9 Best Brown Nail Polishes
Paint your nails with the classic chocolaty shades and gain the most compliments.
Dao Huyen NhuNail Artist 
Dao Huyen Nhu is a highly skilled nail artist with 8 years of experience in the beauty industry. Her enthusiasm for self-expression through nail art led her to specialize in hand-painted nail art. Her work is a testament to her artistry, wi... more
baishali bhattacharyaMA (English) Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
srijani roy chowdhuryMA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
krati darakMBA, Certified Skin Care Coach Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Brown nail polish gives you a calm and classic look that combines very well with other nude or earthy tones. Whether you are going to work or hanging out with friends, you can flaunt brown subtly. The best brown nail polish goes well with all skin tones and matches all the outfits. You can wear the brown color on perfectly manicured hands day and night. This color also matches all seasons. If earthy is your style, make brown your staple color.
There are a ton of brown nail polishes in the market made by different brands. So, in this listicle, we bring you the 9 best shades that look good on everyone. Scroll down and pick all the amazing shades for yourself!
In This Article
Top 9 Brown Nail Polishes
1. Best Overall: OPI Nail Lacquer– That’s What Friends Are Thor
Whether you fancy candy browns, cappuccino tints, cinnamon browns, earthy shades, or rich espresso nail colors, OPI brown nail polishes cover the shades for all your brown desires. The OPI Nail Lacquer’sThat’s What Friends Are Thor is especially beautiful. It provides up to seven days of wear – which is pretty awesome for a nail polish. The expertly crafted, scratch-resistant nail lacquer creates a high-quality nail color and is a great choice if you update your manicure every week. That’s What Friends Are Thor is a rich, natural brown suitable for most undertones. Its crème finish looks super classy and provides great gel-like shine.
Pros
- Nice, neutral everyday color
- Suitable for workplace
- Two coats are enough
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Issues with consistency
Pro Tip2. Best Vegan Formula: essieexpressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish – 090 Take The Espresso
This fast-drying nail polish from essieexpressie dries within a minute – perfect for the impatient divas out there. You can easily apply and dry them in one go. It does not need a topcoat. Take The Espresso is a beautiful color for those who have a warm skin tone and a special place for coffee browns in their amazing nail polish collection. This nail polish has an angled brush that makes self-application with both hands super easy, even if it is with your non-dominant hand. When you need to switch, all you need to do is flip the brush and angle it down.
essieexpressie has over forty beautiful nail polish colors. The best part is the nail polish is vegan and has no animal-derived ingredients. This celebrity-favorite brand offers a multitude of nail polishes from deep brown, toned brown, cinnamon, and chocolate brown that are loved and used by salon professionals, beauty gurus, and fashion icons. Watch this YouTuber’s honest review to get a better idea about the salon-quality product and its features through the reviewer’s experience of using it.
Pros
- Dries within a minute
- Intense pigmentation
- Comes with an angled brush
- Vegan
Cons
- Finish not shiny
Pro Tip3. Best Long-Lasting Formula: NYK1 Nailac Gel Polish Colour–Chocolatte
The Chocolatte shade from NYK1 Nailac is a beautiful color. It is a long-lasting nail polish that stays on for over two weeks. It is not going to chip, fade, break, or smudge. While other gel nail polishes degrade quickly and leave your nails looking brittle and yellow, this nail polish has a NYK1 ZeroChip Nail Gel Technology. It ensures your nails retain that salon-fresh look no matter how carelessly you treat your fingernails. This nail polish from NYK1 is the perfect shade for darker skin tones and cures with both LED nail and UV nail dryer lamps. This nail polish delivers a smooth, mirror-like surface. You can use it on your natural nails, nail tips, and false nails. Due to its watery consistency, you may need to apply up to three layers to achieve a bold-looking brown color.
