Nowadays, people everywhere are rushing from one task to the next, one event to the next, one holiday to the next. It’s a never-ending cycle of go, go, go, and in the hustle and bustle of fall, November often gets lost in the mix—a transitional month where each day is regarded as a tally toward December. But when days aren’t promised though, why overlook any?
In an effort to be more present this November, you might consider taking up a gratitude journaling or, you know, as a beauty lover, you might consider leaning into the month’s aesthetic with your makeup or manicure. Today, we’re here to discuss the latter. We chatted with five nail experts to uncover their favorite November nails. Whether you prefer a neutral vibe or bold pop of color, ahead, explore over a dozen November nail ideas to switch up your go-to manicure.
Olive and Gold Croc Nails
Olive green and shimmering shades of gold are common for fall. Rather than wearing them solidly or with an accent nail, Marnae Orton, a senior artist and educator at nailsaloon in Washington, DC, recommends recreating this trendy croc design. “This nail art features a striking combination of gold and army green, creating a chic and bold look,” she says. “The army green base exudes an earthy, sophisticated vibe, while the shimmering gold accents add a touch of luxury and glam.”
Dual-Finish Berry Skittle Nails
Nailing Hollywood artist Tara Haye says that matte nails are arguably one of the most popular November nail trends. “Matte nails are simple but bold at the same time,” she says. “Colors like burgundy, chocolate brown, and hunter green look great with a matte finish.” Of course, you don’t have to pick a single color—you can incorporate matte accents into a seasonal skittle shift for an even more eye-catching end look. Just look at this dual-finish croc print Orton created. “Tonal crocodile print is a stunning fall nail art trend—it perfectly blends texture and sophistication, while the range of warm, deep colors makes it ideal for the season,” she says.
Red Ember Chrome Tips
Chrome manicures are especially trendy for 2024. As popular as crisp silver tips are, for November, consider going darker and warmer in nature. Take the ember-inspired chrome tips above, for example. Gorgeous, no?
Classic Tort Shorties
Tortoiseshell nails for November? They might not be groundbreaking but they are a worthwhile choice. “Tortie nails are so fun to DIY since they are more of an abstract pattern,” says manicurist and Nailing Hollywood CEO Mazz Hanna. “Gelcare has a great tortoiseshell kit ($48) that includes every color you need to DIY tortie nails at home.”
Burgundy and Gold Shimmer Nails
Don’t these burgundy and gold nails look luxurious? You can DIY a similar look using two coats of burgundy polish as the base, then overlaying it with ultra-fine gold shimmer and a glossy top coat.
Cheetah Print Nails
Love a neutral color palette but prefer bolder nails? Cheetah print is the way to go. “I love that Morgan used a bit of negative space towards the base of the nail in this cheetah print design which makes it perfectly balanced,” Hanna says. “The warm colors and natural pattern make this mani ideal for November.”
Dark Brown Chrome Nails
Still a big fan of chrome nails? This November, deck out a dark brown base with silver chrome powder for a glazed chocolate effect.
Warm Autumn Tort Shorts
Here’s further proof that tortoiseshell nails can be crafted in so many different colors and designs. This one takes a warmer approach with a sheer jelly finish. “We never met an animal print we didn’t like, and this warm, caramelly tortoise shell look screams fall,” says Olivia Van Iderstine, Olive & June’s mani trend expert and vice president of content. “It’s a cinch to DIY—you get the look by layering different strokes of paint to give the classic tortoise depth.”
Terracotta and Sage Tips
Lean into November’s cozy, earthy side with shades of terracotta and sage. “The mix of sage and terracotta in Rachel’s mani perfectly captures the changing leaves of fall,” Hanna says. “I love how the sage brings a pop of unexpected color that sets it apart from the usual autumn shades.”
Abstract Jumbo Jelly Tort Nails
As much as we love classic tortoiseshell, we understand that the neutral design can feel a bit overdone, especially in the fall. To switch things up while still embracing the palette, consider a jelly finish and a larger design. “Abstract tortoise shell nail art is a mesmerizing design that blends natural and artistic elements,” Orton says, backing the reimagined take on the trend.
