Autumn has arrived, and with it a new palatte of nail colours to indulge in. While the summer months have been a flurry of pastels and polka dots, autumn encourages us to turn our attention to all things deeper, darker and richer. Yes, light colours still have their place – a shimmering manicure looks just as chic with a sweater as it does with a tank top – but the return of inky blacks, navy blues and jammy reds is usually too enticing to pass up.
“Autumn is the season for cosying up – it represents comfort and nostalgia,” says nail artist Hang Nguyen, author of . “It’s the perfect season to be inspired by colours and art that bring a sense of warmth as the weather cools down.”
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For Jin Soon Choi, founder of Jinsoon, autumn’s trending polishes draw inspiration from the runways, but also the natural world. “People take inspiration from the changing leaves and weather, but I get mine from the campaigns and fashion shows I work on,” she says. “I’m fortunate to be able to see the latest fashion designs and colour palettes first-hand.” Ultimately, Choi says, autumn is always all about deep, moody and earthy hues.
Short or long, nail health is always paramount, so prioritise the prep work in a manicure (think flawless cuticles) rather than just the colour on top of the nail. “A clean manicure with a natural buff is a great way to remove any staining. I recommend focusing on the health of your nails before you opt for dramatic nail shades,” says Mazz Hanna, CEO of Nailing Hollywood.
Celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec loves a waterless manicure to help colour last longer. “They are becoming more commonplace now,” Kandalec says. “When a nail tech reaches for a warm, soapy bowl of water, [you can] expect your nails to swell, and then polish chips sooner.”
Here, some of the industry’s top nail artists share the autumn nail polish colours that will define the cooler months this year with .
Mother of pearl
Shimmer isn’t just for summer, and it’s most definitely not just for Christmas, either. A subtle, pearlescent sheen brings a healthy glow to nails, blending the fun of a chrome manicure with the pared-back elegance of the ultra-popular “old money” manicure.
Nailberry L’Oxygéné Polish in Inner Glow
Green Natural Nail Polish in Pearlescent
Essie Gel-Like Nail Polish in Drip Drip Metallic Neutral White
This autumn, the decade of bold hair and even bolder colour returns: ’80s fashion, jewellery and beauty are back. Poppy, pillbox red (as worn by Cyndi Lauper and Sheena Easton) is undoubtedly in. Suited to nails of all shapes and lengths, a scarlet manicure always looks good.
Stormy blue
Dior’s Vernis Nail Polish in 902 Pied-de-Poule is a go-to for manicurist Stephanie Stone when she’s trying to achieve just the right amount of moody. “This deep blue is perfect for those who prefer a dark nail without going full goth,” she says. “It’s chic, and leaves lots of colour depth to style your outfits around it for the week.”
A shimmering copper is always a good idea. Nail artist Queenie Nguyen describes the perfect shade as a “muted terracotta with a hint of metallic shimmer”. She recommends a colour like Orly’s Light My (Camp) Fire, while manicurist Yoko Sakakura loves Chanel’s Golden Mermaid for a pretty metallic sheen. We also love Manicurist’s Green Natural Nail Polish in Utopia, a metallic copper, or Essie’s Say It Ain’t Soho.
Chanel Le Vernis – 403 Golden Mermaid
Essie Nail Polish – Say It Ain’t Soho
Manicurist Green Natural Nail Polish – Utopia
Frosted lilac
Nguyen loves this soft, cool-toned lavender for an autumn mani. If you’re looking for a nice finishing touch, she suggests opting for a pearl-like shimmer to elevate the shade. Turn to Londontown’s Opal or O.P.I’s Graffiti Sweetie. We also love Nails Inc’s Euphoria Highlight and Nailberry’s Star Dust for a bold glitter look.
Nothing brings the autumn energy quite like a deep bordeaux, and Sakakura’s pick is Essie’s classic Wicked. We also love Hermès’s Rouge H, Nailberry’s Noirberry, and O.P.I’s Got The Blues For Red.
O.P.I Nail Lacquer Polish – Got The Blues For Red
Nailberry Oxygenated Nail Lacquer – Noirberry
Ballet pink
“Sheer Fantasy by Essie is the perfect neutral pink for anyone who just wants a clean, glossy nail,” says Stone. “It offers less opacity than other neutral pink polishes and really gives your nails a naturally healthy ‘glowing’ appearance.”
Natural greens
Olive, moss and earthy greens all made the list of nearly every nail artist we spoke to for this piece. “They’re neutral enough to go with any outfit but bring a playful element to it,” says Goldstein, who loves CND’s Vinylux in Cap and Gown. Stone opts for JINSoon’s Green Clay, a lighter shade of olive. “This is an easily overlooked colour palette, but once you try it on, you’ll be surprised how quickly it becomes a favourite,” she enthuses.
