Somehow, some way, October is upon us, and with it comes a calendar packed with fall fun and a closet brimming with cozy layers we can’t wait to slip into. As much as we love the temperature and comfort of this quintessential fall month, we also love the color palette and overall aesthetic that it introduces. Think: earthy tones, spooky statements, and nostalgic accents galore. Luckily for us, all of these things translate incredibly well to nail art. With that in mind, we chatted with a few manicurist friends to discover what’s trending for October nails. Here are over two dozen manicures you’ll most definitely feel inspired to recreate this fall.
Meet the expert
Cherry Mocha Nails
We love a classic cherry red manicure but for fall, consider adding a bit more depth to the color. “Cherry mocha nails are back, and they’re more trendy than ever,” says Le Mini Macaron co-founder Christina Kao. “This rich Cassis hue is perfect for those who want to embrace the fall season with a touch of sophistication. To get the look, start with a deep cherry base, and finish with a glossy top coat for that extra shine.”
Brown French Tips
We love a classic white French but for fall, consider swapping out the crisp tips for something a bit moodier. “Brown French nails are the perfect option for those who prefer minimal nail art but still want a mani that perfectly captures the vibes of October,” says manicurist Mazz Hanna.
Gold Tortoiseshell Nails
You can’t go wrong with tortoiseshell nail art for fall. To make it look especially magical, though, nail artist Marnae Orton, suggests using a light-reflecting velvet or cat eye base. “I absolutely love how the cat eye effect adds a luminous glow beneath the tortoise shell design,” she says. “It creates a stunning, multidimensional finish that feels both chic and artistic.”
Autumn Foil Nails
Fall is a season that celebrates rich textures and colors. Put that vibe on your nails with a moody foil mani. “I love pitch-black nails and I also love glitter, so Halloween is one of my favorite times for nail looks,” says manicurist Miss Pop. “At NYFW, I sent the easiest combination of DIY nail art down the runway at Theophilio—dark and glammed-out tips. All you need to get this perfect-for-Halloween chrome look is the lacquer right out of the Zoya Nail Polish bottle! First I applied two coats of Zoya Nail Polish in pitch black Willa. Then, I added a single coat of either brat green Apple, yellow gold Kerry, or deep purple Mimi. Seal with topcoat and you’re ready for spooky season.”
Olive Chrome Nails
Love a solid coat of color? Cool-toned greens are especially popular this October. “From olive to sage, these shades are dominating the fashion scene, and now nails too,” Kao says. “For a fresh, on-trend look, opt for a matte or chrome finish or mix up the tones with some creative designs.”
Matte Tribal Nails
By now you know that rich earthy colors and matte finishes make for a truly spectacular fall manicure. This October, why not get a little creative by combining the two with an eye-catching tribal design? “These fall colors are an absolute VIBE—the perfect mix of warm whites, cozy browns, and pumpkin oranges,” Orton says. “They remind me of those dreamy autumn days: leaves are falling, chilly weather, and a cozy sweater! Basically, it’s fall magic in a bottle.”
Matte Foliage Nails
Matte nude nails look great for October and fall as a whole. To spruce up the simple nail look, consider adding some foliage to the mix.
Matte Berry Gradient Half Moon Nails
Berry tones are a must for fall 2024. This October, consider picking a few to incorporate into a rich half-moon skittle mani. “I adore a half-moon manicure, especially one featuring an ombre effect and color transitions,” Orton says. “This design captures the essence of fall and creates a stunning gradient that adds warmth to any look.”
Berry Diagonal Tips
Another way to wear berry tones? In a diagonal design. Here, a subtle touch of metallic champagne polish on the pointer finger makes for an even more autumnal end look.
Matte Green Nails
You’ve seen how pretty green chrome nails can look for October. Now, you get to witness the allure of a shine-free matte green mani. Lovely, no?
