With the changing of the seasons, we all lazily transition out of these sun-kissed days of summer into the more somber, layered hues of autumn, and it is time to move beyond the pumpkin spice. The season is full of innovative, warm, and even cool nail designs, which I have been keeping to myself until now. If you are a short-square devotee or almond-shaped glam is your lifeblood, then you are about to screenshot your next salon request. What are the best early fall manicures of 2025- gel, acrylic, French tips, and all?
Sage Green Meets Burnt Tangerine: A Bold-but-Earthy Duo
This deep sage green and a subtle orange accent nail have something earthy and yet luxurious about them. The almond shape makes it all feel modern and purposeful, and the slight gold leaf pattern on the tangerine nail gives it the amount of edge without shouting “hey, look at me.” This combination is like strolling in a farmer market in a giant knit sweater – with a matcha latte in hand. Soft, wearable, but undeniably stylish.
You will need a deep, lush green such as OPI Suzi – The First Lady of Nails combined with something like Essie Yes I Canyon to give the orange overtone. For the foil design, go for a water-based gold foil (I like the ones from Born Pretty) and seal everything in with a high-gloss topcoat.
I tend to place two layers of each color and allow them to dry out completely and then apply the foil with a silicone tool. The secret is to only put foil glue where you want the shimmer, less is more in this case. Seal it off with a no-wipe gel top coat and it will be salon-worthy.
I certainly am not used to this combination but honestly, after I tried it I could not take my eyes off my hands. It’s like fall foliage—but make it chic.
Chocolate Bloom: Florals That Whisper Fall
It is an offspring of soft, neutral and fun whimsicality. Consider cocoa, latte, and pumpkin hues all frolicking over your fingertips in a blend of brown, cream, and orange all with intricate floral designs that are hand pressed, not printed. The mini almond shape makes it soft and wearable with the rotating palette on each finger it almost has a vintage vibe, 70s scarf vibe.
I would recommend OPI Espresso Your Inner Self, Zoya Jacqueline, and Orly Orange You Jealous as the base ones. Micro florals can be painted with a fine nail brush- again no need to be perfect, a bit of irregularity is what makes it charming. Dotting tools help get that center just right.
You can either paint this freehand or use mini stamps if you’re short on time. I also prefer to combine matte and glossy finishes, it is always nice to do the floral ornaments in matte top coat and get a texture and a twist. Pro tip: Betina Goldstein, the celeb nail artist: “Contrast is what makes nail art dimensional-use it.” She’s right.
I own a variation of this, which I wore to a brunch with my friends in September, and I got more compliments than I expected. It is subtle, but the sort of design that leaves people with the question, wait, can I take a photo of your nails?
Wine-Stained Tips with Gilded Lining
This mani would be the signature cocktail of fall. The combination of nude-pink base and deep merlot tips with a thin stroke of gold makes it both royal and romantic. It is the raised French manicure of the person who wants drama on the details, not drama on the polish reapplication every week. And it goes so wonderfully with all the trench coats and velvet blazers.
I would suggest using a sheer pink color such as CND Shellac Negligee, and a rich burgundy such as Essie Wicked. Draw that border with liner brush dipped in metallic gold polish-OPI Glitzerland is good. Patience is everything with this one. One shaky hand and your whole vibe goes from Vogue to “oops.”
My favourite thing about this look is that it is wearable. I have experimented with this style in the past, however, I feel like the thin gold line is just costing me more money. It’s a “soft luxury” vibe without screaming for attention.
Velvety Taupe for Minimalist Girl Fall
There are times when fall is not about the pumpkin spice and leaves, but about getting grounded. This warm hug is a short, square, soft matte taupe nail. It’s quiet luxury, no extras needed. It is unabashedly laid back, like wearing your softest sweater and re-watching Youve Got Mail the fiftieth time.
There is no need to have several shades here, a soft creamy neutral will suffice, such as OPI Taupe-less Beach or Zoya Rue. Put a matte top coat like Essie Matte About You to get that velvet look. To make the matte pop even more, buff off the nail first to achieve a smooth surface.
