As the last wisps of summer’s warmth dissipate, we find ourselves eagerly anticipating the cozy comforts and vibrant hues that autumn brings. The crunch of leaves beneath our feet, the softness of a favorite sweater, and the rich aromas wafting from steaming mugs are just a few of the delightful sensations that make this season so endearing. And, of course, who can resist the allure of pumpkin-flavored treats at every turn?
As we trade in our bright summer nail colors for moodier, richer shades, it’s time to indulge in the dramatic and alluring world of fall nail art. Darker tones of brown, green, purple, and red are set to take center stage, with September 23rd serving as the unofficial threshold marking the end of summer’s reign. Our curated list promises to inspire a plethora of chic and captivating nail design ideas, so sit back, relax, and get ready to fall in love with the season all over again.
Dark Background + Colorful Leaves
As the warmer months draw to a close, this vibrant nail art design has us eagerly anticipating the return of sunshine and longer days. The bright colors and playful pattern evoke a sense of carefree joy, making it the perfect way to bid farewell to summer’s fleeting warmth.
Glitter Gradient Design
Transforming a mundane nude base into a showstopping creation, one can achieve a mesmerizing gradient effect by incorporating a touch of sparkle. In this instance, the key player is SinfulColors’ ‘Pumpkin Spice’, a glitter polish that bears a striking resemblance to China Glaze’s ‘Electrify’. The end result is a far cry from the original understated hue, now boasting an captivating ombre effect that’s sure to turn heads.
Copper Glitter Design
The author, @polishedtwins, opted for a trifecta of nail polish products to achieve their desired look. Specifically, they utilized SinfulColors’ ‘Black on Black’, Julep’s ‘Jane’, and Sally Hansen’s ‘Invisible’ formulations.
Glitter & Leaves
As the seasons change, it’s time to bid farewell to those vibrant summer colors. To achieve this look, I utilized a combination of nail polishes – Picture Polish’s ‘Malt Teaser’ and China Glaze’s ‘I’m not Lion’. For added depth, I opted for acrylic paint in shades reminiscent of leaves.
Gradient Nail Design
Using a neutral base color, Loaded Lacquer’s ‘No Shirt’ provides a perfect canvas for the creative process to unfold. A dash of artistic flair was added through acrylic paint, which was then sealed with Seche Vite’s renowned dry fast top coat. The crowning glory is the gradient effect, carefully crafted using China Glaze’s ‘Golden Enchantment’, bringing the entire design together in harmony.
Pumpkin Accent Nail
For a unique and seasonal manicure, start by applying one thin layer of China Glaze’s ‘Zombie Zest’ polish. Once dry, use acrylic paints to create a pumpkin design on the accent nail, adding a personal touch to this autumn-inspired look.
Acorn Nail Design
Colorful Leaves + White Background
For a unique leaf-inspired design, consider combining a nail art brush with acrylic paint to achieve realistic-looking foliage. As the foundation of your design, apply a base coat of Essie’s ‘Sand Tropez’ polish. Once dry, add texture and dimension with OPI’s matte top coat to complete the look.
Sunflower Nail Design
Sequins + Fall Tree
When it comes to creating a stunning fall nail design, look no further than combining the perfect base with a striking accent. Start by pairing a sparkly, shimmery base coat with an autumn-inspired tree design for a look that’s both bold and beautiful. For this particular design, we’re using Essie’s ‘Hors d’Oeuvres’ as our base polish, its subtle sheen providing the perfect canvas for our artistic flourish.
Fall Nail Tips
Before picking up your nail tools, it’s essential to hone your skills by practicing basic leaf shapes on a piece of paper. This exercise will help you develop muscle memory and get comfortable with the motions required for more complex designs.
Brown & Copper Glitter Design
At the heart of this creative endeavor lies a trifecta of beauty products: SinfulColors’ ‘Leather Loose’, a rich brown base polish, served as the foundation for the masterpiece. The crowning glory, however, was achieved by layering Glitter Lambs’ ‘Pumpkin Bread’ atop the deep brown hue, imbuing the overall effect with a warm, golden glow.
A subtle yet striking flourish was added to the ring finger with the use of Glitter Lambs’ ‘Pumpkin Spice’, further enhancing the autumnal charm of this unique nail art design.
