Get ready for pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters and scarves, apple pies — and fall-inspired manicures. As the temperatures drop and all the fall things come back into rotation, we’re cycling out our light and bright nail colors and looking to autumnal hues and designs to adorn our fingertips. This year, there’s so much to love in the way of fall nail trends: It’s a mix of tried-and-true favorites sprinkled with modern twists. And many of these trends are ones you can recreate for yourself at home.
In this article: Essie Salon-Quality Nail Polish in Rich Brown, Ella+mila Gilded Nail Polish in Gilded and Chillhouse Chill Tips Limited Press-On Nail Kit in Gone Riding
If a moody color palette is more your speed, we’ve got good news. Fall nail colors are all about deeper, darker hues. This year, you’ll see people wearing a combination of classic fall tones that never go out of style, but you’ll also find fresh and innovative ways to embrace the autumnal season with your manicure.
There are a few tried-and-true fall nail trends that will never serve you wrong. Among them are candy apple reds, deep burgundy, all shades of brown, earthy tones and even a classic black. Any colors in this range will be a worthy investment since you can continue to wear them year after year.
If you want to dress up your fall manicure with a subtle yet impactful twist, try a metallic version of a fall hue. For instance, swap your brown for bronze and your burnt orange for copper. You can also layer sparkles on top of your manicure color. A dark burgundy nail base that’s topped with a gold sparkle is a perfect combo for autumn. It still conjures up all the classic fall vibes but it adds a modern stamp.
Think yellow nails are just for spring and summer? Think again. Mustard-colored nails, which evoke the spirit of the changing leaves, are trending for fall.
For those of us willing to go the extra mile for our manicures, there’s lots to love for autumn. A fun way to embrace the fall palette is by incorporating it into a French manicure. Think: a nude base with burgundy tips. Throw some chrome powder on top and you’ve got a fall manicure that’s anything but basic.
Gold manicures are trending for fall 2024, and there are so many ways to take this style to the max. Try adding gold rhinestones on top of your gold manicure. You can also create an ombre effect with a nude manicure that transitions to gold.
Aura nails — which involve using eyeshadow powder to create a hazy gradient effect that radiates from the center of the nails — have been popular as of late, and they’re still going strong for fall 2024. You can try this style with greens, oranges and browns to give it a fall twist.
Animal-print nails are great for fall because they evoke many colors from the autumnal palette. Try a tortoise-shell nail design, leopard-print nails or a snakeskin-inspired design.
If you’re loyal to your nail shape that works for you, that’s great and feel free to skip this section. For those who like to experiment with trendy nail shapes, read on for the top filing patterns for fall 2024.
They’re baaaack! Yes, we’re seeing the '90s-inspired nail shape make a comeback. They can be styled short or long, depending on your preference.
The tapered square look that’s narrower on the free edge than the nail base practically begs for fall with its name, which is a nod to the spooky season.
Mimicking a natural nail shape with a slight narrowing at the tip, oval-shaped nails are the perfect way to embrace the demure beauty trend that’s all over TikTok. You can add a bit of length, but don’t go ultra-long to keep the style mindful and cutesy.
Essie Salon-Quality Nail Polish in Rich Brown
Alexa, play "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter. Last fall, lighter latte-colored nails were big but this year, you’ll want to try a darker blend inspired by the popular song.
OPI Nail Lacquer Big Apple Red
This punchy red hue can be donned for falls to come (and any season, for that matter). The chip-resistant, quick-dry formula will keep your candy apple-inspired mani looking better for longer.
Ella+mila Gilded Nail Polish in Gilded
You can’t go wrong with this metallic gold hue for fall. Even better: The nontoxic and vegan nail polish is formulated without harmful chemicals and parabens.
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Golden-I
This sparkling gold adds a touch of bling to your fall look. The streak-free color is waterproof and fade-resistant, so you get more out of a single manicure.
Essie Gel Couture 2-Step Longwear Nail Polish in Sun-Day Style
This bronzey metallic hue is built to last: It’s part of Essie’s Gel Couture polish line, which is longer lasting than traditional nail polish formulas.
LONDONTOWN Warm Tones Nail Polish in Lady Luck
A deep, moody burgundy hue is always a solid bet. This high-pigment lacquer is formulated with moisturizing and strengthening botanicals for long-lasting color.
Essie expressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish in Don’t Hate, Curate
Though it may seem intimidating at first, a mustard-colored nail polish is surprisingly elegant. This quick-dry formula allows you to spend less time waiting for your fingertips to dry and more time enjoying your fabulous manicure.
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Jealous Boyfriend
This dark green conjures up thoughts of a witch’s brew, making it an excellent choice for a Halloween manicure.
Beetles Gel Nail Polish with Blooming Gel Amber Attraction
If you feel confident enough in your manicure skills to attempt a tortoise-shell design, this is the gel polish kit for you. It includes five hues perfect for creating the perfect-for-fall design — just make sure you have a gel lamp to cure it.
Saviland Chrome Nail Powder Set in B-Gold
While glazed donut chrome nails are more apt for summer, you may want to switch to a metallic chrome palette for fall. This six-piece set lets you try a number of glimmering tones including gold, rose gold and bronze.
The details on these press-ons are subtle yet stunning: The almond-shaped nails have a matte finish, except for the French tips, which are glossy for contrast. The set comes with 30 nails in a variety of sizes to help you get the perfect fit on each finger.
Chillhouse Chill Tips Limited Press-On Nail Kit in Gone Riding
If you don’t quite trust your hand to create a polished nail design, press-ons can help. These almond-shaped tips incorporate fall colors and are applied with non-damaging nail glue.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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