Ombré nails are a fan-favorite manicure application all year long. The popular nail design, which can be interpreted as a Skittle ombré fade across all five nails or a shade-shift on each nail, is eye-catching and easy to DIY.
“Ombré nails are so great because you get to really experiment with color,” says celebrity manicurist and brand founder Deborah Lippmann.
Meet the expert
Of the two techniques, Skittle ombré manicures are the easiest to recreate. Simply select five polishes and outfit your nails one by one. If you have a bit more time on your hands, consider the sponged-on ombré approach. “Make sure you use a clean sponge when you work on your ombré technique because you don’t want to get residual paint from other manis, as it will ruin the look,” Lippmann points out. “And be careful trying to fix the ombré effect. As the nail polish dries, you might ruin the whole look if you keep passing the sponge over the fresh paint.”
Ready to rock a multicolor mani this autumn? Keep reading for 20 manicurist-recommended ombré nails for fall to inspire your next manicure.
Glazed Berry
Lippmann loves berry tones and chrome finishes. When the two trends come together, it makes for a rich autumn ombré nail look.
Neutral Autumn
Olive & June’s mani trend expert and vice president of content, Olivia Van Iderstine, loves a fall skittle ombré mani. “To get this look, you just want to pick your favorite fall shades at random and paint them,” she exclaims. “Don’t worry about undertones or anything, this is all about a fall feeling.” Here, you can see how well burgundy, cream, nude, and cocoa tones come together.
Subtle Jelly
“This look by [Nailing Hollywood artist] Priscila is rich and bold with a subtle ombré effect towards the tips of the nails due to the jelly finish on the polish,” says manicurist and Nailing Hollywood CEO Mazz Hanna. “The warm brown tones are so perfect for fall.”
Matte Purple
Searching for the perfect subtle Halloween nail look? Nail Saloon senior artist and educator Marnae Orton recommends a purple ombré effect. “Purple is a versatile color for any season, especially fall,” she says. “This vertical ombré gives the illusion of a shine even though it has a matte finish.”
Gold Glitter
For a mystical, magical, and fairly neutral ombré nail look, opt for gold glitter.
“The gold tones in Laura’s sparkle ombré mani make it a great choice for fall,” Hanna says. “It’s such a fun and festive option for Thanksgiving—it’s perfect for adding a little extra sparkle to your holiday look.”
Gold Chrome Sparkle
Metallics and chrome remain a must in the nail-art world. “This chrome ombré look by Laura is perfect for fall,” Hanna says. “The warm rose gold tones have just the right amount of glow to give off cozy autumn vibes.” FYI: You can create the little sparkle accents using a dotting tool, nail art brush, and white polish.
Desert Sunset
Creating fall skittle ombré nails is as simple as it gets, especially since you don’t have to overthink the palette. “Some shades we love to use are sagey greens, maroon, soft charcoal, dusty blue, and terracotta hues,” Van Iderstine says.
Aura
Aura nails continue to trend in 2024 and this witchy black, purple, pumpkin, and burgundy design is the perfect color combo for fall. “Aura nails still count as an ombré in our eyes,” Orton says. “This fall color palette proves aura nails aren’t just for summer.”
Garnet
You can also switch up the finish of your fall skittle ombré fade. Here, you can see how glossy, glittery, and pearlescent polishes collide in one seasonally stunning nail look.
Gold Chrome
Orton is also a fan of chrome ombré manicures. For a more subtle effect, she recommends pairing gold chrome powder over a sheer pink or nude base. “Metallic chrome is still reigning supreme in nail trends, so why not use it as an ombré,” she says. “Gold chrome ombré is the perfect vibe to kick off the holiday season.”
Green
For a fresh fall mani that pays homage to the towering trees and dewy grass, opt for shades of green. In general, it’s best to opt for shades with cooler undertones this time of year.
Matte Leopard
Leopard print and matte finishes are two of the most popular nail effects for fall. Here, Orton combines the two trends with an autumn ombré base, making this mani even more of a must. “We love warm fall colors in a vertical ombré, especially when paired with a fierce leopard print,” she says.
Jewel Tone
For a rich-looking fall Skittle nail look, go with deep jewel tones. Here, sapphire, emerald, garnet, and dark amethyst tones create quite the autumn vibe.
Midnight Navy
“This ombré design uses deep navy and rich indigo that reminds us of a twilight sky transitioning into night,” Orton says. “It’s a bold and sophisticated look for the transition of the winter season.” Or, it can be the perfect Halloween mani—especially is you add bats to the mix.
Starbucks
Is fall your favorite Starbucks season? Show your love of the brand—and the Skittle ombré nail trend—with a brown, green, and white ombré mani.
Terracotta
“This look by Priscila features warm terracotta tones that work beautifully in the fall,” Hanna says. “The black ombré trim adds a nice touch of depth without going overboard.” To get the look, start with a black or dark brown base, then dab terracotta polish onto the center of each nail. Finish with top coat.
Tonal
We love that this cool autumn Skittle mani features a high contrast pop of pink. Psst: See how clean this mani looks? You can recreate the same finish by touching up your edges with a nail art brush dipped in acetone, and by applying cuticle oil once your polish is dry.
Witchy
Feeling spooky? “This look by Laura adds a witchy twist to ombré nails,” Hanna says. “The deep blue tones give off a mystical vibe, especially paired with sparkles, which make this mani a great option for Halloween.”
Pastel Pumpkin
Prefer lighter nail looks? Think of your favorite fall hues, then find pastel polishes that look like the toned-down version of each.
Cloudy Skittle
Meanwhile, if you love the cool, gray mornings that so often pop up for fall, you can’t go wrong with a cloudy Skittle ombré mani. You’ll need white, blush pink, pale gray, light gray, and medium gray polish to recreate the look.
