OPI Put it in Neutral Comparisons

OPI Put it in Neutral swatch

Last updated 2026-03-23. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

OPI Put it in Neutral is one of the most beloved nail polish colors among fans of OPI, myself included. It’s a sheer masterpiece. 

You can wear it in 2 or 3 coats for a soft sheer wash of mauve leaning pink with neutral undertones. Because it’s a mauve with warm brownish tones, it looks good on all skin tones. 

It’s one of the colors I reach for on the weekends when I need a palette cleansing manicure or when resting my nails for an upcoming week of swatches. 

Put it in Neutral is the perfect nail color for a subtle nail look.

As amazing as Put it in Neutral is, it’s often compared to a few other of OPI’s sheer classic shades, that also hold their weight in the nail beauty world - It’s a Girl! and Samoan Sand.

In this post, you’ll see comparisons of OPI Put it in Neutral with OPI It’s a Girl! and OPI Samoan Sand.

You can get all of these colors in a variety of formula types and wear them in 2-3 coats, depending on how much coverage you want.

We’ll start with swatches of OPI Put it in Neutral, then move into a comparison with OPI It’s a Girl!, followed by a comparison with OPI Samoan Sand.

Let’s begin -

OPI Put it in Neutral swatch
OPI Put it in Neutral swatch
OPI Put it in Neutral swatch

Shown in 2 coats, Put it in Neutral is a medium coverage sheer pink with mauve and neutral undertones.

Next up, It’s a Girl!

OPI It’s a Girl! swatch
OPI Put it in Neutral vs It’s a Girl!

Both shown in 2 coats, It’s a Girl is a medium coverage sheer pink that is very pink saturated. 

It differs from Put it in Neutral in that it has a more distinct pink finish and no neutral tones at all. It’s a rich and pure pink sheer.

Finally, Samoan Sand…

OPI Samoan Sand swatch
OPI Put it in Neutral vs Samoan Sand

Both shown in 2 coats, Samoan Sand is a medium coverage sheer nude with warm undertones. This is a great neutral for tan to beige skin tones. 

It differs from Put it in Neutral in that it has no pink or mauve tones; it’s entirely a light warm brown shade.

All in all, Put it in Neutral is a sheer polish with both pink and neutral tones, where It’s a Girl! is a definite pink sheer and Samoan Sand is a definite nude sheer.

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, Put it in Neutral is your color, but if you need more of a feminine look, go with It’s a Girl!

For more of a work-friendly neutral, Samoan Sand is your best bet.

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Author Bio: Amanda Meder

Amanda is the founder of Lots of Lacquer (est. 2021) and a nail expert with 25+ years of hands-on experience. She creates trusted tutorials, reviews, and guides, personally testing every product and technique she recommends. A blogger since 2012 and former educator, she’s known for clear, easy-to-follow instruction. She holds both a B.S. and M.S. in scientific fields, bringing a research-backed, reliable approach to nail care.

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