you can get away with fewer touch-ups. 

Ballet Slippers is, of course, the ideal, but there are countless dupes and variations from other brands, and even within the Essie lineup. Our favorite versions of this hue are soft and slightly sheer, for a clean, your-nails-but-better look: Try OPI’s Bubble Bath, Essie’s Gel Couture Sheer Fantasy, or Olive & June’s CCT.

Nude or Neutral Tones 

Not unlike Essie’s Ballet Slippers, nude nails go with everything. They’re great for a clean, minimalist aesthetic — nothing is more minimal than a polish that blends in with your skin or natural nail, after all — but they’re also a perfect base for nail art, if you want to experiment with geometric designs or neon accents.

The range of what’s considered nude is expansive, too: Rich chocolate browns like Essie’s No To-Do or Nails.Inc’s cocoa-scented Meet Me on Mars, for example, look gorgeous on darker skin tones, but so do lighter rosy beige or caramelly tan hues. (Butter London’s Mum’s the Word, Essie’s Topless and Barefoot, and Essie’s Paintbrush It Off are all excellent options.) You can even go for shimmer: Copper, bronze, and rose gold, like Olive & June’s Penny or OJSM shades, are lovely choices that function like neutrals with a little something extra.

Black

There’s something effortlessly cool about black nails. Whether matte or glossy, used on its own or as an accent, black polish is chic and versatile — it can be goth and witchy or understated and elegant, depending on your vibe and the rest of your look. It also pairs well with almost any other color, from light neutrals to vibrant jewel tones to glittery metallics. (Think: a solid black manicure with thin gold tips.) Essie’s Licorice is a go-to favorite, but we also like OPI’s Black Onyx, Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel Blacky O, and Orly’s Liquid Vinyl.

Deep Burgundy

If black feels a little too stark for you, deep burgundy is a great option with a similar effect. A mix of red, purple, and brown tones, it’s less dramatic than black but still plenty bold and moody — a great option for the cooler months of fall and winter. And finished with a glass-like top coat, it oozes luxury and sophistication. It also looks stunning as an accent color in the negative space mani trend, if you want to try something a little different. Our favorite options in this shade range include Essie’s Full Blast and Berry Naughty, Orly’s Just Bitten, Ten Over Ten’s Orchard, and Olive & June’s Obsessed. For burgundy with some shimmer, OPI’s Big Sagittarius Energy is — as the brand itself says — “pure fire.”