14 Trending Autumn Nail Colours To Spice Up Your Seasonal Manicure

It’s officially time to think about the autumn nail colours you want to try this year. Put away the bright whites and pastel yellows, and embrace all that’s indulgent, inviting and cosy – but leave room for some unexpected colours, too. “Autumn is the season for cosying up – it represents comfort and nostalgia,” says nail artist Hang Nguyen, author of Nail Art Deck. “It’s the perfect season to be inspired by colours and art that bring a sense of warmth as the weather cools down.”

For Jin Soon Choi, founder of Jinsoon, autumn’s trending polishes are inspired by both the runways and 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.” Still, Choi says that autumn is ultimately all about deep, moody and earthy hues.

Short or long, nail health is always paramount, and it’s all about 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. From vampy shades to glamorous metallics, there’s a shade for everyone.

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.”

Copper

A shimmering copper colour 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 really 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.

Frosted lilac

Nguyen loves this soft, cool-toned lavender for an autumn mani. If you’re looking for a nice finishing touch, she says to opt 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 lilac glitter look.

Bordeaux

Nothing brings the autumn energy quite like a deep bordeaux, and Sakakura’s pick is the classic Essie Wicked. We also love shades like Hermès nail polish in Rouge H, Nailberry’s Noirberry and O.P.I’s Got The Blues For Red.

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

Though autumn is usually associated with deeper hues, there’s something to be said for trying a surprising, lighter colour, too. 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.

Spiced cherry

Autumn reds are typically inspired by foliage and spices, and the best burgundies reflect that season-specific combination. For a solid starting point, Chanel’s (since discontinued) Bois Des Isles comes recommended by Stone and Goldstein. “It has the perfect combination of red, brown and orange undertones,” says Goldstein. “It is intense and rich, yet not too deep, making it one of my favourite colours for autumn.” A worthy alternative is the Essie nail polish, Shearling Darling, or Dior’s Vernis in Nuit 1947.

Toasted brown

“Warm brown tones create a cosy, comforting feeling that’s ideal for sweater weather,” says Nyguen. 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.

Eggshell white

Eggshell is one of the most sumptuous shades, but to get it 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.”

Bright pink

Summer is over, but Barbiecore isn’t going away. And, 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.

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, and so on – there’s a colour for everyone.

Bright orange

Autumn doesn’t have to mean exclusively using muted tones or moody colours on your nails. Try some of the fun, bright shades you’ve been using all summer to add some fun to your fingertips. “Bright orange shimmer works as a perfect transitional shade from summer to autumn,” says Kandalec.