There is a chill in the air. Everything is pumpkin flavored. Your local Target unearths their latest crop of Thanksgiving decor. That’s right—it’s time for Autumn. And just as the leaves change their colors, your nails might be due for a change as well.
“You can never go wrong with the classics, like wine, burgundy, brown, etc,” says Rita de Alencar Pinto, founder of Vanity Projects, a luxury nail salon in New York City and Miami. California-based nail artist Pitrizz Gangcuangcoz adds: “I’m loving all shades of brown right now with pops of color—Especially blues and greens.”
Meet the expert
- Rita de Alencar Pinto is the founder of Vanity Projects, a luxury nail salon in New York City and Miami.
- Pitrizz Gangcuangcoz is a nail artist and content creator from California.
- Tara Haye is a nail artist based in New York City.
Check out InStyle’s favorite autumnal, dark nail designs below, before your next trip to the salon.
Matte Leaf Motif
A falling leaf motif is very fall appropriate. These eye-catching designs are perfect to accompany a cabin trip, and a chilly evening around a warm campfire.
Abstract Autumn
The best thing about art is that there are no rules. Nail art is no different and abstract designs are a great way to get in multiple fall colors and designs.
Going Against the Grain
This woodgrain-inspired design has a metallic, textured addition that is sure to turn heads. It’s giving upstate, it’s giving a weekend away at a cabin—it’s giving our dream nail set.
Velveteen Fall Dream
As far as textures go, velvet (AKA cat eye) is a true must for fall. These burnt orange nails bring sparkle and shine to the lexicon of gorgeous dark nail shades.
Photosynthesis Forever
Bring every fall color into play with this 3D design. Plus, if you look closely, the middle finger design is a leaf changing in front of your very eyes
14K Texture
Gold is always in style, but it pops even more from now until November. Using it for texture with some dark hues and you are good to go. And don’t forget the tortoiseshell accent nail.
Fall Sunburst
Mix and match your favorite fall colors with this airbrush design. “There’s been a major resurgence of airbrushing as a tool for blending,” says Pinto. “It’s a seamless way to blend, achieving that flawless gradient look. We love using it as a technique at our salon as it suits any color palette, but does especially lend itself beautifully to fall colors.”
Chic Cheetah
“Animal print has been a classic for years as a fall trend,” says nail artist Tara Hayes. But what if we thought outside the confines of what we thought our animal prints needed to be? This brown-orange-gold design serves up a modern cheetah print look on a dark, fall nail tip.
As Sweet as Cherry Pie
This dark cherry red is a perfect dark hue for fall. Use it on your accent nail for a design featuring its namesake fruit. Whether it’s 3D or 2D, this look is sweet all fall long.
Ghostly Glimmer
When playing around with dark fall shades, you can’t go wrong with a chic, shiny black. But just because it’s mono-tone., doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Add a little Halloween sparkle with these cute, French-tip ghosts.
All Squared Away
The original nail design we grew up doing—each nail a different color—is back and better than ever in the nail art arena. Use variations within the same color palette to make a statement. And doing so on a sharp square nail shape only adds to the elevated look.
Zebras French Tip
A truly iconic design from Hayes, this zebra print French tip is a fun and “wild” take on fall. While this design doesn’t need the bow in order for it to stand out from the herd, it definitely adds.
Tic Tac Toe
With brown matte polish, this design is perfect to be flaunted around town all fall long.
Optical Illulu Delulu
For anyone continuing their “delulu” era this fall and manifesting something spectacular, you should have spectacular nails to match. These dark blue ombrés are the perfect sultry look for a magical fall evening.
Scarlet Sparkle
If a darker maroon is your favorite fall hue, try this gorgeous sparkly shade for fall. Adding sparkle and a golden vibe design makes this the perfect design to ease into the holiday season.
Let’s Be (Lisa) Frank
For the girlies who always had the colorful, cheetah print binders at the start of every year—this look is for you. Keep it in season with a black base, and add pops of rainbow using animal print for the thumb, middle, and pinky fingers.
Cool, Chrome, and Colorful
We are obsessed with these jewel-toned chromatic nails. It’s like the stone from Uncut Gems on all ten fingers. The gold shine in the center seals the deal on this eye-catching look.
Royally Yours
These purple ombré nails end in a gorgeous jewel tone purple at the tip, perfect for autumn.
Espresso Martini
Espresso Martinis in fall? A must. These intricate espresso Martini nail designs? A need. Show off your favorite fall cocktail every day this fall with this brown and beige set.