Pros
- Even application
- Smooth finish
- Very pigmented
- Vibrant
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Watery consistency
OPI Nail Lacquer– That's What Friends Are Thor Best Overall | essieexpressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish – 090 Take The Espresso Best Vegan Formula | NYK1 Nailac Gel Polish Colour–Chocolatte Best Long-Lasting Formula | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | That’s What Friends Are Thor | 19 take the espresso | NYK1 Gel Base Coat (UV and LED Compatible) |
| Dimensions | 1.35 x 1.35 x 3.25 inches | 11.83 x 10.06 x 4.19 inches | - |
| Weight | 0.5 Ounces | 1.9 Ounces. | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 4,384 | 4,018 | 1,610 |
| Price | $11.49 | $10.0 | $15.95 |
4. Best In Budget:Eternal 4 Collection –Dark Nudes
The days are gone when nude nail polish referred to just one color. Now browns are the new nudes. This beautiful set of four statement-making brown nail polish shades will make your hands look more elegant and sophisticated. If you are the hippie kind, you can even paint each one a different brown from this set. These brighten and glamorize your nails while adding a beautiful, flattering tone. These neutral, pretty colors will match most outfits and skin undertones, including those with a warm skin tone. They are highly pigmented and offer great opaque coverage. The high-gloss finish is to die for. These nail polishes, which are from the Eternal Cosmetics Collections, are super quick-dry and will be dry in record time. You can apply them on acrylic, natural, or gel nails. These nail polishes are vegan and toxin-free. They are free from MEHQ / HQ, MIT, toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, xylene, parabens, animal-derived ingredients formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, and gluten.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- No formaldehyde
- DBP-free
- No camphor
- No toxins
- Dries quickly
- Great value for money
- Super glossy
Cons
- Some may find the colors dull
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 4,847 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
5. Best Pregnancy-Safe Formula:ZOYA Nail Polish –Kateri
Kateri from Zoya can be best described as a “midnight brown cream” color. It is the new version of black nails! This beautiful color has won the hearts of many as it’s suitable for almost all skin undertones. It is bold enough to make a statement on its own – that you do not need anything flashy to stand out. It is also toxin-free. It is long-lasting and has a great finish. It is free of formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin, dibutyl, toluene, camphor, TPHP, parabens, xylene and etyl, tosylamide, and lead. You can use them even when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. the nail color is a vegan formula. This video will give you a better insight into the product through a tester’s experience of using it.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Paraben-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- No camphor
- Resin-free
- No toluene
- Lead-free
- Vegan
- Suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women
Cons
- Off-putting smell
- Sticky consistency
6. Best Quick-Drying:wet n wild Fast Dry AF Nail Polish
The wet n wild Fast Dry AF Nail Polish in the shade Get Stoned offers a buildable and high-performance formula for stunning nail color. This fast-drying polish sets in approximately 40 seconds, allowing you to achieve beautiful nails in no time. The glossy color lasts for at least five days without any damage or chipping. This highly pigmented long-wear formula is easy to apply and free of chemicals. It provides a rich color even in a single coat and suits almost all undertones and warm skin tones. The formula has a built-in base coat and high-shine pigments.
Pros
- Fade-proof
- Durable
- Buildable color
- Adds shine
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Camphor-free
- Paraben-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Toluene-free
Cons
- Runny consistency
7. Best Guilt-Free:Sally Hansen – Raw Cocoa
This beautiful color from Sally Hansen is a guilt-free indulgence option. It is a 100% vegan, natural, plant-based polish. It is toxin-free, and a great option for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. It is free of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, xylene, acetone, phthalates, camphor, parabens, ethyl tosylamide, andtriphenyl phosphate. Raw Cocoa comes with a 100% natural, plant-based brush that makes the application process a breeze. It promises to last for four days without the need for touch-ups and its formula has amassed multiple glowing reviews online due to the gorgeous chocolate nails look.
Pros
- Dries quickly
- Vegan
- No formaldehyde
- No camphor
- No acetone
- No toluene
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Plant-based applicator brush
Cons
- Topcoat needed to prevent chipping
- Strong odor
8. Best Quick-Drying Formula:Revlon Nail Enamel – Totally Toffee
Totally Toffee from Revlon is a ravishing color that promises timeless beauty for your nails. It is a chip-defiant formula and the chocolate brown color suits most undertones and darker skin tones. Its anti-fade technology makes the color stay vibrant for longer. The application is smooth, and the result is bubble-free nails with minimal streaking. This color is on the warmer side of brown and looks gorgeous on almond-shaped nails. This product is free from formaldehyde, toluene, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor. If you use it along with Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat, you will be better protected against breaks, chips, and yellowing of nails.
