Designs Gallery













Crisper temperatures and changing leaves call for lots of transitions; a change in your wardrobe being among the most important. As you pull out your cardigans, tights, and boots in shades of burgundy, olive, camel, and mustard, you may find yourself wanting a manicure to match. Lucky for you, there are plenty of autumn nail trends to try, one of the biggest being ombré.
And ombré doesn’t have to mean something complicated. You can take all of the fall shades listed above and paint each nail with one of them for a gradient effect or you can take the term quite literally and create the light to dark gradient on every nail– this works especially well with a French design.
Whatever your preference, ahead you’ll find over 20 of our favorite takes on fall ombré nail designs along with insight from leading nail artists, Sonya Belakhlef and Andréa Barbet. Keep reading to find your ultimate nail inspiration for the weeks and months ahead.
Meet the Expert
- Sonya Belakhlef is a professional nail artist for celebrities and editorial who has been in the industry since 2014.
- Andréa Barbet is a professional nail artist based in Paris.
Blue Tips
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cropped_Image24-530dc0adfede46fea43bfe4480edede2.png)
This blue-to-mauve fade keeps the brightest color concentrated at the tips, with a touch of sparkle throughout. A look like this, “is for the very patient DIYer—I would suggest going to a salon and having a professional do it,” says Belakhlef
Sunset Shades
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cropped_Image25-8106f275350847be86d9f048da34c5cc.png)
“I love ombré nails. They are a fall statement! You can be creative and play with any color you want: brown, beige, orange, green,” says Barbet. Here, nails get a vibrant mix of yellow, orange, and pink, with two statement nails getting the addition of flame-like tips.
Cotton Candy Nails
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cropped_Image21-0b5c1707dd1d432c83feac2939e27c78.png)
This more subtle take on the look sees a variety of pastel shades subtly combined on the nails for a seamless blend. The colors used here mimic a sunset.
Shades of Green
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cropped_Image26-d6a6bfb73d424f738aafe4fc61570e43.png)
One unique way to try the trend is by using a different shade on each nail. “My favorite version of ombré nails is having a different shade of the same color across five fingers,” says Belakhlef. Here, the color is green, with shades moving darker across each digit.
Pastel Gradient
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cropped_Image22-504b4cdc796b4ce6938ccfe278ce1045.png)
We love this less subtle take on the ombré trend, which sees a gradient of pink, yellow and orange hues on the nail. “There are many easy ways to achieve it, with eyeshadow powders, makeup sponges, or simply by blurring with the nail polish brush,” says Barbet.
Teal Textured Ombré
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cropped_Image27-da2a7617845d474c88a356984d81aeda.png)
“You can twist it and make a manicure more exciting by using several gradient colors and creating a cloudy or aura nail effect,” Barbet says. Here, each nail gets a cloud-like ombré coating– some matte and some glossy– with the addition of a few drops of “water” to create a rainy day look. It’s the perfect fall take on summer’s viral pool nails.
Nude Gradient
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/paintboxnails_106127586_578864826130483_6436959117208267196_n-e481222d895d4cd3a8c451d56decdee5.jpg)
Ombré nails can have two meanings these days—a traditional ombré that fades from one shade to the next on the same nail, or modern “gradient” nails like these that feature a fade from nail to nail. We love this gradient-style swatch of nudes.
Burnt Orange Ombré
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/the_gelbottle_inc_119992629_839076553295826_3086823440211140000_n-72486a33b84e4d4988eef8bb0deb8153.jpg)
If you feel confident in your DIY ombré nail abilities (or if you have your manicurist on speed dial to bring your nail looks to life), check out this impeccable seasonal fade. We love how the transition is inverted from nail to nail.
Cafe Au Lait French Fade
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/the_gelbottle_inc_120199607_4394883403911770_2554886602428167049_n-b373070a00dc4b778dc05ab258436871.jpg)
Autumn is home to a handful of neutral shades, making this nude-colored fade a stunning option for those who like to keep it more minimalist. While each nail features a different color polish, we dig how the French manicure line ties them all together.