This is one of my favorite looks to do when I am in an in-between mood. Not quite ready to be an artist, but still, you want to feel presentable. It is the nail equivalent of the grocery store lipstick.
Electric Pop: Early Fall Goes Graphic
And then there are days when you do not want muted. This yellow and powder blue combination has a really strong early September vibe, like the final hot afternoons of summer when the warm temperatures are giving you a hint that it is still there but the wind is telling you otherwise. The design is abstract, fluid, neither quite geometric nor quite random. Just bold, modern fun.
Use Jefa Lights Lacquer over the Yellow and the Blue Canoe by Olive and June on the soft sky color. Use a small brush and paint in the wave pattern with the tip of the brush then allow one stroke to dry then proceed with another stroke. The edges are easy to clean up with a brush and some acetone.
This one definitely takes patience, but it’s worth it. Particularly when you need something that will appear on a Zoom meeting or something that will simply make your iced chai a little bit cooler. Even my nail technician went, Oooh, this is fall on the West Coast.
Mixed Classics with Gold Flick: The Short Square Comeback
It has got an impossible balance to it, smooth white, glowing red, creamy pinks and abstract gold veining. They are all contained in a small square that is clean, strong, and slightly sentimental. It feels more like Parisian minimalism ran into an early autumn art student and had the most stylish lovechild. It is daring in a not-so-obvious-and-or-over-the-top kind of way and that is precisely why I adore it.
I prefer OPI Alpine Snow because it is a crisp white and OPI Big Apple Red because it has that glossy red punch. On the pinks, skip Zoya Dot with Essie Ballet Slippers. The abstract edge is provided by gold foil or metallic polish. Be judicious with your accents- this is where a steady hand makes the entire piece designer-worthy.
The trick is in the layout. Use varied colors purposefully—don’t overthink symmetry. The random-yet-coordinated color distribution is a bit of the magic here. I prefer to finish it off with a super shiny top coat to make it feel like I went to a gel-salon.
It is the mani of manis that is like a curated capsule collection of your nails. Clean lines, strong colors, and details just to keep it interesting. When I need something low maintenance and confident, this one goes on repeat.
Playful French with a Twist of Retro Pop
This one’s like if mod fashion and a pack of Sour Patch Kids had a baby—and somehow it’s still incredibly chic. Each nail has a clean French white tip, but what makes it pop are the humorous splashes of lime green, baby blue, and a small orange dot in the mix. It’s fun, unexpected, and surprisingly wearable, especially for early fall when you’re not quite ready to go full moody.
You’ll need a crisp white like OPI Funny Bunny, paired with Olive & June’s Energize (lime), Lights Lacquer’s Blue Grotto, and Essie’s Yes I Canyon for the pop of orange. The circles are done with a dotting tool and the clean curve is done with tape or a French guide.
When you are doing it at home, you can use a nude base and then block your French tip using sticker guides or a brush with a clear edge. When dry put your dots or color blocks, be patient and layers must cure. A matte top coat will actually be very effective here in case you need a soft-touch finish.
I am a sucker when it comes to French nails with a remix, and this one has so much personality. It is fabulous when you are in that mood of I want to have something fun but not loud. Low effort, high style.
Deep Wine Glam with Champagne Accent
Okay, let’s talk rich. This almond shaped pattern picks up the traditional wine-red polish and raises it with soft pink overtones highlighted with sparkling champagne glitter. It is evening-out-worthy, yet fits right into your coffee run in the morning. It is smooth and high-end but not seasonal in a corny manner. It whispers autumn elegance—and that whisper has depth.
That deep base can be achieved using Essie Bordeaux or Olive and June Obsessed. The bare foundation may be CND Shellac Romantique, and to complement the glitter edge, use a fine metallic champagne polish, my favorite is the Orly Champagne Slushie. A liner brush is needed here to give that swoop a shine.
That glitter curve only works with a steady hand or a great nail tech. But honestly, it’s worth the effort. With this manicure, I feel like I need to be drinking Syrah in Napa- even though I am only going to Target.
