The end of summer means just one thing: we’re ready to shed our cocoons and transform into autumn-obsessed fiends. Give us the sweater weather, bonfires, colorful leaves, and the Halloween we’ve been waiting for! While it may be too hot still to start putting on layers, it’s never too early to plan your fall nail designs.
Neutrals and bold dark colors are fall nail staples and always a safe bet. There are also plenty of ways to get creative – we’re going to be seeing some vibrant, neon colors carried over from the summer, like lime green and pastel lilac.
Because no, your nails don’t have to match the leaves. Especially the one with the bug crawling all over it.
We’re also seeing some less conventional nail designs, like unique takes on French manis, color-blocking and negative space, and the ghost in our attic is really loving glittery accents.
You can try your hand at these fall nail designs at home with your own polish, or hit up for your favorite nail salon. And if some of the more intricate designs are intimidating, don’t discount using nail stickers!
25 Fall Nail Designs That Will Match Most Pumpkins
1. Autumn Ombré Fall Tips
This fall nail design has all the trends: seasonal colors from Essie’s new fall collection, an ombré effect, and negative space. The only thing that’s missing is the turkey! (He took a wrong turn three hours ago.)
2. Hand-Painted Mushroom Nails
Nail artist Cara hand painted these adorable cottagecore mushrooms, but you can replicate them with these handy nail stickers. Which ones let us hang out with the White Rabbit, again?
3. Halloween Nails
Get into spooky szn with these colorful collection from SpookyAfterSchool. Apparently the thumb was a little too spooky for Instagram.
4. Neutral Coffin Nails
If the colorful leaves are a little too much color for you, keep things nice and neutral with these pinky-brown nails.
5. Orange Coffin Nails
Take a leaf out BJ‘s book and pair glossy orange coffin nails with glittery leaf accents. It’s the only reason to rake leaves this season.
6. Lime Green Nails
Because winter is depressing enough, neon colors have decided to stick around a bit longer. This shade by Lisa Lacquer is called “I Need a Margarita,” and that’s a statement we can get behind all four seasons of the year. Or five, if you count awards.
7. Burnt Orange Press-On Fall Nails
Burnt orange will always be the reigning queen of fall colors, and these press-on nails by Paigesbeauti make it so simple to get the look. Way more practical than using a burnt orange. But they don’t semll
8. Sage Green Tortoiseshell Fall Nails
We’re not sure which is more work: hand-painting these tortoiseshell nails or taking care of a real tortoise. Either way, we we love them! The nails, not the tortoises. We prefer iguanas.
9. Fall Sweater Nail Design
Who wore it better: these fall nails or Arthur?
10. Neutral French Tips
This neutral ombré French mani looks so good, we just want to gobble it up! Turns out they don’t taste like Pecan Pie.
11. Golden Yellow and White Sparkle Nails
This bright fall nail design by EveMeetsNails is for all of you who love using the glittery star emoji. It’s our favorite right after the facepalm.
12. Simple Black Lines
If you want to recreate this geometric look by ClawsByLyss, just grab a nail pen (or a toothpick) and a ruler, unless you’ve got the hands of a surgeon. And a break from surgery.
13. Orange Flames
Flames have been a hot trend in the past year. If you’re not ready to commit to a car paint job yet, try them out on your nails first. And then try them out on your friend’s car.
14. Matte Black Fall Nails
Nail designer Dayonara knows the way to our black heart. And it’s through – surprise! – black nails. And coffee. We bet you can guess how we like it. With cream!
15. Lavender Ombre Nails
This softer side of fall nail trends is giving us major forest fairy vibes. Their next rager is on Saturday. Bring biodegradable glitter!
16. Green Stoneware Fall Nails
Canishiea J. Sams created this ceramic stoneware nail design that’s perfect for cozy autumn cooking. Next up – Instant Pot nails!
17. Candy Corn Tips
Nail artist Zareez Muñiz says deconstructed sunset, we say candy corn. We like to look at things with candy-coated lenses. Pretty, but so sticky.
18. Short Lilac Nails
Sometimes less is more, especially when it means you can reach into your purse without puncturing a water bottle. Pair those short nails with one of the hottest shades of the fall season.
19. Brown and Black Fall Nails
Not that we ever follow the rules, but combining brown and black for this design shows that rules are definitely meant to be broken. We’ve been wearing white after Labor Day for a while now and have only been cursed once!
20. Scream-Themed Nails
Wë Nails wants to know – what’s your favorite scary movie? The Wizard of Oz was not the correct answer, in case you’re wondering.
21. Spiderweb Fall Nail Design
Nail artist Diana uses WrapArtist Nails spider decals to create this look. Just don’t forget about them and freak yourself out when you catch them out of the corner of your eye. Not that this super specific example has happened to us. Twice.
22. Fall Colored Geometric French Tips
This creative take on French tips have the perfect amount of fall flair. If that fails, just try dipping them directly in pumpkin spice.
23. Crescent Moon Tips
Free hand nail artist Joely Ocean will have astrology lovers drooling over this celestial design. We promise that’s what the wet spot on our pants is from.
24. Lime Green and Black Stiletto Fall Nails
Lime green and glitter are set to be fall trends, and of course black is always in style. This design by Essence Nails is a mashup of them all, making them the most fitting for the Monster Mash.
25. Orange Butterfly Nails
This design by Amy Le takes classic fall colors and adds a dash of the butterfly trend. They’re back for hair clips, too, but the jury is still out on butterfly back tattoos.
Ashley is a Nashville unicorn (born, raised, and based), queer, vegan, and dedicated to leaving a positive impact through her life, work, and her website, Wild Hearted.
When she's not writing, she's traveling, reading a book, trying not to kill her houseplants, worshiping her dog, or having an existential crisis. Follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter, and LinkedIn
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Fun and creative, yay!