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As fall nail art ideas start to pop up, one specific trend has emerged as an A-list favorite of the season: toffee nails. In the past couple of weeks, celebs like Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber, and Anitta have all worn variations of the fall-ready manicure.
Coined by celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik, toffee nails are exactly as the name implies. “Toffee nails are high-gloss, semi-sheer fall shade inspired by candy—think butterscotch or caramel,” Bachik tells Glamour. “As we transition into fall, toffee nails have the same feel as the ‘soap nails’ that were so popular this summer, but with color.”
Bachik created toffee nails for Gomez, his longtime client, at Colorado’s Telluride Film Festival earlier this month, where the actor was promoting her new film Emilia Perez. The shade is a lovely light brown with a hint of blushing beige undertones. Specifically, he used the Aprés Nail Light & Shadow Sheer Gel Couleur shade Be Still.
“I always start with the perfect manicure using the Tweezerman x Tom Bachik Ultimate Nail Care Set,” Bachik says. “These tools provide the precision I need to create a meticulous canvas for the look.”
As for why toffee nails are trending? Bachik says cooler weather calls for a return to the basics. “I love toffee nails for fall because it’s timeless, and I’m all about the trend of perfectly manicured nails,” he says. “Toffee nails are all about nails that look clean, effortless, and fresh. Toffee nails are the best version of your natural nails with a wash of color. It’s an elevated take on a classic look.”
Bachik recommends starting with “a polished, clean manicure” before selecting the perfect toffee nails shade. “I have been loving Cold Coffee by Aprés Nail.”
Ready to get the look? Below, our top nail polish picks for toffee nails—plus our favorite designs to bring to you next salon appointment. Get ready to screenshot.
Cold Coffee Apres Nail
$15.00, Apres Nail
Be Still Apres Nail
$15.00, Apres Nail
Chanel Le Vernis Faun
$32.00, Chanel
Londontown Lakur Bee’s Knees
$16.00, London Town Lakur
Square toffee nails
Coffee toffee nails
Ombré toffee nails
Chrome toffee nails
Minimalist toffee nails
Caramel toffee nails
Metallic French toffee nails
Ariana Yaptangco is the senior beauty editor at Glamour. Follow her @arianayap.
Originally Appeared on Glamour