Beauty

12 Manicure Ideas That Prove Brown Is The Perfect Neutral

Featuring everything from mochas to toffees.

March 1, 2022

Brown nail ideas that prove the shade is the perfect neutral.

If you’re looking to switch things up from your typical nail polish color palette, brown happens to be a chic and versatile choice. Whether you opt for a chocolate, caramel, toffee, or cream tone, there are countless brown nail ideas that’ll upgrade your manicure game.

Neutral, earth tones, and muted manicures have been trending as of late — just look at the fingertips seen on the runway during New York Fashion Week. And, according to Chelsea King, Los Angeles-based nail artist and celebrity manicurist, brown hues count as an elevated yet subtle color choice. “I love brown polishes because they are a way to wear a neutral nail, but make it a bit more unique,” King tells Bustle. They also happen to be retro-chic: “Brown nails are also a fun nod to the ’70s, which is trending right now,” adds King.

Celebrity manicurist Kait Mosh says brown nail polish shades are also the perfect pick “for the monochromatic minimalist,” since they’re not too loud or distracting. If you never thought you could rock a brown mani, Mosh notes it’s all about matching the polish to your skin tone: She likes taupes for fair to medium skin tones with red undertones, while warmer skin with yellow undertones may want to opt for caramel colors. For dark skin and cooler undertones, King fancies deep, rich browns.

While you can wear brown polish with any nail shape, both artists say rounded tips and almond shaped-tips are still reigning supreme as a favorite among their clients. Still, French tips, coffin nails, and square sets could all certainly show off your mocha-colored mani.

Keep scrolling for super cute brown nail ideas to bring to your next salon appointment.

1Matte Taupe

For a muted take on the brown nail trend, consider a matte taupe set like this one. The square shape adds to the classic and clean appeal.

2Chocolate French Tips

You can’t go wrong with a French manicure, which can be worn in countless ways. One on-trend option? Chocolate-dipped fingertips with a sheer base. The espresso brown is the perfect contrast to the soft pink beds.

3Groovy Multicolored Brown

Similar to a French manicure, this retro-inspired design uses two different bold brown tones and separates them with an eye-catching super-fine white line.

4Geometric Shapes

King is responsible for this manicure design that features gradient graphic squares that are definitely giving hot chocolate with whipped cream vibes.

5Glossy Beige

This super long beige set proves that you don’t need a loud color to make a statement. Top a creamy beige polish with extra gloss for a gorgeous shine.

6Leopard Print

Take your brown-colored manicure into a bolder nail art realm with animal print details. The graphic lines in this set add a modern touch.

7Gold Accents

Add a touch of gold to a chocolate-covered almond manicure to give a simple design more texture. This one proves just two stripes of metallic polish can make a big (and swoon-worthy) impact.

8Power Clashing Textures

Who says your nails have to be painted in just one finish? This almond-shaped matte manicure with shiny brown tips is ultra-modern and perfect for every day.

9Toffee Lengths With White Trim

Outline a long, square set with sharp white lines on the edge of your fingertips for a graphic contrast to a cedar or toffee brown polish.

10M&M Manicure

Can’t choose one shade of brown? No worries: Incorporate them all into a manicure like this one where the shades gradate with each nail, going from cream to espresso. Consider it an M&M version of the ever-popular Skittles mani.

11Floral Decals

Welcome spring with a groovy ’70s-inspired manicure like this almond-shaped French set with tiny floral details and deep brown tips.

12Chocolate Checkerboard

While you can wear the super-trendy checkered manicure design with any color combo you’d like, this set shows that brown works as a gorgeous and retro-chic option.