Right now, you might still be salvaging the last of your summer nail polish, draining the final dregs at the bottom of your bottle of borderline-white pale pink or Bikini So Teeny. But for your next DIY manicure, you're definitely thinking something more seasonal...
Given that it's already September, we've started to tap into those autumn nail-polish trends — and luckily, the colours coming into focus are fresher than ever. According to the pros, we'll be seeing new takes on neutrals like sweet cider, tortoiseshell, olive green, and slate grey, plus rich red wine and navy tones for those craving a darker mani-pedi.
Ahead, all the autumn polishes to add to your collection ASAP.
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Classic Red
Selena Gomez recently wore a glossy, bright-red manicure to encourage her fans to vote in November's US presidential election. There's something undeniably powerful about the shade, which has long been favoured by suffragettes and politicians who wear it on their lips. With masks now in the equation, this red nail polish lets your hands do the talking.Apple Cider
Whether or not you're prepped and ready for the season of apple picking and pumpkin spice everything, you can't go wrong with a glossy red-tinged brown nail polish that pulls tonal inspiration straight from the orchard. This CND Shellac in Sweet Cider is a foolproof pick for a gel manicure anytime from now through Thanksgiving.
Red Wine
If you've already traded your Friday 6pm Aperol spritz for a glass of Merlot or Cabernet, your fingertips are prepped for a similar colour swap. "I'm predicting we'll see a lot of burgundy shades this fall," says celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik. "The new red-wine shade from OPI's Milan collection is a beautiful rich shade that's deep, but warmer than the classic Lincoln Park After Dark."
Silver Glitter
To complement the richness of burgundy, Bachik recommends grabbing a neutral glitter nail polish. "Glitter polish is great because it's versatile; it can be worn alone, over a base colour, or as part of a nail-art look," he says. We're partial to this metallic silver holographic tone Cienna Rose.
Olive Green
Editorial nail artist Betina Goldstein tells us that green nail polish makes for an unexpectedly chic manicure. "Earthy green tones are always in style," she says. This khaki olive from Essie's latest autumn collection, Heart of the Jungle, is our favourite of the bunch..
Tortoiseshell Brown
Last winter, dark chocolate brown was a big celebrity manicure trend (endorsed by Kendall Jenner). But this autumn, we'll see browns lighten up a bit for a warmer hue, the perfect complement to the tortoiseshell frames on your blue-light glasses.
Slate Grey
The sweet spot between black and white, a slate grey polish is the go-to for when you can't decide on a colour. A moody, smoky, cool grey — both soft and edgy — pairs well with every autumn outfit.
Glossy Navy
When you're looking for something fashion-forward, you can't go wrong with a fresh navy blue. Since your favourite bottle has likely been benched for months (and may have dried out), we'd recommend ordering this, which is the ideal combo of dark blue with glassy shine.
Dusty Rose
When you want a pink that's not a sheer blush or neon, go with a sophisticated mauve rose.