Misty morning blue
Chanel’s Le Vernis in Muse is a favourite of Chanel nail artist Betina Goldstein for its atmospheric feel. “This colour reminds me of early foggy mornings in the autumn, especially in northern California,” she says. Channel the dreaminess of a chilly beach day with a pale blue/grey hybrid.
Essie Nail Polish in Salt Water Happy
O.P.I Nail Polish Xbox Collection – Can’t CTRL Me
Spiced cherry
Autumn reds are typically inspired by foliage and spices, and the best burgundies reflect that season specific combination. The beauty community is in mourning for Chanel’s (discontinued) Bois Des Isles (“It has the perfect combination of red, brown and orange undertones,” says Goldstein), but Essie in Shearling Darling, or Dior’s Vernis in Nuit 1947, are both worthy alternatives.
Essie Nail Colour Nail Polish – Shearling Darling
Nailberry Oxygenated Nail Lacquer in Kirsch Kiss
Toasted brown
“Warm brown tones create a cosy, comforting feeling that’s ideal for sweater weather,” says Nguyen. Whether cinnamon, milk chocolate, or a light coffee shade, Hanna likes to finish with a matte top coat to make the look feel even warmer.
Essie Core Nail Polish – 897 No To-Do
Nails Inc. Caught in The Nude Nail Polish – Hawaii Beach
Bio Sculpture Nail Polish in 111 Chocolate Fudge
Eggshell white
To get this right, a perfect finish is essential. “I am a big fan of off-white eggshell colours for autumn, especially with a matte top coat,” Goldstein says, pointing toward Color Department’s Coconut Water. “It reminds me of soft cashmere.”
The Bridal Edit By Georgia Rae – French Blanc Gemini Polish
Chanel Le Vernis – Glaciale
Bright pink
Though some eschew brighter polish in autumn, Stone likes to ignore the rules and pop on a few coats of Gucci Vernis a Ongles in Valentina Fuchsia – otherwise known as the perfect hot pink. “Pink is forever, and this bright will offer a youthful pop of colour in your autumn wardrobe.”
Cool matte black
Kandalec loves a black nail with a matte finish for the cooler months. “The matte finish looks chic and leather-like,” she says. “Perfect for autumn.” She used CND’s Black Pool and Matte Shellac Top Coat.
O.P.I Gel Color – Black Onyx
Gucci Glossy Nail Polish – 700 Crystal Black
Nails Inc. in Total Black Out (Matte)
Metallic shine
“I love a metallic tip,” Kandalec says. “It’s an understated way to dress up your mani.” You can opt for gold in cool, warm or yellow tones or gunmetal silver.
Manucurist Green Natural Nail Polish – Mermaid
O.P.I Nail Polish – Tinsel-Tinsel 'Lil Star
Essie Nail Polish – Set In Stones
Try some of the fun, bright shades you’ve been using all summer to keep the mood high as autumn hits. “Bright orange shimmer works as a perfect transitional shade from summer to autumn,” says Kandalec.
Hermès Les Mains Nail Polish – 33 Orange Boite
Essie Original Nail Polish – Break It Sundown
Essie Nail Polish – Meet Me At Sunset
How to pick the right dark shade for you
Naturally, autumn inspires thoughts of darker polishes, with juicy wine-toned colours, fudgy chocolates and inky blues springing to mind the moment the weather changes. And, while it’s fun to try something new, knowing what suits you can be a tricky ask – especially if you’ve never gone ultra-dark before.
Here are a few expert tips to take into account.
“For cooler undertones, I love blue-based reds, black cherry, burgundy, plum and true navy,” celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton explained to British . “A shade like a blue-toned oxblood or aubergine can look incredibly elegant.”
OPI Nail Lacquer in Black Cherry Chutney
If your skin has gold, peach or yellow undertones – often with greenish veins – Shelton suggests looking for browns and reds with warmth running through them. That could be a chocolate brown, warm burgundy, mahogany, brick-toned reds and warmer navy shades.
Manucurist Green Flash LED Gel Polish in Clove
Neutral can go both ways – towards the warmer and cooler ends of the spectrum. With that in mind, Shelton says all colours are fair game, citing “deep navy, chocolate, oxblood, aubergine and true black” as great options.
Essie Gel Couture Caviar Bar
When you’re ready for autumn nail designs, there’s a whole world to explore there, too. Enjoy!