Here it comes – the season of pumpkin spice lattes, beautiful colors all around, and, of course, it comes with a perfect opportunity to switch up our nail game.
Now, I’m no nail tech, but that does NOT stop me from experimenting with nail art and enjoying some awesome nail designs.
Seasonal trends? Yes, please.
From experimenting with my own nails, I’ve concocted a mix of styles that are quintessentially fall. They’re all my babies, but I’ve managed to pick out my absolute favorite autumn nails ideas to inspire you.
Trendy Brown Marble Nails
These nails of mixed browns and creamy swirls bring to mind a hot mocha on a chilly day. Marble nails are oh-so-trendy right now, and for good reason! To get this swirled beauty at home, use a fine-tipped brush to blend your browns and nudes on a wet base coat. The best part is that there are no mistakes – just happy little accidents!
Orange Aura Nails with Green Chrome Finish
Orange you glad I included these? Aura nails have taken the nail world by storm. All you need is some eyeshadow, and you have a unique and fashionable creation on your nails! With a cute green chrome finish, these nails scream a trendy fall aesthetic with a twist. This design is all about that contrast – the warmth of orange and the coolness of green work together perfectly. Achieving this look may take a few extra steps, but it’s totally worth it.
Matte Black Nails with Glossy Tips
We’re taking the classic French tip to a dark side, perfect for those longer nights of autumn. The matte black gives a velvety touch, while the glossy tips add just the right amount of sheen and creativity. Best part? Super simple to achieve. Matte top coat over black polish, and a swipe of glossy top coat on the tips. Spooky, chic, and totally in vogue.
Tortoise Shell Nails
Channel your inner vintage goddess with these tortoise shell nails. Another great nail design for autumn! They are the perfect amount of retro to make your nail design swoon-worthy. Mimic the look by applying layers of translucent amber gel polish and adding spots of brown polish before you cure the first layer. Repeat once or twice until you’re happy with the look of your dark ‘tortoise shell’ spots.
Brown and Pink Nails with Heart Accents
Who says hearts are just for Valentine’s? These nails mix soft pink with rich autumnal brown, featuring extra adorable heart accents (just to make it fun). To recreate this, use a dotting tool to make two little circles next to each other, and then turn them into hearts with the help of a nail art brush. Totally in love with these!
Matte Brown Skittle Nails with Glossy Swirls
Mixing textures is all the rage, and these coffin-shaped matte brown skittle nails with glossy swirls are no exception. The mix of matte and shine makes it fun to look at and touch! The glossy swirls can be freehanded with a glossy top coat over the matte top coat for a subtle, yet effective contrast.
Pumpkin and Fall Leaves Nails
Pumpkin everything, please! These nails are a real tribute to fall: pumpkins and colorful leaves paint a pretty autumnal picture. Grab your gel nail polishes and some seasonal nail stickers and let your creativity flow. A bit of creativity and love for the season are all you need.
Plaid Nail Art
The classic autumn pattern, plaid, isn’t just for scarves. It’s also for nails! The key to nailing this design (pun intended) is patience and precision. Use the longest nail art brush to create clean lines, curing each line separately. Alternate autumnal colors for that cozy sweater effect.
Dark Green Color with Animal Print
I find that dark colors suit this season. Embrace your dark (and wild) side with this deep green and animal print combo. The subtle animal print accent adds a dash of elegance to the color of pine trees. Use a fine brush to detail the spots with black nail polish. It couldn’t be easier – the spots can all be slightly different, so don’t worry about messing up!
Purple Fall Flower Nails
It doesn’t have to be all dark – here’s a little floral autumn fantasy, with slightly muted colors and flower designs. With a steady hand and a mix of light and dark purples, you can bring some feminine energy into the cooler autumn months.
Green Almond Nails
I just love how emerald color looks on nails! These nails give off a classy chic vibe and are perfect for those who appreciate a a bit of color, while staying on the elegant side. To get this look, go for almond nail tips and choose a deep green polish. For accent nails, use a nude base color, then using a nail art brush paint the green lines and a french tip effect.
Ombre Brown Nail Design with Chrome Finish
These are probably one of my favorites! The ombre trend lives on. This nail set transitions from a nude color at the base to a a milky chocolate at the tips. The chrome finish just adds that little extra zing, you know? This ombre look can be achieved with a sponge technique, dabbing on the polish until you’ve got a seamless gradient effect.
Olive Green Nail Color
Ah, the understated yet super trendy olive green! This nail color absolutely has to be part of your fall look – versatile and on-trend. The solid color application is a breeze, but the result is anything but basic. It’s the color that somehow goes great with everything in autumn!
Matte Blue and Peach Color Combo
Who says half and half doesn’t work on nails? This matte blue paired with a soft peach color gives off mixed vibes in the best way possible! Achieve this by applying a matte top coat over your favorite cold and warm shades. Perfect if you can’t decide between two colors!
