The Unexpected Nail Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Fall (2024)

As an adult, autumn sadly doesn’t mean new pencils and book bags. But thankfully, it does mean new fall beauty and fashion trends. One of the easiest ways to transition your beauty look to fit cooler temperatures is by swapping in new nail colors to match the season. This summer, we saw pastel nail colors, cherry jelly nails, and glass nails take center stage. For fall, expect deeper nail colors, like forest green and mustard yellow, to take hold.

To find the best nail trends for fall, we tapped manicurists Natalie Minerva and Molly Romah to get their expertise. According to them, this fall’s nail trends are refreshingly simple, relying more on bold colors than intricate designs. Keep reading for our favorite nail trends of the season.

Muted Metallics

Heavy metals will be the go-to this fall, and burnished nail polishes will be everywhere. “I think we will see a lot of metallic or pearl tones this fall,” Minerva says. Classic metallic shades like silver and gold will be popular, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box and opt for a pearlescent finish of your favorite color.

Burnt Sienna

To lean into the season, try this pumpkin spice latte-inspired shade. “This is such a rich fall color, and I love variations of brown on nails,” Minerva says. “It’s such a chic substitute for red or black.”

Forest Green

Though forest green is often thought of as a more wintery color, this fall, the shade brings depth to your manicure. “This is such a cool color for fall, especially on fairer skin,” Minerva says.

Simple Nail Art

Nail art will be on the back burner this fall. “I see a world where nail art tones down during the fall with simple shapes and bold colors,” Minerva says. “It’s more about two-toned looks and clean lines. Think geometric and simplicity, using even just black and white or nude and gold.”

Mustard Nails

While this summer was all about butter yellow, fall’s version is slightly deeper and more complex. Yes, according to Romah, mustard-colored nails will be all the rage. Mustard might not seem like the most wearable shade, but it pairs surprisingly well with this year’s fall fashion trends.

Aura Nails

Gain some aura points with this fun nail art trend. Aura nails are a subdued take on nail art. To try out this trend, pick a base coat and then pick an “aura” color, or a circle in the middle with soft edges. To achieve this look at home, there are many press-ons or nail stickers that mimic the same effect.