This time of year brings out the best in both fashion and beauty. Fall trends typically revolve around chic outerwear and cozy sweaters, but the colder weather also inspires me to switch up my nail look. I usually don't stray too far from neutral bubble bath-hued tips, but it just feels right to go with a shade that draws inspiration from fall's top nail trends.
Barbie brights and fiery reds take center stage in the summer, whereas fall and winter are all about sophisticated, deep hues. Think: rich burgundy, dark-as-night black, and even chocolate brown. Are these shades particularly groundbreaking? Maybe not. But, they have an elegance that makes them universally flattering, so they keep coming back around every fall. And if Hailey Bieber loves a dark fall manicure, I’m taking notes (and copying her look immediately).
For the full fall nail breakdown, I turned to celebrity nail artists Iram Shelton and Elle Gerstein for their take on the season's top shades. Keep scrolling to learn their top color recommendations, and get ready to shop a few polishes so you can perfect your new fall manicure at home.
Burgundy
Gerstein and Shelton agree: Deep, dark red is the It-girl shade of the season. Ever since August, the moody red nail trend has been taking over the hands of A-listers from Zendaya to Selena Gomez, and we’re not mad about it—the color is a classic for a reason. “Burgundy is the epitome of elegance and classiness for autumn,” says Shelton, who says the shade is “so versatile.” The nail pro is a big fan of the shade on short nails with a glossy top coat, but feel free to experiment with finishes and lengths.
Jet Black
Pitch-black nails were an emerging nail trend from New York Fashion Week—from the long squared-off tips at Christian Cowan to a tiger-striped take at Luar. With it being spooky season and all, black isn’t a surprising shade to reach for at your next manicure appointment, but there are ways to feel the classic fall color feel fresh. Gerstein suggestion? Try a cat-eye, marble, or jelly effect. “It’s about taking this color, texturizing it, and not wearing it flat,” she says.
Metallics
Even though fashion’s metallic trend saw its heyday during the Spring/Summer 2023 runway season, chrome-ified nails are heating up for fall. Shiny finishes were spotted up and down the recent Spring 2025 shows, and before that, Eva Longoria and Hailey Bieber gave their A-list stamp of approval with their chic, subtle takes on a metallic French manicure. No matter what you’re wearing, shiny silvers and golds instantly elevate your look, says Shelton. “Metallics are a good way to add edge to a once plain nail,” the nail pro adds. “They’re perfect for special occasions and everyday wear.”
Navy Blue
Hailey Bieber and her blackberry nails promptly gave us new fall mani inspo.
Blame it on the weather turning colder, but it just makes sense to go with darker nail polishes in the fall. Even Hailey Beiber agrees since her fall manicures seem to turn dark once fall arrives. Beiber’s nails are always on point (she single-handedly started the glazed donut manicure trend, after all) so if you're searching for the trendiest shades, she's always one to watch. We took notes last month when she posted a set of chic blackberry nails on Instagram, proving that luxe navy is the perfect alternative to black.
Jellies
Models were sent down runway for Vitto's Spring/Summer 2025 show with mega-long jelly pink nails.
Marked by a sheer, ultra-shiny finish, so-called "jelly" shades are slowly becoming a manicure go-to because they work year-round. “You can make any shade into a jelly simply by adding it to any clear or top coat,” explains Gerstein. To get the look, Gerstein says to start by adding four to five drops of your favorite shade to a top coat—make sure the bottle has some room—then see how you like the opacity. Once you’ve got your desired opacity, you’re ready to apply.
Chocolate Brown
Rich brown textured nail polish at Ahluwalia's Spring/Summer 2025 mimics the look of a chocolate truffle.
Chocolate brown nails are so rich you could almost taste them—and that might be a reason why the shade is trending. Sure it might not seem like the most glamorous color in the bottle (maybe even a tad ugly) but Gerstein insists that celebrities are loving the tone this season. Shelton adds, “From the richer, deep tones to the slightly cooler tones, there’s a shade match for everyone.” You could go for an orange leafy brown à la Hailey Bieber or a deep dark espresso. In either case, the color feels particularly suited for the cozy season.
Meet the Experts
Luxury nail artist & lifestyle content creator, Iram Shelton, has amassed a huge social media following, owing to her enviable travel stories and stylish nail posts. A star resident at the Bulgari Hotel London Spa, she offers luxury manicures to clients in the capital, and was appointed as global ambassador for OPI in July 2023.
A natural born nail artist, Elle opened her own business at age 17, with over 80 clients per week. Now one of the industry's top artists, Elle is world renowned for her cutting-edge nail shaping, and her understanding of color, texture and trends. For Elle, nail styling means creating the ultimate glamour. Her celebrity clientele includes Lindsay Lohan, Blake Lively, and Kelly Ripa.
