Here They Are: 21 Dark Nail Colors We'll Be Wearing Exclusively This Fall
Whether you're a fall person or not, I think we can all agree that any new season (fall or not) is an exciting time to mix things up when it comes to things like your wardrobe and beauty routine. And I'm not saying you have to get completely new clothes and swap out all your makeup products for new ones—the cool thing about seasonal transitions is that tiny changes can make an impact, too.
That might mean buying a few new items of clothing or accessories to mix in with your tried-and-true basics. Or try out a new lipstick, eye shadow look, or even a new nail polish color. The latter is one of my favorite ways to change things up because it's pretty low-lift in terms of effort, and it can be a subtle change. Opting for a fall-inspired nail color instead of your usual at the salon is pretty easy, right? And it's a lot more temporary and effortless than trying out a new haircut or creating a dramatic eye-makeup look.
For me, fall is the best time to commit to some dark nail colors. The weather is cooler, the leaves are a pretty red, orange, and yellow, and everything feels cozier—all of this calls for some dramatic and deep hues. Am I wrong here? Take a look at some nail polish options below as inspiration for your next salon or at-home manicure.
Red
Red nail polish is a classic year-round, but it's a particularly good color to break out in the fall. Opt for more maroon shades of red to make it perfect for autumn.
1. Olive and June Nail Polish in SC
2. Ella + Mila Nail Polish in Wicked Red
3. Revlon Nail Polish in Vixen
Brown
Brown nails are the ultimate fall color. They're a deep neutral that works on everyone.
4. Base Coat Nail Polish in Capricorn
5. OPI Nail Lacquer in Cliffside Karoake
6. Essie Nail Lacquer in Seeing Stars
Green
Green is a more unexpected shade for fall, and that's why we love it. A deeper green is the perfect transitional shade for cooler temps.
7. OPI Nail Lacquer in Stay Off the Lawn!!
8. Jinsoon Nail Polish in Epidote
9. OPI Nail Lacquer in Things I've Seen In Aber-green
Blue
There's something about blue nail polish that's reminiscent of the first day of school and new beginnings—therefore, it's a great option for a fall nail color.
10. Olive and June Nail Polish in Social Studies
11. Smith Cult Nail Lacquer in Kings Thieves
12. Essie Nail Polish in Infinity Cool
Purple
A deep eggplant shade of purple imparts the perfect amount of mystery and elegance for cool fall nights.
13. Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Purple Haze
14. Auda.B Vegan Nail Polish in Royalty
15. Cirque Colors Nail Polish in Terroir
Black
Perfect for Halloween, early sunsets, and the first whisper of brisk air.
16. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Onyx-pected
17. Gucci Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish in Black Crystal
18. NCLA Nail Lacquer in Back to Black
Gray
Gray is a surprisingly versatile fall-ready shade.
19. Olive and June Nail Polish in Scattered Showers
20. Butter London Nail Lacquer in Earl Grey
21. OPI Nail Lacquer in Rub-a-Pub-Pub
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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