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After months of wearing bright colors and tropical-inspired polish, it’s time for yet another seasonal shift. As fall rolls in, we welcome the darker more cozy side of the color spectrum. Moody greens, pumpkin spice inspired oranges and deeper purples are the perfect pairing to the cool, crisp weather right around the corner. We asked nail experts Jan Arnold, Rita Pinto, and Mazz Hanna to share the best nail polish colors for fall that ensure a seamless transitional manicure.
Deep Purple
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
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
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
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.
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Deep Reds
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
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
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
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
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
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.”
