Earth Tones Are the New Neutrals for Nails—Here Are 8 Colors to Try

For many years, neutrals have typically consisted of milky mauves, beiges, sheer whites, and blush tones. These are still beautiful colors, but lately people have begun gravitating more toward earth tones that still have a luxe aesthetic without feeling as predictable. Earth tones are exactly what they sound like—shades inspired by nature and the Earth such as terracotta, mushroom, and soft browns.

“The beauty of these shades is they mimic natural elements, so they tend to complement a wide range of skin tones,” says Erica De Los Santos, nail artist and founder of Nail'd It Beauty Lounge. “Whether you have fair, medium, deep, or olive skin, there’s an earth tone that enhances your nails without overpowering your look.”

She adds that because they’re more muted and grounded, they give that clean and elevated vibe. They’re not as harsh as a stark white or as bold as a neon, making them super wearable for everyday, professional settings, or even more trendy, editorial looks. Here are some gorgeous earth tone nail colors to try yourself.
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Soft Brown

An earthy replacement for traditional taupe, soft brown feels more “of the earth,” lending an organic softness that plays beautifully with natural textures and creamy neutrals. It reminds us of sun-baked clay, weathered tree bark, or hand-thrown pottery.

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Olive Green
Green may not intuitively feel like a neutral tone, but an olive-y hue pairs surprisingly well with almost everything while still giving that luxe vibe. “It’s neutral, and it pairs so well with gold accents,” notes Valentina Fernandes, manicurist and MiniLuxe nail designer.

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Terracotta
Think of terracotta as the earthier twist to mauve. It still has that powdery, dusty aesthetic, but is warmed up in the most beautiful way. “Terracotta is just that perfect warm, earthy tone,” Santos says. “It gives rich, cozy fall vibes but honestly looks good year-round.”

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Mushroom
Santos says another flattering earth tone you can gravitate toward is mushroom, which is a slightly cooler, grounded color that toes the line between gray and taupe. It might even have some low key brown or lavender undertones.

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Apricot
Another neutral earth tone nail polish option that Fernandes loves is apricot, a surprisingly warm and juice hue that still reads soft and sophisticated. This warm tone brings a splash of golden-y goodness to your fingertips, sort of like the soft radiance of golden hour.

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Alabaster
Not stark white and definitely not a true gray, alabaster is a creamy off-white neutral infused with a hint of warmth. It reminds us of perfectly polished stone or well-loved linen, and it delivers a clean and crisp effect without feeling sterile.

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Gray-Blue
This striking color takes inspiration from natural elements like river rocks, stormy skies, and morning mist weaving through the mountains. Santos says, “I love a gray-blue because it feels neutral but still has that cool, modern twist. It’s different without being too loud.”

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Sunstone
Craving a little bit of sparkle? Sunstone is the perfect neutral with a shimmery twist. This warm and peachy-meets-beige shade is laced with the most gorgeous subtle golden flecks that catch the light.