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As summer comes to a close and fall approaches, it’s time to bid our summer nail designs a very somber farewell. But as they say, when a door closes, another one opens, and the changing of the leaves brings with it the opportunity to dive into whatever rich reds, greens, and neutrals tickle our fancy. The best fall nail colors are the ones that complement your favorite cool-weather drinks and autumn activities, from apple-picking to carving pumpkins. And here at ELLE.com, getting foliage-themed nails is one of our favorite traditions of the season.
Our top picks for the best fall nail colors of 2024
J. Hannah Milk (Glacé Tint)
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Whether you gravitate toward minimalist nails or like to go all out and keep up with the latest nail trends, you’re bound to fall (no pun intended) in love with at least one of the autumnal hues on our shortlist. Ahead, check out the 12 best fall nail colors that should grace your fingertips with in the coming months.
There’s nothing like a juicy red, and this classic blue-red hue resembles an apple ripe for the picking. “Because I’m so pale, this polish stands out against my skin. However, I have no doubt it’d feel bold and fresh no matter the wearer’s skin tone. I typically go for a brighter shade of red in the warmer months, but when fall rolls around, I gravitate toward something like this. This rich color retains its vibrancy yet has more depth than other reds,” says ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer Carol Lee.
Fall is the perfect time to phase out your favorite summer red and indulge in deeper tones, like this deep burgundy from Chanel. This long-wear formula gives you salon-quality pigment and longevity, and the color shows up beautifully on all skin tones.
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If you’re on the hunt for something softer and a little more subtle, consider this sheer white polish. Aptly named Milk, this shade from J. Hannah acts like a watercolor, adding a milkiness to your natural nail color in one coat and building to a pearly white hue with two or more coats.
If you tend to stick to more minimal nails but are looking for a way to introduce some fall colors, this mauve shade from Hermes is the way to go.
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These Olive & June press-ons make it as easy as possible to get coffee-colored nails. Pop them on right out of the box, and they’ll stay put for up to a week—no glue required. “This brown color is a no-brainer for fall, and I’m excited to wear it with my trench coat and many beige cashmere sweaters,” shares Lee.
Add some sparkle to your fall manicure with Wrapped in Rubies from Essie. This glittering polish makes the classic Autumn red even better.
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Another option for a jewel-toned look is this purple lacquer from OPI. Since fall is the best season to bundle up on the couch and binge-watch the entire Twilight saga, it's only right to try a vampy manicure to match the vibe.
Take a forest green and add a drop of gray, and you’ll get this sophisticated green. While it’s a beauty all year round, Love You Very Matcha is a color that looks especially chic in the fall.
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A baby blue tone might seem a bit out of season, but this shade from Gucci begs to differ. With the rising fruit-themed beauty trends, this blueberry color makes a great transition shade from summer to autumn.
We've all seen the buzz about food-themed beauty trends, from Hailey Bieber's strawberry look to matcha everything. Latte beauty trends are next up on the list. This mocha chocolate brown is fitting, as it reminds us of all of our favorite warm drinks to keep us cozy this fall. So when you go to grab your coffee or hot cocoa, take a second to admire your matching brown manicure.
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Deep, sultry nail colors are having a moment this fall, and what's more fitting than a gorgeous black mani? The shade is super simple and chic and looks good on all nail shapes and lengths. Plus, the OPI lacquer formula offers a brilliant shine that will make this shade a fast favorite.
There isn't any time of the year that doesn't call for a nude polish. This neutral pink is classic for a reason. The JINsoon Nostalgia shade is an ultra-shiny, long-lasting lacquer that is beautiful on its own or as the base for a natural nail design.
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Why Trust Elle Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Tasha Nicole Smith and Carol Lee tested nail polishes themselves; they also searched the internet for top-rated nail polishes, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.
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Tasha Nicole Smith
Beauty Assistant
Tasha Nicole Smith is ELLE Magazine's beauty assistant. She loves all things hair, makeup, and skincare so you’ll find her talking about it here. She enjoys Marvel movies, a good pair of vintage heels, and lemon drop martinis and also shares a birthday with Beyoncé, which is her go to fun fact.
Carol Lee
Carol Lee is the Associate Beauty E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty and personal care. Before joining the team, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine and ran the beauty section at The Pioneer Woman. Carol received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University and was one of the first customers to visit Glossier’s flagship store in New York’s Soho neighborhood. Over the years, she’s tested countless makeup, hair, and skin care products, and written hundreds of articles covering the beauty space, from pieces about the trendiest launches to roundups of the best products on the market. As a Korean-American, she grew up in a sea of Korean makeup and skin care products and is a bona fide expert on the ever-expanding world of K-beauty, helping lead our coverage. Additionally, she’s also always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.