Nail Artists Say these 6 Nail Colors Make for The Perfect October Manicure

Cherry Mocha

October is the month when your manicure can finally take a darker turn. There’s the obvious route of Halloween nail art, complete with tiny ghosts and spooky seasonal designs. But you can also skip the intricate patterns and get that cozy fall feeling from one perfect nail polish color. “October is when we can really go darker and moodier while still making everything feel expensive and fun,” says California-based nail artist Ramon Duran.

From cherry mocha to pumpkin spice, some of the best October nail colors are inspired by the palettes (and fall drinks) we’re continually reaching for this time of year. That’s part of what makes October manicures so fun: The shades get richer and more interesting than your typical year-round polishes, and start to morph into more elevated hues as the season progresses. To find the shades worth wearing this month, I consulted viral manicurists Sigourney Nuñez and Ramon Duran for their favorite October nail polishes.

Ahead, the best October nail colors to wear all month long, whether you’re going full Halloween or simply want your manicure to feel a little more fall.

@avrnailswatches

“For October I’m always reaching for those rich, moody colors like cherry mocha,” says Duran. “I love the idea of Halloween nails that don’t necessarily scream Halloween, but still feel dark, sexy, and a little spooky.” And that’s exactly where this deep hue comes in. “You can definitely count on some staples like essie's Wicked for a deep dark cherry red,” Nuñez adds.

Juicy Plum

@themaniclub

We’re trading in our summer pastel purples for juicy plum and fig shades this October. The deep hue feels perfect for fall without leaning as expected as your classic burgundies or browns, or as dark as a borderline-black midnight polish. Wear it as a glossy solid manicure or pair it with subtle fall nail art for an elevated seasonal look. Gelcare’s Fig or Olive & June’s Plum make for the chicest fruity fall manicures.

Deep Burgundy

@raelondonnails

Red is a year-round go-to, but the shade gets an elevated update come fall. While tomato red reigns supreme in the summer, October calls for rich burgundy fingertips. The classic shade instantly makes any manicure feel more autumnal, and some of the best red-wine-esque shades are OPI’s Como se Llama and Manucurist’s Dark Pansy.

Pumpkin Spice

@tombachik

Match your pumpkin spice latte to your October manicure with a playful orange hue. Chrome is having an especially big moment this season, and the reflective finish looks even better paired with an autumnal copper shade. Sally Hansen’s Flame On You gives you the reflective look with just a few swipes—no gel or chrome powder necessary. Not to mention, this look is perfect for your October 31 mani.

Midnight Purple

@opi

“The vibe for October is definitely vampy, moody and spooky, so this is the perfect time to tap in those dark seasonal nail colors into the rotation,” says Nuñez. “OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark is the ideal midnight purple.” It also makes for another great Halloween nail color, without needing any designs to make it perfectly on-theme.

Toasted Maple

@craftedbyaprince

If fall had a signature color, brown would have a pretty strong case. From cinnamon-spiced drinks and Halloween chocolate to my cable-knit sweaters and autumnal leather accessories, the hue is everywhere this time of year. And toasted maple brings that same cozy warmth to your fingertips, with a lighter and more golden finish than your classic chocolate brown. Get the neutral look with Essie’s Crochet Away or OPI’s Bonfire Serenade.

Meet the Experts

• Sigourney Nuñez @nailartbysig is a Los Angeles-based nail artist and content creator. She’s worked with brands including Sally Hansen, Pleasing, and more.
• Ramon Duran (@craftedbyaprince) is a nail artist and creator based in Orange County, California.

Why Trust Cosmopolitan?

Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things nails—from the latest manicure trends to new polish launches. For this story, she spoke to nail artists Sigourney Nuñez and Ramon Duran for their expertise on October nail colors.

Jasmine Hyman

Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.