At my recent annual pre-New York Fashion Week nail appointment, I was delighted at the sight of deep red, metallic finishes, and earthy hues. Even though the weather isn’t quite aligned with the ~vision~ yet, everyone’s pretty much in the mood for fall—at least when it comes to our manicures. Fall nail trends are in full swing, including the hottest fall nail colors that have us all a lil too excited for cold weather. Keep scrolling for all the inspo you’ll want to take to your next mani (or snag a manicure set and one of these polishes and DIY).
1. Sage
Not ready to put away your soft, pastel shades? Go for a muted version of the classic olive-green manicure with this matcha-esque shade from J.Hannah. It has an earthy vibe that makes it a dreamy accompaniment to whatever caffeinated beverage you choose to hold this fall.
2. Blackberry
Nail artist Jin Soon Choi used the shade above on the Helmut Lang runway earlier this year, basically cementing it as the coolest fall nail color. “Deep reds are favored shades year after year,” says Jan Arnold, co-founder and style director of CND, “creating a dark and moody manicure that sets the tone for the fall season.”
3. Metallic finishes
Although chrome nails are still a go-to, metallic finishes are going to be especially cool this fall, says Arnold. “Metallic shades such as gold, silver, rose gold, and yellow are consistently a go-to during fall, providing a simple way to elevate your nails as accessories,” she says. “This year, consider wearing combinations of metals or integrating metallic streaks into leaf or floral patterns using classic fall colors to add an extra punch,” she adds.
4. Martini
Nope, “martini nails” aren’t about putting lil martini glasses on your nails (although, you could totally do that too). Instead, it’s all about olive greens, like the gorg shade above from Essie. Nail artist Julie Kandalec predicts it’s going to be majorly trending this fall, noting that it feels like a slight rebrand on the green nails of summer. A far cry from brat summer, amirite?
5. Ballet pinks
Want your nails to look ~cutesy~ and ~demure~? Choose this light-pink polish from Gucci. You can build it up with three to four coats for a beige, neutral tone, which nail artist Lia Smith says evokes “warmth and depth.” But if you want it to give a more “naked nail” vibe, opt for one or two sheer layers—promise, it won’t look chalky like some other sheer, nude-tone polishes tend to do.
6. Warm-toned browns
Every variation of brown should be a go-to every fall season, says says Rachel Apfel Glass, founder of GlossLab nail salons, but if you wanna feel extra current, try a warm-toned version, like this cinnamon-toned shade from OPI. This dark-tan nail polish has a warm caramel base, but it’s neutral enough that it won’t look too murky or ashy even if your skin tone is on the pale side.
7. Mustard yellows
If you’re already missing your bright yellow summer nail color, just swap the neon hue with this equally bold mustard yellow shade from Hermès. Nail artist Galdina Jimenez loves this fall polish because it’s “the perfect transition from fun multi-colored spring and summer shades to more neutral cozy shades that remind us of pumpkin spice lattes and crunchy brown leaves on the ground.” She says it will be “the star shade of fall”—plus, it plays into the western-rodeo trend we’re seeing across beauty and fashion right now (my cowboy boots are about to get so much love).
8. Smokey gray
This nail color makes grunge feel a lil bit softer and cooler. “This shade is rich, comforting, and stylish,” says Arnold. An unexpected way to get that smokey finish is using a jelly polish instead of a traditional creamy gray. Layer on two coats of the Essie “Ink Jelly” shade above; although it looks black in the bottle, it has a sheer, grayed-out effect that totally fits this vibe.
9. Cherry red
No matter the season, you’ll always see people with manicured red nails. But it was actually all over fall 2024 runways at Prabal Gurung and Retrofete. This fall, expect to see bright, glossy variations, says Glass. She loves how a fiery-red manicure spices up a simple fall outfit, whether you’re using the color to do a simple manicure, a fun French mani, or just an accent nail with nail stickers.
10. Glossy black
Black nails were once reserved for kids who spent their free time roaming Hot Topic (yup, me), but now they’re a minimalist-manicure classic. Swipe on two opaque coats of this glossy, creamy black nail polish to give a high-fashion vibe.
11. Milky cream
For a soft look, try replacing your Bubble Bath nails with a milky cream for fall, like this shade from Manucurist. The warm, eggshell undertones feel lush, especially when paired with a groomed shape and moisturized cuticles and hands.
12. Dusty blue
The nail polish I’m wearing as I type this story? A version of this moody, cool-toned blue, which reminds me of pulling my jeans out of storage before the first day of fall or a misty morning at a cabin. It’s an easy way to wear blue as a neutral, or a great transition shade if you’re not quite ready for navy or blackish-blue polish.
13. Mauve
Sure, dark nails cool and all, but there’s something unexpected about the juxtaposition of light nails next to deep jewel-toned makeup and clothes. And Arnold is obsessed with this light, purple-y, cool-toned mauve hue. “Mauve remains a popular nail shade each fall, as it beautifully complements the seasonal hues all around us,” she adds.
14. Twilight
Take navy polish a step further with this ultra-deep shade from Sally Hansen. It looks nearly black, except when it hits the light and you notice flecks of blue tinges in the hue. It’ll pair well with all of your preppy fall looks (ahem, it’s one of the biggest fall fashion trends, according to Cosmo‘s expert fashion team), but the depth of the shade makes it feel a bit more edgy and current.
Meet the experts:
- Jan Arnold is the cofounder and style director of CND.
- Julie Kandalec is a celebrity nail artist and educator with her own salon in New York, NY. She’s also the founder of Julie K Nail Academy where she provides nail education to salons and spas.
- Lia Smith is a nail artist and the manager of education at OPI North America.
- Galdina Jimenez is a celebrity nail artist based in Oceanside, CA. She is also the education manager and capability at OPI North America.
- Rachel Apfel Glass is the founder of GlossLab, membership-based nail studios across the U.S. that aim to make getting a manicure quick and easy.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing nail polish and shopping stories that range from dip-powder nails to the best-selling beauty products on Amazon. She’s an authority in all nail categories, but is an expert when it comes to fall nail trends, thanks to many interviews with nail experts. She regularly tests and analyzes nail polishes for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top nail artists to assess new formulas and brands.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you “have to try.” Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair ‘do every few months.