Minimalist Mauve Nails
Hoping for a minimalist everyday nail look? A mauve mani will fit your fancy. “I love using the fall season as an opportunity to get slightly darker in the neutral shades for manicures,” says celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann.
Plum Swirls
If you love neutral nail colors but want to embrace October’s rich jewel tones, Lippmann suggests layering a nude base with swirls of colors. “I absolutely love a manicure with a neutral base that allows you to have some fun with the added designs, like this one,” she says. “While this design may be a little harder to achieve at home without the proper items, I would recommend purchasing a thin brush that can be used for these added designs.”
Red Square Tips
You don’t have to forgo your favorite bright red in October. In fact, sticking to a vibrant cherry hue can play well for a fierce Halloween nail art idea. “You can never go wrong with a classic red manicure,” Lippmann assures us.
Fall Tone Matte Gradient Nails
Can’t land on a single neutral for your October nail look? Embrace them all with a skittle mani. “The rich fall colors combined with the matte finish in this mani by Morgan A. Dixon creates an earthy, grounded look that screams fall without being too bold,” Hanna says.
High-Contrast Matte Grid Nails
Neon pink for fall? With a matte top coat, it works! “We have definitely been seeing more of an increase in the popularity of matte nails,” Lippmann says. “This is mainly due to the overall look and texture. Additionally, for certain colors, a matte finish could even give the whole manicure a different look. You can choose some of the brightest colors with a matte finish that will slightly dim the overall manicure color, without affecting the shade itself and elevating the look in a chic-er way.”
Abstract Fall Nails
For gallery style at your tips, consider recreating this abstract fall manicure by Dixon. “The playful placement of geometric shapes and different fall-themed tones make this mani perfect for fall,” Hanna says.
Matte Green Plaid Nails
Plaid and fall go hand-in-hand. To make it even more autumn-coded, Hanna suggests adding a matte top coat, as Dixon did here.
Leopard Print Nails
Looking for a neutral nail look with a bit more pizazz? You can’t go wrong with leopard. “Leopard print is a timeless classic that adds a fierce touch to any look—it’s always in style,” Orton exclaims. If you want to really jazz it up, add gold cuticle accents to a statement nail—or every nail if you’re feeling fancy.
Matte Neutral Floral Nails
Floral nail art might make the most sense for spring and summer but it can be transformed for fall, too. “This is the perfect fall mani with three different shades of brown, along with the leaves and flower design—it screams fall,” Orton says.
Glazed Green Nails
Not quite chrome, we have glazed green nails. Perfect for October, these nails nod to pumpkin stems, Folklore season, and the much-anticipated Wicked movie, coming out in November.
Red Smokey Nails
As gorgeous as rich red polishes look on their own, they can look even more fitting for October with the inclusion of black smoky accents. “I’m obsessed with these October colors—blood-red with a touch of black gives perfect spooky season vibes,” Orton says.
Warm Toned Cat Eye Nails
Cat eye nail polish, a type of magnetic polish, makes for a seriously mystical manicure. This October, opt for a gold-shift cat eye polish to achieve a warm, mysterious nail look.
Gold Chrome Ombre Nails
For a magical October nail look, consider these gold chrome ombre nails. You can easily recreate the sparkles with a dotting tool and fine-lining nail art brush.
Witchy Vibes
Feeling witchy this October? This black and nude manicure by Nailing Hollywood artist Laura Malarkey is subtle yet statement-making with its French tips and celestial details. “If you want to DIY something similar to this, start with a neutral base and add black french tips to your thumb, pointer, and pinky fingers,” Hanna instructs. “Then, either hand-paint the nail art using black polish and a nail art brush or opt for Halloween-themed nail stickers for a similar vibe.”
Snake Nails
Another neutral yet bold October nail idea? This spooky snake manicure. “These snake nails by Laura are subtle enough for everyday wear, but have an edgy twist with the combination of negative space and snake-themed nail art,” Hanna says.
