The best fall nail colors take inspiration from seasonal transitions, and accordingly tend to be warmer, earthier and moodier. You can thank the changing of the leaves and the vampier tones of autumn for some of the most popular hues of the time. Our top picks below include warm espresso brown from OPI, Essie’s shiny silver and Chanel’s seductive burgundy.
“Deep rouges are associated with sensuality and create a decadent, sophisticated nail look,” says nail artist Ami Streets of her prediction for fall’s must-have color. And whether you gravitate toward inky blues or off-the-beaten-path martini green, chances are these bolder choices will be perfectly on-trend right now. So you’re not stumped by the color wall at your next manicure, we asked 10 top nail artists for their take on the best fall nail shades. Read ahead for their recommendations on the coolest hues of the season, from plummy reds to chocolate-y browns.
Best Fall Nail Colors
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- This article was written by beauty contributor Tina Chadha, who has a decade of experience writing about all corners of the beauty market, and has firsthand experience with many of the brands on this list.
- All picks were approved by Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung, who considers herself an at-home mani expert and has been covering beauty and wellness for more than 15 years.
- We interviewed 10 nail experts on their top trends for fall. These pros include manicurist and educator Julie Kandalec; nail artist Tom Bachik; nail artist and manicurist Ami Streets; nail artist and manicurist Delphine Aïssi; nail artist and author of Nail Art Deck, Hang Nguyen; Zoya creative director, Rebecca Isa; nail artist Tara Haye; nail artist and founder of JinSoon, Jin Soon Choi; nail artist and salon owner, Jenny Bui; and nail artist Sonya Meesh.
How We Chose The Best Nail Trends For Fall
For this list of the best nail polish trends, we evaluated trend forecasts on dozens of top brand sites, interviewed top nail artists, studied runway reports and combed through nail expert recommendations online.
- We interviewed top nail artists and celebrity manicurists for their insight.
- The experts we interviewed provided suggestions, as well as input, on the best nail polish formulations and other shopping tips.
- We did extensive online research, taking into account runway and viral trends.
- As everyone’s budget and preferences look different, we included both affordable and luxury options as well as a curated selection of trends.