Fall is around the corner and for pedicure enthusiasts, that can only mean one thing: brand new shades to try out. We’ve swapped our opened-toed shoes and neon shades for our favorite ankle boots and fall nail polish colors. Sure, our toes are going to be tucked away in fuzzy socks and slippers, but we know they’re there looking all autumnally painted and cute — and that’s all that matters.
We’re dipping our toes (quite literally) into opulent reds, moody greens, and rich browns to gear us up for cozy season. Come the new season, many of us instantly think of deep hues so it’s easy to forget about beautiful transitional shades available, too. Rest assured, we’ve got hues that are ideal for the non-committal types not ready to accept the cooler months, as well as those diving head first into fall and winter.
As we enter the cooler months, hand and nail care is more important than ever if you want to prolong your manicure and keep your hands free from unwanted irritation and dryness. If you find your hands are in need of some serious TLC, give nail slugging a try. With the same premise as skin slugging, nail slugging consists of applying an oil followed by a thicker moisturizer or balm to lock in hydration. Keeping your cuticles happy will make your manicure last longer and look great.
We’ve asked the nail pros to share which nail polish shades they’re excited to use this fall and the hues their clients are requesting for the upcoming season. When the nail polish shades are this good, it’s hard not to love fall and, dare we say, forget all about summer.
Meet the experts:
Dark cherry
England-based nail artist Mutsa M says that deep reds are a staple for fall, made even more covetable this year thanks to the quiet luxury trend. “It’s neutral enough that it will work with most fall color palettes and is slightly more unique than your typical black or burgundy shades,” she explains. Mooncat’s From The Ashes and Nailberry Noirberry are both rich options you can use to get the look on your toes. For a glittering finish (we all deserve a little sparkle), we can’t get enough of OPI’s Black Cherry Chutney, which contains tiny iridescent flecks.
Creamy caramel
One of the best things about the cooler season (aside from the crunchy leaves) is how indulgent it can be. That’s why creamy caramels are at the top of England-based nail artist Alex Philamond’s pedicure list this season. “Gingerbread and caramel tones provide soft and subtle alternatives to bold chocolate browns, just like that trusty camel coat you’ll be pulling out of your wardrobe come October,” he says. To try the trend yourself, opt for Essie’s Expressie Polish in Cold Brew Crew, a fawn brown, and OPI’s Chocolate Moose, which is slightly redder. These polishes can also act as a great base under toe nail art, which is making a big comeback, by the way.
Peacock teal
Inspired by the Fall/Winter ‘23 runway, peacock-inspired shades like teal are at the top of Mutsa’s autumnal pedicure list. “It’s a great shade to match with the season’s latest threads,” she says. Often thought of as a rejuvenating color, we love the eye-catching teal hues Essie (Un)guilty Pleasures and Pacifica Plant Magic Polish in Mermaid Tail.
Vivid magenta
Pink has dominated the scene this year when it comes to color. (We have Barbie to thank for that.) This fall, however, we’re turning our attention to the equally fabulous magenta. “Magenta is darker and more muted than their more colorful and brighter summer counterparts, but still fun and complementary for a range of skin tones and undertones,” says New York City-based nail artist and brand founder Emily H. Rudman. For a more striking option, we love the Nail Inc Mindfulness Mantra and for something that’s a little more subdued, we’re all about Chanel’s Activiste shade.
Cool blues
Although blue tones were everywhere this spring and summer, we’re still not sick of them. Cool blues “help us ease into fall without completely getting rid of all the brightness from summer,” says Leslie Ayala, owner of Nail Witch Studios in Miami.