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When dark nail colors start to seem heavy and somber, and you're not in the mood to flash a bright hue, switch to a sheer polish. Sometimes it's the perfect hint of color for your nails. So what are the prettiest sheer polishes that reveal just the right amount of nail -- without being too "nude"? Take a look at the expert opinions before shopping, and you're sure to find the polish that looks perfect on you.
A Perfect Baby Pink
Hands down, Essie's "Mademoiselle" shade has a clear fan base. The sheer pink polish won "Allure" magazine's "Best of Beauty" award in 2006 and 2007, and a "Reader's Choice" award in 2008 and 2009. Editors at "Allure" say it's a shade of pink that's not too girlie and is universally flattering for just about every skin tone. They also like the fact that it dries to a glossy finish. This polish also won "In Style" magazine's "Best Neutral Nail Polish" award from 2005 to 2007, 2009 and 2011. Editors describe it as the perfect elegant baby pink.
A Bubbly Pale Pink
Another contender for the best sheer nail polish is OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath. It's a sheer, pale muted pink. This polish won "Allure's Best of Beauty" award in 2009 and 2010 -- as well as a "Reader's Choice" award in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Editors say it looks equally flattering on porcelain and dark skin tones. Another plus -- it's a more eco-conscious choice, because it's formulated without controversial chemical ingredients, such as DBP, toluene and formaldehyde.
A Sheer Pewter
Sephora by OPI's Nail Colour in "Already Famous" is a sheer pewter shade, perfect for fall and the holiday season. Editors at "Essence" magazine chose to feature the color as one of its "11 Great Winter Polishes," and say the color is festive, yet sophisticated.
The Perfect Sand Shade
"Elle" magazine's editors say they've been searching for the perfect nude nail polish for over a year, and finally discovered RGB's "Beach." They describe it as a sheer, sandy nude and a perfect barely there shade. Editors at "New York Magazine" say RGB polish rocks because it doesn't contain the chemicals DBP, toluene and formaldehyde, yet it stays on as well as a polish that does.