The PERFECT Burnt Orange Nail Color
The quintessential autumn color, burnt orange, has never looked better. It’s probably THE perfect autumn nail color. This solid color looks fantastic on any nail shape and adds a pop of fall to any outfit.
Greyish Blue and White Ombre Nails
Turn a misty autumn morning into nail art. The greyish-blue fades into a soft white, creating a smoky effect that’s perfect for sweater weather. I got so many compliments on these! The ombre technique is all about that blend, so don’t rush the sponge work.
Red Autumn Nails
Classic red gets an autumn makeover with this deep shad and little animal print accent. It’s the color of apples in the orchard ready for picking. This extra classy look is easy to achieve. It will look great in the office as well as at a dinner party.
White Leaves on Green Nails
It’s a walk in the woods with these nature-inspired beauties. The hand-painted white leaves on a soft forest green base create a stunning and very Instagrammable look! Grab a thin brush and a dotting tool to paint these delicate leaves. If you’re not very confident with the brush, make sure to cure the nail in between different leaves, so you can ‘save’ your work before moving on to the next part of the nail.
Orange Leopard Print Nail Design
Fierce and fabulous, this orange leopard print look works wonderfully for fall. The bright orange matches pumpkins and fallen leaves, while the speckled leopard pattern spots add playfulness. Use a dotting tool for the spots, and don’t worry about perfection – the beauty is in the irregularity.
Royal Blue Nails
Who says fall is all about warm tones? This royal blue is a breath of crisp, fresh air. They’re like the October sky on a clear day. Go bold with this solid color and let your nails do the talking.
Nude Coffin Nails
Elegance meets simplicity with these nude coffin nails. They’re amazing if you’re going for a sleek, understated, and feminine look. The key is the right nude shade – go for something with greyish and brownish undertones to really bring out the moodiness of the season.
Black Cateye Nails
These black cateye nails bring all the beautiful drama. The shimmering effect creates the illusion of depth and mystery. A magnet is your secret weapon here, pulling the metallic particles into that mesmerizing cat-eye pattern. Another beautiful dark look for this fall!
Black + Animal Print
Wild and bold, these nails combine the timelessness of black with – yes, you guessed it – animal print. I can’t help it, animal print is just…cool. Perfect for that edgy autumn outfit or just because you’re feeling fierce. Recreate this by painting your nails black and adding animal print on an accent nail or two.
Burnt Orange Nails with Flowers
Burnt orange is like the poster child of fall colors, and these nails are here to show you why. Topped with delicate flowers, they’re simple yet cute, and definitely autumnal. You only need a dotting tool to dab on the flowers for that hand-painted, artisan look.
Black and Gold Color Combo
Nothing screams luxury like black and gold, right? This combo is sleek, sophisticated, and totally fall-fabulous. Apply a matte black base and get those golden details on with a nail stamping kit for that extra touch of glam.
Long Square Plum Nails
Plum, please! These square nails are all about that deep, rich fall vibe. A plum shade of nail polish and a glossy top coat were made for each other. Achieve this beautiful look with a couple of layers of your favorite plum shade gel polish and your favorite topcoat.
Short Fall-Themed Skittle Nails
Fall in every finger, literally. With each nail donning a different autumn shade, it’s like a harvest festival at your fingertips. The matte finish gives it a modern edge. This would work on long as well as short nails. Have fun picking out the colors.
Autumn Chrome Nails
These autumn chrome nails are all about that mirror finish. The rose gold color is a great choice for autumn, and turning it metallic just takes it to the next level. The chrome effect is achieved with a special powder rubbed onto a gel base, and it’s just the most fun thing to apply!
Black Abstract Nail Art
For those who love a good mystery, these black abstract nails are your jam. With this set, abstract patterns meet Halloween night. To get this simple abstract look, let your imagination run wild and create some sharp edges/lines, as well as a little spontaneous speckled pattern.
Muted Tones and Contrast
Sometimes, it’s all about that understated elegance, right? These nails blend muted tones with a bold contrast nail for a look that’s not too complicated yet it speaks volumes. The perfect accessory for those chunky knit sweaters and scarves.
Glossy Black with Glitter Accent
Classic black gets a glitter upgrade! These glossy black nails are sleek, seductive, and just a tad mysterious. But it’s that glitter accent nail that really turns heads, adding a pop of pizzazz and party to an otherwise a simple look. For that glitzy nail, either dip into your glitter dip pot or layer glittery gel polish, then seal it with a topcoat for lasting sparkle.
Nude and Brown Color Combo
Nude and brown are the comfort food of nail colors—soothing, warm, and always a good idea. This color combo is versatile and flattering on all skin tones. Pair it with a glossy topcoat on almond-shaped nails to enhance the warmth of these delicious shades.
Enjoyed this? Here’s more:
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