A beauty writer's 26 favourite neutral nail looks | HELLO! (2025)

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Glazed French Tip

Glazed French tips offer a modern twist on the classic manicure by combining the timeless elegance of French tips with a glossy, pearl-like finish. This trend uses a sheer, milky base paired with ultra-shiny, glazed tips that catch the light effortlessly. Perfect for adding a subtle glow to your nails, glazed French tips exude sophistication and freshness.

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Nude Cat Eye

The nude cat eye manicure is a fresh take on neutral nails, blending soft nude shades with a subtle, shimmering cat eye effect. This understated yet eye-catching look uses magnetic polish to create a reflective streak that mimics a feline-inspired gleam. Perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to minimalistic manicures, it’s the go-to trend for 2025.

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Lip Gloss Nails

Sheer and sheeny, the lip gloss nails trend has a mesmerising, dewy appeal.

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Ice Cream Manicure

The ice cream manicure mimics the soft scoop of delicious ice cream. It's an ultra-glossy manicure with a sheer pink base and sometimes an ombré creamy white french tip finish. This trend leans into subtlety and elegance, it's extremely versatile as it suitable for everyday wear or a high-fashion event.

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Minimalist Waves

If you're after something a little more interesting than a classic block hue, consider a soft, white line art overlay.

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Pink-On-Pink French Tips

This style is Kylie Jenner ad Khloe Kardashian-approved. This soft, dreamy twist on the french twist is so subtle yet chic for the minimalist girls. If you're looking for a slight dash of colour consider this pink-on-pink french tip design.

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Minuscule Pearls

Elevate glossy pale pink with tiny, precious accents à la manicurist Mateja Novakovic who used Nail Inc's 3D pearls to create this look.

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Skinny French

A renewed take on a classic, slender French tips look immeasurably chic, especially on a short, squoval nail.

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Balletic Square

For an eternally versatile nail design, opt for a ballet slipper shade with a soft, square finish. This look can be adapted in line with your natural skin tone - perfect for minimising the appearance of regrowth in between salon trips.

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Milky Square

For a soft, creamy appeal, lean into the milk bath nail trend with a semi-sheer neutral.

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Toffee Glaze

Delicious, moreish and infused with a warm undertone, these toffee-hued nails would look beautiful with a bronzy glow.

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Pearly Chrome

Imbued with a luxe, mesmerising pearlescence, this long almond design is giving coquette, without all the bells and whistles.

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Pastel Double Cuff

Springy and joyful, this double cuff pastel look gives a neutral base a subtle colour injection.

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Soft Line Art

A clean, thin line swept over a coconut-hued base shade feels subtle, and distinctly wearable.

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Barely There

Blink, and you'll miss it, is the vibe for these super natural-looking nails, created using a sheer base and milky white to brighten the tips.

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Round Baby Pink

It's difficult to go wrong with a flattering, pale pink and short lengths if you're after a nail look that will suit all manner of outfit colourways.

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Almond Milk

Dairy alternatives are getting a lot of flak at the moment, but almond milk is officially the one to beat. Sheer, soft and categorically luxe-looking, we're into it.

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Hydro Infusion

3D nail art is gaining momentum at the moment following the striking, ornamental Met Gala manicures, but if you're wanting to dip your toe, try this mesmerising, slightly surrealist, water droplet design.

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Midas Touch

Flecks of gold combined with flowy white linework is a stellar choice if you're wanting a look that feels pretty, yet still relatively muted.

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Cocoa Nails

Exuding cosy depth, an earthy brown can look very chic, especially with a high-shine top coat.

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Vanilla Chrome

If you're in the mood for a neutral with a more yellowy rather than pink undertone, creamy vanilla works a treat for some gentle contrast against the natural nail. For added drama, opt for chrome powder over the top.

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Blush Nails

Obsessed with the pretty, healthy flush of cream blush in your makeup? Hailing from Korea, this glowy pink look, a muted offshoot of the aura nails trend, will hit the spot.

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Hot Chocolate Nails

Rich and infinitely tempting, the hot chocolate nails trend looks beautiful with a square shape. Not sure on exactly which shade to go for? Pure Malteser vibes.

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Gradient Neutrals

Featuring a gentle colour progression, this design is ideal if you want a look that feels simple, yet still interesting.

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Strawberry Milk Nails

Super similar to the OG milk bath nails look, a pretty alternative is a shade with a hint of pink running through it.

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Clean Girl Nails

If you love the feel of a manicure but don't want your nails to look overly done, consider soft, semi-sheer beige and a short, square shape.