Cozy sweater. Pumpkin spice in your cup. A Gilmore Girls or Wednesday marathon playing. Sounds like the perfect fall day, doesn’t it? But wait! Something’s missing: fall nails to match.
Fall is a season of transformation; the leaves are changing, animals are prepping for a long winter, and the temperature is shifting from warm and hazy to cool and dusky. Your routines have changed, and that probably applies to your nails too. So if you’re in the mood to change up your nail art for fall and beyond, we’ve got your back.
Below, get inspired for your next salon visit or DIY mani session thanks to these super-talented artists and their stunning fall nails designs, from adorable cottagecore creatures and goth cowgirls to molten gold chrome tips and an ode to Beetlejuice.
1. Colorful Patchwork
Can’t decide on one design? Pack in a few different patterns with a patchwork style like this set by Minneapolis-based nail artist Kaitlin Hughes. Two accent nails on each hand are home to a variety of colorful patterns, including stripes, freehand dots, and stripes.
2. Maximalist Magic
This set has everything: animal print! French tips! Oversized cherries! Rhinestones! If you want something unapologetically glamorous and maximalist, take a cue from manicurist Patty Perez’s fabulous design and be bold.
3. ‘70s Vibes
Start with a very autumnal color palette of rust orange, mustard yellow, and brown and channel the ‘70s with bold, graphic shapes and flowers. It’s basically like wearing the coolest vintage dress on your nails.
4. Mermaid Magic
Don’t say goodbye to summer just yet! This seashell-inspired set by nail artist Rachel Messick is the best way to bridge the gap between summer and fall. Ariel would definitely approve of the touches of gold and pearls, and we love the delicate seaglass-style design on the pinky nails too.
5. Seasonal Set
Bring a little bit of nature to your nails. This whimsical set by nail artist Emilia Rose features the cutest hand-painted mushrooms and pumpkins atop a sheer neutral base, combined with a pretty mauve rose shade on the rest of the nails.
Butterfly Babe
The color palette of this set by nail artist Sonia Sanchez is luxurious and perfect for the season, with rich burgundies, warm gold, and a pop of light aqua, a surprisingly fresh shade for the season. The detailed monarch wing nails take accent nails to the next level.
Cocoa Cat Eye
The cat eye trend is so mesmerizing, don’t blame us if you get distracted staring at your nails all day! This set in a rich, prismatic chocolate brown feels both cozy and cool for the season.
Graphic Black and White
If warm tones aren’t your thing, opt for the classic combo of black and white and incorporate different designs on each nail, like this ‘90s-inspired set from nail artist Abby Lara.
Sweet Neutrals
Bows, tortoiseshell, starbursts, and sparkles, all in a sweet and subtle neutral color palette. Perfect fall manicure = check!
Sunflower Fields
Sunflowers are in bloom in your yard and on your nails! French tips get a burst of bright yellow energy with a floral design painted over the top. It’s basically impossible not to feel cheerful when looking at these.
Feelin’ Blue
Adding an unexpected accent color to your nail art—in this case, bright cobalt blue—makes your design stand out even more. We love this combo of blue, pale pink, and a greenish gold, plus the cheeky, cheerful designs.