Moody Purple Marble
Water marble nails are often associated with bold summer manicures but Van Iderstine says they can be tailored for November by swapping autumnal tones, like berry and plum, into place. “Our favorite nail art looks are the ones that look like they took all day and/or cost $100—but are really simple to DIY,” she exclaims, noting that this moody marble design is much easier to recreate than you might think. “The trick to achieving this look is to work quickly on one nail at a time. Layer blobs of moody colors together, then swirl them together with a dotting tool.”
Easy Animal Print
Not patient enough to DIY detailed cheetah print nails? Make it easy on yourself with this easy animal print design. Start with a chestnut base, then use a dotting tool to apply little abstract black dots all over.
Fall Florals
Floral nail art might be most common in spring and summer but Van Iderstine says it works for fall, too, so long as you swap in the right colors. “The key to this look is the small scale of the flowers, to keep it feeling more fall, and choosing some moody shades for your blooms,” she explains. (Psst: You can easily DIY these teeny flowers using a dotting tool.)
Flavors of Fall
Obsessed with your autumn Starbucks order? Showcase your love of the bev on your nails with an espresso-inspired manicure. “Look no further than your morning cup of coffee for nail art inspo,” Van Iderstine says. “Use the silicone stamper side of Penny ($14) and swirl together some fall flavors you might find in a latte: bold espresso brown, sweet cream, or pumpkin spice. Dot the creation straight onto your nails, cleaning up any messy edges.”
Dark Velvet Tort Tips
Say hello to the most mesmerizing tort nails we’ve ever laid eyes on. Jet black polish pairs with amber velvet lacquer for a dimensional end look we can’t stop staring at.
Matte Navy Maple Leaf Nails
Navy blue is one of the season’s hottest nail colors and you can’t be a matte finish in fall. Suffice to say, this vibrant, dual-finish maple leaf design is an especially pretty pick for November. “I love the matte finish of this navy blue base—it adds a lot of depth and really makes the color of the leaves pop,” Hanna says.
Milk Chocolate Stiletto Tips
Skip the plain white French tips in favor of more autumnal chocolate brown ones. Then, to make the mani even more coded for 2024, add a few metallic silver cyber designs to the mix. “The silver accents paired with the pointed almond shape add just the right touch of edginess,” Hanna says.
Mulberry Plaid
Van Iderstine and Haye agree that plaid nails are a must for November. “Is there a pattern that feels more fall than plaid? We don’t think so,” Van Iderstine says. “Detailed nail art like plaid nails help some feel warm and cozy,” Haye adds. “It’s possible to feel the comfort of a flannel shirt on your nails.”
When creating plaid nails for November, Haye says to embrace the colors of the season. ”Earthy tones like brown, green, and tan bring out the special touch to a plaid nail look,” she says. And according to Van Iderstine, once you have your colors picked out, creating the design is fairly simple. “Layer alternating stripes of color to create this classic print,” she instructs. “If you’re not ready for an all-out plaid, create a mixed mani with some plaid accent nails, keeping your other nails more low-key with a French tip or tiny dots.”
Neutral Mauve Foliage Nails
Not willing to give up your sheer, pinky-neutral manicure even in November? That’s okay. Orton says that there are ways to upgrade the simple manicure for fall. “The subtle colors of this design make it understated and sophisticated, while the leaf and gold accent make it perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions,” she points out.
Plum Velvet Nails
Plum is a fantastic color choice for November. To make the moody hue even more compelling for your next autumn mani, consider adding a velvet or cat eye finish to the mix.
Snoopy Thanksgiving Nails
One of the most anticipated events of November is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and no float is more famous than Snoopy. All this to say, if nostalgic nail design is your thing, this Thanksgiving Snoopy manicure by Nailing Hollywood artist Laura Malarkey is bound to make you want to beeline to your nail artist.
Sunflower Nails
Sunflowers are often thought to be summer flowers but they often pop up in fall bouquets, too, making them great inspo for your next November nail look. “A sunflower nail art design beautifully captures the cozy, autumnal spirit,” Orton says. “Unlike the bright summer sunflower styles, this version incorporates deeper, warmer tones to reflect the changing season.”