Amethyst Ombré
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at4.15.02PM-cd46dacad1d949c9803a6d79c4eb00da.png)
Amethyst is known to soothe stress and promote an overall tranquil vibe—something we could all use a little more of this year. And, as you’ll notice, the crystal also touts its very own ombré properties, making it a lovely crystal to recreate on your nails this fall.
Pumpkin Fade
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at4.16.29PM-353535db5b254738891968bb21aca0b1.png)
Shades of orange and yellow combine for a seriously sweet pumpkin pie-inspired nail look. For the ultimate orange worthy of your collection, check out OPI’s Nail Lacquer in Have Your Panettone and Eat it Too.
Spicy Ombré
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at5.58.37PM-bafc0bd9d6c84a44a15e651ab89e226b.png)
Burgundy, orange, yellow, and glitter collide for a fiery fall fade we can’t take our eyes off of. And since it features a touch of negative space at the base, you won’t have to worry about instant grow-out.
Asymmetric Stripes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at6.00.14PM-a711b36683bf4e5cb536e19e9778263b.png)
Consider going halfsies on each nail with this asymmetric take on the look.
Mocha Shimmer
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at6.01.29PM-9b1191bac1664836ad1a939647955974.png)
Excuse us while we try to recreate these swirly, mocha-colored nails. The fade is so subtle yet so, so sweet.
Bronze Glitter Ombré
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at6.02.50PM-98643b8b016b4fb4aa3195f651e5322f.png)
Fall is the perfect time to try a warmer-toned manicure, like this bronzy, glittered look that would perfectly complement a burgundy sweater or olive green peacoat.
Cranberry Fade
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at6.04.04PM-6cdf70d26b974e9695b3532f246455e6.png)
To mimic Amy Le’s impeccable nailfie, be sure to touch up your edges, apply a high-shine topcoat, and hydrate your cuticles and hands (these days, we’re loving Olive & June’s The Serum Set, which features not only hand serum but cuticle serum, too).
Mauve Gradient Mani
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/themaniclub_375531206_316399247544441_3358931714763243703_n-829beda8f12942c7a07174bc96a3c8f0.jpg)
Mauves tend to pop up all over FW runways, and we’re expecting to see them all over nails this season too (and we’re not complaining). Show your manicurist this lovely mauve gradient at your next appointment for a mani that goes with everything.
Icy Ombré
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at6.06.16PM-b8910197276d41a49b85eb76894fe21c.png)
Take your nails from fall to winter with this glittery, icy ombré manicure.
Olive Ombré Gradient
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at6.07.49PM-419352876242483cb900ea14b0af57ec.png)
With this gradient-style ombré, you don’t have to choose your favorite shade of olive. Match your mani to your outerwear for the ultimate monochromatic moment.
Sea Glass Gradient
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2023-09-06at6.08.59PM-139dbaab058e452c81749d7b567e91e6.png)
Deep blues and seafoam greens might evoke thoughts of summer, but these shades look perfect when paired with the olive greens and burnt oranges of fall. Try the look gradient style with frosted nails that resemble sea glass, as coined by nail artist Jessica Washick.
Short Aura Ombré
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tinybrushes_364300494_671733318321422_2426360923258652523_n-940618e985cd449fbb230193d933f5e1.jpg)
This take on trendy aura nails features a nude base that darkens to a subtle pink in the middle allowing it to feel like a neutral, goes-with-everything manicure. It also makes a good case for proving that short nails can participate in the ombré nail art trend.
Mismatched Ombré
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sierrasnails__277417973_1094972221065318_1970719504468780701_n-89d120f0df6d49fc8edbb401be06f0bb.jpg)
Mismatched nails a la Hailey Bieber are all the rage, but this manicure approaches the trend differently. One hand is painted a solid blue shade and the other has an ombré gradient with negative space stars for a totally unique look.
Ombré Dots
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/lolo.nailedit_296300226_1093971524579556_3058827895695344476_n-22b9c867368644a2bd609aacaef3830f.jpg)
Rather than doing full-on ombré polish, this look applied the gradient effect to its design. Not only do the red dots go from big to small, but they also fade in intensity.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Cropped_Image23-044bd897673e4b39a9772f533136a593.png)