Pros
- Prevents nail breakage
- Easy to apply
- Quick-drying
- Chip-resistant
- Wear-resistant
- Anti-fade technology
- No formaldehyde
- No camphor
- No toluene
Cons
- Can be streaky sometimes
9. Best Gel Formula:Londontown Lakur Nail Polish
The Mudslide shade from Londontown Lakur Nail Polish has a gel formula. It dries quickly within 10 to 15 seconds and can be locked in with a top coat. The liquid has a nice, smooth flow, and comes with a wide brush applicator, which enables a streak-free, easy application. It is the perfect gift for your girlfriends who are nail artists or are interested in makeup artistry, and it suits most warm skin tones.
Pros
- Low odor
- 16+ free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May chip fast
No matter how many bangles, rings, or bracelets you have on your hands, the look of your hand will never be complete without decent nail polish. Especially brown nail polishes suit all skin tones and offer your hands a gorgeous, earthy look. However, choosing the perfect brown nail polish is never easy when the market offers so many options. So, we are curating a buying guide to explain all the essential factors to consider before purchasing brown nail polishes.
Important Factors To Consider Before Buying The Best Brown Nail Polishes
- Ingredients: Check the ingredients of the brown nail polishes to avoid the risk of any irritation and allergy to the skin. The good, cosmetologist-approved ingredients in nail paints are resin, nitrocellulose, polymer, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, propyl acetate, and isopropyl acetate. They offer good adhesive potency to nail paints, making them last. Avoid nail polishes with toxic ingredients such as paraben, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, and lead to prevent skin allergies. These toxins may also turn your nail brittle.
- Odor: This is a vital aspect you must always consider. Make sure the polish you are about to purchase is either odorless or has a mild fragrance. Strong nail polish odors indicate the presence of synthetic toxins. They cause nausea and even bother the people around you.
- Drying Time: Choose nail polishes that dry quickly. Cellulose nitrate in the nail polishes helps the liquid to dry out faster. So, check if your polish has the ingredient or not.
- Texture And Finish: Brown polishes can have glossy, shimmery, or matte finishes. Opt for a glossy shade for dressy occasions like weddings ceremonies or parties, and pick matte polish for dates and formal or semi-formal events. Choose a texture that compliments the outfit you are wearing.
- Lasting Power: The durability of nail polish is encouraged by a sufficient amount of polymers and UV filters. The UV filter in the tinted lacquer shields your nails from UV rays and prevents the color from fading and yellowing. So, invest in such a brown nail polish
Infographic: 3 Unique Ways To Use Your Brown Nail Paint
Brown is a classic nail polish shade that must be a part of every woman’s vanity. It looks elegant and works with almost all outfits. However, if you are bored with simple brown nail paint, try experimenting, and you will fall in love with the color all over again. Check out the infographic below for unique ways to use brown nail polish for nail art.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
A perfectly manicured hand gains much attention as it looks clean, elegant, and attractive. But if you are looking for a nail polish that suits all your outfits, the best brown nail polishes are your best bet. This is because the hues of brown go well with all skin tones, including darker skin tones. But it would be great to invest in brown nail polishes that are extremely pigmented and last long. The OPI Nail Lacquer– That’s What Friends Are Thor is perfect for a highly-pigmented, long lasting look, while the essieexpressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish – 090 Take The Espresso has a quick-drying formula and is ideal for someone who is always on the go. For a safe and toxin-free nail polish, go for the ZOYA Nail Polish – Kateri. The products mentioned in our list are non-toxic and allow smooth application. However, steer clear of the nail polishes that are not chip-resistant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does brown nail polish mean?
Brown nail polish symbolizes boldness. People wearing brown nail polishes radiate energetic and earthy vibes.
Does brown nail polish look good on every skin?
Yes. Various shades of brown look good on different skin tones.
Does brown nail polish go with everything?
Yes. Different shades of brown look good on different color outfits. Brown goes best with gold accessories. Brown nails appear attractive on both casual and professional wear.
Is brown nail polish classy?
Yes. Brown nail polish is an elegant color that remains timeless and classic.
Are brown nails in style?
Yes, brown nails are currently in style. Celebrities like Nina Dobrev, Kylie Jenner, and Lizzo are seen flaunting their brown nails on red carpets and other fashion events.
What mix of colors makes brown?
Mix red and green paints in equal amounts to get the brown shade. Or, mix the yellow shade with purple to get the basic brown color.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya, a certified makeup and image consultant, is passionate about reviewing makeup and fashion-related products. She understands the users’ requirements and recommends the best makeup products in the market. Baishali has compiled this list of gorgeous shades of brown nail polishes suitable for all occasions. She has also mentioned the pros and cons of each product to help you choose the right one.
