Rihanna can pull off pretty much anything. From nailing an array of hair colours and lengths, to her innate ability to add a cool, DGAF signature to an outfit that would make anyone else look twee (the pink Giambattista Valli at last year’s Grammy’s, anyone?) or trashy (that fire Adam Selman ‘naked dress’ at the 2014 CFDA Awards) or like Big Bird (think: the Guo Pei at last year’s Met gala)

Another thing the singer can effortlessly Work? Nude nail polish. From cool beige and creamy peach to almost-mauve and baby pinks – the singer’s skin tone knows no bounds when it comes to neutral nail hues.

TrioTile
Credit: Getty Images
While RiRi makes it look easy, for most of us it’s not a matter of one nude nail fits all. “If you’ve ever wondered why the nude shade that suits your olive skinned girlfriend doesn’t suit you it is very simple, there’s no rocket science behind it she simply has a different skin tone to you,” says CND Education Ambassador, Skye McIntyre. “To determine client’s skin tone, I look at the underside of their wrist. If the veins appear blue you have cool undertones. If the veins appear green you have warm undertones. If the veins are difficult to tell if they are blue or green you are typically neutral.”

For a clean, sleek look, McIntyre recommends going a shade of two lighter than your skin tone and as for top coats? “Don’t get confused by the matte trend, nude nails always look best with a high shine finish.”

Pale skin with cool undertones
Sheer baby pinks won’t look too yellow against your fair skin
1NailPale
Essie Nail Color in Ballet Slippers, $16.95. SHOP NOW
CND, VINYLUX Nail Polish in Romantique, $16.95. SHOP NOW
L’OREAL PARIS Colour Riche Le Vernis in Opera Ballerina, $7.95. SHOP NOW

Pale skin with warm undertones
If you’re fair but warm, opt for a pinkie beiges
2Palewarm
Maybelline NY, Color Show The Blushed Nudes Nail Colour in Make Me Blush, $5.95. SHOP NOW
Chanel, Le Vernis in Organdi, $41. SHOP NOW
SINFULCOLORS Kylie Jenner Collection Nail Polish in KOMMANDO, $3.50. SHOP NOW 

Medium skin tones
An easy tone to work with, go for creamy beiges
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OPI, Lacquer in Samoan Sand, $19.95. SHOP NOW
YSL, La Lacque Couture in Beige Leger, $42. SHOP NOW
CND, VINYLUX NAIL POLISH IN POWDER MY NOSE, $19.95. SHOP NOW

Olive skin tones
Peach nudes will pop off olive skin tones, or for a statement-making neutral go for something slightly gold
4Mediumpeach
Dior, Vernis in Muget, $41. SHOP NOW
OPI, Nail Lacquer in Chillin Like a Villain, $19.95. SHOP NOW
The Nail Lab, Nail Polish in Nigella, $15. SHOP NOW

Caramel skin tones
Lucky you, your skin can handle a variety can nudes such from dusty pinks to pink latte tones
5caramelskin
Nails Inc. Nail Lacquer in Holland Park, $9.97. SHOP NOW
CND, VINYLUX POLISH in SVELTE SUEDE, $19.95. SHOP NOW
Tom Ford, Nail Lacquer in Mik Brule, $52. SHOP NOW

Dark skin tones
Winner winner, your skin can pull off pretty much every neutral shade from deep mauves to rich chocolates
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REVLON, ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel in 2 of a kind, $16.95. SHOP NOW
OPI, Nail Lacquer in Squeaker of the house, $19.95. SHOP NOW
CND, VINYLUX FLORA & FAUNA COLLECTION in FIELD FOX, $19.95. SHOP NOW