I'm Wearing Chocolate Nails on Repeat This Fall
They're the perfect sweet and chic manicure.


There's no official rule stating that certain nail colors can only be worn during specific seasons. A cherry red, for example, is closely associated with summer, but I'd argue that red nail polish, in a more burgundy hue perhaps, is a perfect fall manicure. The same goes for pink, blue, and green. That being said, no polish perfectly encapsulates the cozy, comforting energy of fall and winter quite like chocolate nails.
Shades of brown always become extra popular this time of year—even your favorite celebrities are in on it. Khloé Kardashian's first official fall manicure was a rich, chocolate brown shade, while Jennifer Lopez was recently spotted wearing a "toasted" brown shade. No matter what you settle on, there really are an endless number of shade options to choose from. Not to mention the design inspiration you can find just about anywhere.
From brown tips to metallic overlays, I've rounded up 15 gorgeous chocolate manicures that you can wear all season long.
Classic Chocolate Brown
Brown nail polish comes in a variety of shades, but nothing beats a classic, all-over chocolate brown. This is also a good opportunity to add some character by playing around with your nail shape.
Tortoise Shell
Tortoise shell is a classic nail design that's both chic and funky at the same time, and achieving the look at home is easier than ever thanks to several press-on designs you can buy pretty much anywhere.
Geometric Brown
Again, wearing a chocolate brown manicure doesn't mean you'll only ever have one shade of brown to choose from. Mix and match brown tones, such as chocolate and caramel, while adding a geometric twist, as this manicure does.
Mixed Browns
Can't decide on just one color or design? Get creative and combine a few different ones. May I suggest a checkerboard with a side of Halloween ghosts?
Shimmery Chocolate Brown
If solid block nails are a little too plain for your liking, a great way to spice things up without getting too out-of-the-box is to throw on a few coats of a chocolate glitter polish.
Copper
For a solid color that gives off the perfect amount of cozy vibes without being too dark, copper is the perfect in-between.
Espresso Brown
Speaking of cozy, no color adds warmth and sophistication to a manicure like a deep, dark, espresso brown. It's the ultimate rich girl aesthetic.
Metallic Brown
You don't have to pick an intricate nail design to add some character or funk to your nails. A metallic brown hue will add a lot of spice without going overboard.
Chocolate Micro French Manicure
The great thing about a French manicure is that you can stylize it in a myriad of ways, this look being a great example. If you're tired of simple white tips, switch things up by throwing a chocolate brown color on your tips. The micro French look is perfect if you want to wear colored tips on shorter nails.
Tortoise Shell Tips
Believe it or not, tortoise shell nails can be customized too, and if you don't want to commit to the design all over, add it as a French tip.
3D Chocolate
Mix and match your browns while also throwing in some 3D elements to really give your nails some character. All you need is some nail glue and appliques straight from Amazon.
Chocolate Cat Eye
Cat eye nails may look pretty similar to iridescent nails, but the key difference is that they're meant to have a velvety, metallic look that almost have a mirror-like effect.
Glazed Toffee
Glazed donut nails aren't going anywhere just yet. Give the trend a cozy twist by using a light brown polish before adding a chrome overlay.
Caramel Brown
You can wear deep brown colors, or you can explore lighter colors like this creamy, caramel brown. It has the same sleek, sophisticated effect of chocolate nail, but offers a lighter alternative.
Warm Hot Chocolate
This shade is light and creamy, like a cup of hot chocolate, and it's the perfect warm hue to turn to if you're looking for something to get you into the fall mood.
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Danielle Jackson is the senior beauty writer at Marie Claire. She has nearly a decade of experience covering beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment and was previously the senior beauty editor at Women's Health, where she thoughtfully covered topics related to skincare, haircare, aesthetics, and wellness. Before that, she spent three years as an assistant beauty editor at PS, and in the years since, her work has appeared in titles like Vogue, InStyle, Glamour, and more. Danielle graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in English, and has lived in Brooklyn for almost ten years. When she's not writing, you can find her reading romance novels and talking about sunscreen. You can find her on Instagram @danielleknecole.