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Ah, the changing of the seasons is upon us. After all those bright, tropical hues we’ve been rocking for months, it’s time to embrace the cozier, moodier side of the color wheel. As autumn rolls in, we’re welcoming those deep, earthy greens, pumpkin spice-inspired oranges, and rich, sultry purples – the perfect paints to pair with the crisp, cool weather just around the corner.
To ensure our manicures make a seamless transition into fall, we tapped the expertise of some top nail gurus – Jan Arnold, Rita Pinto, and Mazz Hanna. They’ve got the scoop on the best nail polish shades to rock as we say goodbye to summer and hello to the cozier days ahead.
Meet the Expert
- Jan Arnold, co-founder and style director of CND.
- Rita Pinto, founder of Vanity Projects New York and Miami.
- Mazz Hanna, nail expert and CEO of Nailing Hollywood.
Deep Purple
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Come fall, it’s time to swap summer’s lavender shades for deeper tones of purple. This dark purple polish is turned up a notch with a gold pearl finish, which Arnold says gives a dynamic feel. “These shades are dark and mysterious yet exude extreme energy and richness,” he says. “I love a dark nail year-round, but a color like this is important for fall.”
Black Cherry
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You can’t go wrong with this fall manicure classic. A vampy black cherry hue is the perfect balance of moody and chic. For a fresh take on the color, Arnold recommends wearing it on an almond or stiletto-shaped nail and dusting it with chrome for a dynamic accent.
Smoky Grey
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Sophisticated and understated shades of gray are a fall favorite, no matter the nail length. “They bring a modern vibe to fall’s more neutral shades,” Hanna says. Plus, most grey polishes are buildable allowing you to go sheer or opaque depending on the number of layers applied. “You can also pair a smoky gray nail with a matte topcoat for more of an edgy look.”
Mauve
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Mauve nails are a classic neutral shade that is perfect if you prefer more of a simple look. Pinto suggests wearing the color as-is or paired with the aura airbrush trend and chrome accents. The key to pulling off mauves is to find a color with the right amount of purple, brown, and gray undertones to avoid a muddy look.
Deep Reds
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Every fall, darker shades of red, a la merlot and burgundy, make an appearance. “Deep reds perfectly match the cozy vibes of fall,” says Hanna. “It’s a timeless color that looks beautiful on all nail shapes yet is bold enough to make a statement.” This season, she expects richer shades of red to lean heavier on the side of cool undertones.
Jet Black
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Super shiny jet-black nails are the perfect color to usher in the colder season. According to Pinto, prepare to see more black manicures this fall with chrome accents and even intricate motif nail art to add dimension to the color.
Chocolate Brown
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For a more earth-toned manicure, try a shade of dark chocolate brown. “[This color] is warm and rich. It works well as a colorful French tip, color-blocked, or multicolor manicure where each nail is painted a [different] shade,” Hanna shares. An easy way to glam up the color is to add a chrome topper or a coat of gold glitter topcoat for a bit more sparkle.
Olive Green
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Olive green gives nails a fall flare while maintaining a minimalistic look. Whether worn alone or accented with gold for a pop of color and drama, Hanna calls the color deep and moody with a bit more depth.
Milky Colors
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Milky pale pinks, sheer lavenders and translucent whites are an easy way to transition from summer to fall while still maintaining a subtle yet sophisticated vibe. According to Pinto, milky polish colors are “the choice and trending with all our it-girl clients. They also pair with chrome to create a glazed donut effect.”
Metallics
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With a metallic manicure, the bigger the shine the more of a statement it makes. “Metallic shades such as gold, silver, rose gold, and yellow are go-to’s, providing a simple way to elevate the nails as accessories,” Arnold adds. “Consider wearing a combination of different metallics or integrating metallics into leaf and floral nail art patterns for an extra punch.”