Manicure Monday: My All-Time Favorite Neutral Nail Colors

OPI Bubble Bath
Butter London Nail Foundation
OPI Lincoln Park After Dark
Orly Country Club Khaki
Essie Urban Jungle
Essie Ballet Slippers
OPI You Don’t Know Jacques

My childhood Caboodle is stocked with Essie nail lacquers in every shade of the rainbow,  but these days all I want to wear are easy neutrals. They’re like the t-shirt and jeans of nail color: classic, comfortable, and er, polished (pardon the pun).

Annnnnd, if I’m being honest, part of me feels like my neon nail polish ship may have sailed when I crossed over the big 3-0; right alongside denim mini skirts, super low-rise jeans, and crop tops.

{Hover over images for links to each color; sources available on my Pinterest board, Nailed It.}

Responses

  1. Style Domination

    Hi Keira! What did you use to create the photo compilation for this post? Looks great – and the colours are bang on.

    Reply
  2. Reem Jazar

    Obessed with all these nail colours! SO stylish.
    xReem https://theundonegirl.wordpress.com

    Reply
  3. pratishtha687

    Reblogged this on pratishtha687's Blog and commented:
    Neutrals are always classy and can never go over the top….. And minimalism is the moment…

    Reply
  4. bhart2015

    Love the colors! They are normal and easy on the eyes! OPI seems to be THE polish of choice.

    Reply
    1. Keira Lennox

      OPI and Essie are my favorites! They hold up the best for me at my manicure-wrecking job.

      Reply
  5. lindsaybb

    Yes, I love all of these! Lincoln Park After Dark is probably my favorite, I wore it for years! I also love You Don’t Know Jacques!

    Reply
  6. lion20two

    love :)

    Reply
  7. brianatrev

    Love the manicures! Very great & classic colors!
    https://beyoutifulbrunette.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  8. miafshaw

    Reblogged this on miafshaw and commented:
    My favourite OPI Funny Bunny

    Reply
  9. diybyamy

    Absolutely love ballet slippers! It’s my go to for a nice baby pink. But I’ve been looking for a really nice black nail polish so i’ll definitely have to try this one!

    Reply
  10. Mk

    So elegant yet simple, love them

    Reply
  11. manchesterflickchick

    OPI’s bubble bath would really bring out a tan (I’m thinking ahead ha!) and looks so pretty. I was thinking the same about neon colours but then I saw a deep neon green by China Glaze and thought “Nah, sod it I’m so buying this!” i think it can make a statement if you are wearing black or grey.

    Reply
  12. stylingbyannieblog

    Love the colours! So gorgeous x
    http://stylingbyannieblog.wordpress.com

    Reply
  13. Erin E.

    I have a hard time justifying the work of a manicure for something as sheer as the Ballet Slippers color, but I ADORE the khaki and grey colors! I’m still all about the neon in summer though #noshame :)

    Reply
    1. Keira Lennox

      Here’s a secret on ballet slippers: use the Butter London nail foundation and it gives you a good streak-free base to layer on the color evenly. Also, you can’t really tell when it chips. 👍

      Reply
      1. Erin E.

        Right now I have the Essie base and it definitely makes a difference compared to using nothing at all, but I haven’t investigated the Butter London base yet. Thanks for the tip!

        Reply
  14. alexchickynicole

    Lincoln Park After Dark is WHERE IT’S AT! :-)

    Reply
  15. B. A.

    OPI Bubble Bath is perfect!!!

    Reply
  16. glamhipster

    I absolutely love neutrals :) feel free to drop by my blog http://www.glamhipsterdiaries.wordpress.com (fashion & poetry) x

    Reply
  17. annaethain

    I love all the OPI colours – such a good range :)

    Reply
  18. Asa

    I love the Orly Country Club Khaki color. So chic!

    Reply
  19. Sarah

    Neutrals are definitely easy to wear no matter the occasion!

    http://sartorialsarah.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  20. Mel

    All pretty colors!

    http://girlandthepolkadot.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  21. Just Call Me Bee

    These are awesome! Basically, for my job I have to wear a neutral color (or go without a mani). I’m going to have to track some of these shades down!

    Reply
  22. asallows

    Neutrals are the best. They go with everything, and are so classic!

    https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com

    Reply
  23. Rebekah Koontz

    This is awesome! I love neutrals now I can pick the perfect one! Thanks!

    http://www.rebekahkoontzsite.wordpress.com

    Reply
  24. Purificación Ramos

    Reblogged this on PURIFICACIÓN RAMOS and commented:
    Las perfectas uñas de Invierno.

    Reply
  25. Amy Fashion Blog

    loving the light pink

    Reply
  26. fitwomanforlife

    Love the neutrals!

    Reply
  27. Amelia and Emily

    Reblogged this on Red Lips and Heels and commented:
    So much LOVE for these choices! #ManiMonday

    Reply
    1. Keira Lennox

      Thanks for reblogging!

      Reply
  28. sarahandtheageof

    Which is the most long-lasting for you?

    Reply
    1. Keira Lennox

      I’ve found that any time I use the Butter London Nail Foundation (either alone or as a base coat) my manicures last the longest. I’m really rough on my nails in my job, but I can usually get a solid 7 days out of a manicure when I use it.

      Reply
      1. sarahandtheageof

        uao 7 days, it would be a miracle on me:) thank you I’ll check where to buy it in Rome or online

        Reply
  29. TheCosmeticTester

    love all of them…

    Reply
  30. rhiannon

    gorgeous shades!

    Reply
  31. joey and the owl

    Love the neutral colors because when they chip, you can’t tell!

    Reply
    1. Keira Lennox

      Gurl, yes.

      Reply
  32. View From Above and Below

    Such beautiful colours! I recently got a really beautiful pink as well – Its Essie Eternal Optimist – a lot like Ballet Slippers but darker! Can’t wait to try one of these colours though!

    viewfromaboveandbelow.wordpress.com

    Reply
    1. Keira Lennox

      That’s one of my favorites, too! I was *this* close to adding it to the list, but I couldn’t find an image on Pinterest that did the color justice. It’s a great neutral.

      Reply
  33. yourfairygodmother

    Ha, I owned ballet Slippers too. I used to be obsessed with that color. http://fairygodmotherbeautyblog.com/

    Reply
  34. Mojintouch by Mojisola Obazuaye

    Perfect! Look gorgeous. Cheers. Mojisola
    http://www.mojintouch.com

    Reply

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