Colorful Leaves
Ready to make a statement? Take a chance on an edgy nail shape and bold design, perfect for those who like to express themselves with flair.
Sequins + Bright Leaves
Burgundy & Copper Design
The allure of a touch of copper is timeless. To achieve this look, we’ve turned to Julep’s expertly crafted nail polishes – specifically their ‘Jane’, ‘DeAnna’, and ‘Logan’ shades.
Fall Branches
One of the most effective ways to elevate your fall makeup look is by starting with a great nude base. This subtle yet versatile foundation color creates a flawless canvas for your autumn-inspired designs, allowing you to build upon it with confidence.
Falling Acorns
Get ready to fall head over heels for this autumnal acorn design! For those who want to channel their inner cozy, this look is sure to put you in the perfect mood. The beauty of it lies in its simplicity – all it takes is a nail art brush and some acrylic paints to bring this stunning design to life. In case you’re curious, I used Love & Beauty’s ‘Beige’ polish paired with Mentality’s ‘Matte Top Coat’ to achieve this lovely look.
Red & Yellow Leaves
The allure of dark, vampy manicures can’t be overstated, particularly as the seasons transition into autumn’s cozy grasp.
Burgundy Matte Nails
For many nail art enthusiasts, the cooler months of autumn provide an opportunity to explore new techniques and trends. One popular approach is to incorporate matte finishes into their designs. In recent years, products like Essie’s ‘Set in Stones’, ‘Swing Velvet’, and a quality matte topcoat have been staples for those looking to add some edgy charm to their nail art creations.
Matte Copper Leaves
Ombre Nail Design
To achieve the trendy ombre effect, you’ll need a few simple tools at hand. First, grab a sponge and get it ready by wetting it thoroughly. Next, paint three distinct stripes of nail polish – think red, orange, and yellow – onto the sponge. Once you have your colorful canvas in place, apply a base coat to protect your nails. Then, carefully place the sponge on each nail for about 15 seconds, allowing the polish to seep into the ridges.
Repeat this process for all of your nails, making sure to let each one dry slightly before moving on to the next. Finally, seal in your ombre masterpiece with a layer of top coat and you’re good to go!
Fall Flowers
Indulge your love for florals by putting this creative idea into practice!
Dark Red Nails + Gold Glitter
Gold Leaves
Looking for a unique and stylish nail art design? Look no further! The tutorial below will walk you through the steps to achieve this eye-catching look, just like @jauntyjuli did.
Dark Matte Nail Design
Fall Branches + Sequins
As the seasons transition to autumn, a refreshing and vibrant fall nail design can be achieved by combining the warm tones of gold with the rich hues of colorful leaves. To create this look, use China Glaze’s ‘Stellar’ gold glitter polish as the focal point.
Sparkly Fall Nails
Fall Tree Accent Nail
Dark Purple & Gold Design
For this nail art design, I utilized two high-quality products that are renowned for their vibrant colors and smooth application. Specifically, I employed the Majesty by Barry M and Perfect Plum from Sally Hansen. These trusted brands delivered exceptional results, enabling me to achieve a stunning finish.
Fall Landscape
Meet the seemingly complex yet effortlessly achievable nail art design by @ruthsnailart, which is sure to deceive with its intricate appearance. Despite its elaborate look, this beauty is surprisingly straightforward to recreate, making it an ideal choice for those new to nail art or seeking a quick and impressive finish.
Orange, Green & Yellow Leaves
Starting your nail art journey can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry, there’s an easy trick to get you going. For beginners, using a toothpick is a great way to achieve leaf-like details without needing any special tools or expertise. Simply dip the tip of the toothpick in polish and dot it onto your nail design for a realistic and textured look.
Cute Fall Design
Fall Gradient Nails
Nude Nails + Leaves
The subtle addition of colorful leaves instantly elevates the entire nail art design, transforming what would have been a straightforward nude manicure into a stunning visual statement. The interplay between the neutral base and the vibrant foliage creates a delightful contrast that’s sure to turn heads.
Sparkly Fall Nail Tips
This captivating fall-inspired design is effortlessly versatile, pairing well with an array of ensembles. To achieve this look, combine OPI’s ‘Are you Callin’ Me a Lyre?’ as the base color, Julep’s ‘Love’ for the glitter gradient effect, and top it off with Seche Vite. Add the finishing touches by delicately painting leaves using a detail brush.
