7 Trending Fall Nail Colors to Try for Your Next Autumnal Manicure
Juicy Plum
· CosmopolitanWhile I’m officially mourning my summer manicures full of florals, and saying goodbye to my very last pretty pastel polish of the year, that doesn’t mean fall’s manicure trends are any less exciting. There are so many ways to turn your favorite nail color into a fall-ready moody polish (and good news for the summer lovers, one bright hue is here to stay).
So, let’s get ready to lean into the season of pumpkin spice and spooky decor, shall we? I consulted celebrity manicurists Sigourney Nuñez and John Thomas for all their favorite fall nail colors. No matter your nail length or autumnal aesthetic, these are some fabulous fall manicure trends, and they work with any type of finish, from syrupy sheer to reflective chrome.
Ahead, the best nail polish colors to try this fall.
@raelondonnails
A fall manicure and a moody polish are pretty much synonymous, and a deep plum, fig, or eggplant hue is a go-to. The rich purple can complement any fall wardrobe filled with plaids and cozy knits, and even makes for a chic end-of-October color for your Halloween manicure. Some of the ideal polishes to get the bold mani are Sally Hansen’s Zip Wine and Essie’s Leather Weather.
Cinnamon Spice
@overglowedit
“I’m loving warm, natural golden-brown tones such as honey, caramel, amber, and cognac,” says Thomas. “They feel rich and seasonal without being overly dark.” And you can go for a classic glossy topcoat, but Thomas adds that they also look beautiful as “translucent syrup-like shades, or layered with chrome for more dimension.” For a warm neutral manicure, OPI’s Endless Sun-ner and Material Gworl are equal parts chic and classic.
Burgundy Wine
@raelondonnails
If summer was made for a light pink manicure, autumn was made for deep reds. “Burgundy, oxblood, and deep wine will always be fall staples,” says Thomas. Some of the best fall burgundy polishes include OPI’s Complimentary Wine (a favorite of Thomas’s) and Essie’s Bordeaux.
Bright Blues
@overglowedit
Turquoise and sky blue manicures dominated our fingers this summer, and we’re seeing the bright blue effect enter the fall palette, too. “We usually associate powder blue with warmer months, but it feels completely different when paired with deeper autumn colors,” says Thomas. Nuñez agrees that the hue has seasonal staying power: “Turquoise pairs so well with rich browns and nudes, it’ll add such a playful contrast to the moody looks.” Sally Hansen’s Up In The Clouds or Electric Splash are both unfailing bright blues to wear well through November.
Olive Green
@themaniclub
While I love a deep jewel-toned polish, a transitional olive shade is the perfect way to ease into cooler weather before fully committing to a festive emerald green. Nuñez loves pairing the hue with autumn-favorite burgundy for a rich fall palette. Some olive shades to include in your fall manicure lineup are Manucurist’s Green Tuileries or essie’s Willow in the Wind.
Chocolate Espresso
@themaniclub
Another autumn classic, “Espresso and chocolate shades softer than black but still create a strong manicure,” Thomas says. And if you want to go for an unexpected color combo, “butter yellow has been such a standout color through spring and summer and pairing it with a rich espresso is a fun way to transition it into fall,” Nuñez suggests. Try Cote’s Tobacco or Essie’s No-To Do for a rich manicure good enough to be your coffee order.
Cherry Mocha
@avrnailswatches
Take a classic burgundy manicure into even moodier territory with a black cherry polish. “In fall, clients naturally start asking for deeper, richer colors, and black cherry gives them that seasonal mood without going completely black,” nail artist Viktoriia Voloshyna told Cosmo. “It makes a statement, but it still feels classic and wearable.” Go for OPI’s Black Cherry Chutney or Londontown’s Elderberry for a vampy finish.
Meet the Experts
- Sigourney Nuñez is a Los Angeles-based nail artist. She’s worked with brands like Pleasing, Sally Hansen, and more.
- John Thomas is a Miami-based nail artist whose clients include Alix Earle, Paige DeSorbo, and more.
- Viktoriia Voloshyna is a Los Angeles-based nail artist and educator, international nail competition judge, founder of Tory Pro Nails, and recipient of the 2026 Nail Artist of the Year award.
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things nails—from the latest polish launches to new seasonal trends. For this story, she consulted celebrity nail artists for their most-loved fall nail colors.
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.