42 Neutral Nail Ideas for a Minimalistic Look





Last Updated: May 4, 2022

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If you’re looking for a nail look that pairs with any outfit and is always in style, neutral nails are the way to go.

Whether you’re looking to follow the latest trends or stick with a classic design that never goes out of style, we’ve got you covered.

Here are some of our favorite neutral nail ideas that will always look chic. From shades of beige to greige to a nearly naked nail to more fun designs, these nails are perfect for any occasion!

Neutral Nail Ideas

Matte Neutral

Keep it simple with your favorite neutral shade on top of squared acrylics. A matte topcoat keeps your nails looking as minimalistic and neutral as possible.

Shiny Natural Nails

Your perfect neutral nail might just involve adding a shiny topcoat on top of your natural nail color. Or, you can select a nail shade that closely resembles your natural nail color.

Either way, this sleek nail looks put together and doesn’t fail to match every outfit. 

As you can see, this looks amazing with an almond nail shape.

Add Some Glitter

A little glitter never hurts.

If you want to add some excitement, opt for a glitter ombre on top of your favorite neutral nail color.

Simple, but Abstract

Another great idea for those looking for neutral nails that also stand out, this abstract design somehow manages to be minimalistic and eye-catching.

Opt for a neutral tan instead of the pink color in the image below for a perfect neutral nail.

Add Some Gems

To spice up your neutral nail, add a few small gems on top like basic white pearls. But to keep it neutral, don’t go for something too sparkly or overly large. These small pearls are the perfect example.

Neutral Greige

Most of us think of various shades of brown when we hear the word neutral, but lighter greys or greige colors can be another gorgeous neutral shade to incorporate.

Add Flowers

To keep it minimalistic yet fun, adding a little flower art on top of natural nails is a fun way to spruce things up. Perfect for warm weather!

Wavy Neutrals

Waves are all the rage right now and we’re obsessed with this trend – take advantage of it while it’s here. Enjoy the following wavy neutral nails ideas:

Super Squared

If you’re doing acrylics, we’re loving this extra square nail shape to add a little something extra to your neutral nails. Just don’t scratch someone. 

Mini French Tip

Regular french tips are a little too much if you’re trying to keep it minimalistic, but this thinner version of French tips is the perfect neutral nail. You can even swap out the white with a more neutral nail color, like tan or blush.

Neutral, But Make It Fun

Opting for neutral nails doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. Add a fun decal to one or two nails, like the little bear below.

Blank Space

If you haven’t noticed already, a lot of neutral nail ideas utilize a lot of blank space. You can even opt for more out-there designs, like a leopard print,

Add Extra Design on Ring Finger

If you want minimalistic nails without them being too boring, you can always add a more extravagant design to your ring fingers.

Fiery Neutrals

This flame design is a fun neutral design. Trade the black outline for a darker brown to keep it 100% neutral! 

Neutral Marbled

We’re loving this drippy marble design. Again, you can swap out the black for a darker brown if desired to create a completely neutral color palette.

Right Triangle

This fun right-triangle design adds a fun piece of art to your nail without going overboard.

Peachy Acrylics

We love this peach color when it comes to neutral nails, not to mention the fun change of design on two nails.

French Dipped

This fun French tip design utilizes different neutral colors on each nail. A fun way to keep things neutral while also changing things up!

Try Caramel Tones

Don’t limit yourself – there are a ton of beautiful neutral tones to utilize.

Add A Butterfly

Because why not? Instead of the blue color below, opt for a dark brown butterfly to fit in with the neutral color palette.

Try A Marbelized Design

You can never go wrong with gorgeous marble nail art. This design utilizes some black with gold glitter, but you can always swap these out for other neutral colors. Plus, adding the design to just two nails on each hand keeps it more minimalistic. 

Natural Nail with Hearts

This design simply features a few hearts across your nails. You can opt for gold, or keep it more neutral with your favorite tan or dark brown neutral shade. 

Classy Nudes/Beige

If you want to keep things more simple, you can stick with a universal beige or nude color across all your nails. This is always a great choice – it’s classy and pairs with any outfit. 

Add Some Foil

Sparkly foil is another fun way to add some shine to your neutral nails. You can keep it minimalistic and add some silver or gold foil to your natural nail, or add it on top of a more neutral color.

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