Whenever I put on wine shades, I recall how complementing they are on any skin tone. Insert the gold curve, and now it is conveying a message of “expensive candle store owner who vacations in Florence.” I’m here for it.
Emerald Cut: Modern Art Meets Moody Luxe
Square tips do not always receive the love they deserve- but this deep green and blush-colored masterpiece makes the case. The geometric swoops that create the sharp contrast between rich emerald and soft nude feel futuristic and seasonal. It brings me to the beginning of October, when leaves have not started to change but the light is already different. It’s graphic, clean, and unapologetically cool.
The deep green was Essie Off Tropic, and the blush is Butter London Mum s the Word. This is when the striping brushes will come in handy to cut through the sharp curves. To control of bleeding, use gls flash set between shapes.
This one feels super architectural. The type of design that turns heads but does not plead. It is like those manis that can be worn with a ribbed turtleneck and as good with a leather jacket.
Pro tip: do not be afraid of darker greens combined with nudes in fall. As nail artist Tom Bachik puts it, this season, the new neutrals are earth tones with a bold accent. I couldn’t agree more.
Sunset Sorbet Gradient
What would you say, however, to dainty gradient nails that carry your summer spirit way past fall with no breaks? It is a blend of warm orange to yellow fade that is similar to the final rays of a September sunset and bottling them up on your fingertips. Pint-sized, ball-shaped, and gently luminous–it is straightforward, but the reward is so pretty.
Apply OPI Marigolden Hour, mix in OPI Don t Tell a Sol and apply Zoya Creamy to the tips. To achieve an ombr in a smooth way, apply the gradient with a makeup sponge and seal it with a glossy top coat.
The key here is blending, blending, blending. And do not forget the base coat it will make everything slide and will not absorb the color into the nail. It can be easily DIYed at home, provided you have the patience, and looks especially nice with warm-toned knits, or gold jewelry.
I paired this outfit on one of those awkward in-between weeks where you want to wear a scarf in the morning but are sweating in the afternoon. It is almost a tip of the hat to summer that helps you transition to the more comfy season that is coming.
Mustard Blocks on Blush: Retro Revival Done Right
This minimalist, color-blocked almond design blends warm mustard yellow with a soft blush pink, and it’s absolutely giving “vintage fall fashion week in Milan.” Something about the audacity of that amber yellow with a soft nude is so gratifying, it kind of reminds me of donning a pair of over-sized sunglasses and drinking espresso at a sidewalk cafe, you know?
You need a creamy nude base, which Essie has a good one in Sheer Fantasy, and a pop of bold ochre, which Zoya has in Darcy. That geometric line can be nailed with a striping tape or French tip guide.
This one is best done with a detail brush and a little patience. I like to start with the nude base, wait till it is dry and then insert curved tip guides to block yellow. Use two coats, and seal it all with a high-gloss gel top coat.
It is one of those designs that attract attention without being an attention seeker. At Trader Joe, someone even stopped me and asked who did my nails. I smiled and said “Me.” The satisfaction? Immaculate.
Golden Hour Yellow: Bright, Bold, & Surprisingly Seasonal
Bright yellow for fall? Yep—and I’ll die on this hill. These glossy, rounded short nails practically radiate happiness. They are fresh, young and they add warmth to early fall in an expression that suggests, I am still following the sun, although it is behind the clouds. All you need sometimes is one pop color to feel brand new.
Here I can always count on Sun, Sea, and Sand in My Pants by OPI. It is a creamy non neon yellow that works with all skin tones and is not too on the nose. Before you put it on, buff that nail nice–yellow brings out every ridge when you miss that.
I wear this on days that I want to feel a pick-me-up to my mind. It goes with neutrals, especially browns, surprisingly well. Yellow is an underrated fall color, according to nail artist Julie Kandalec, who explained that it is a shade that picks up golden tones of fall fashion. I couldn’t agree more.
Gold-Tipped Royal: Luxe French With a Rhinestone Twist
We’ve officially entered rich girl autumn. It is a square-shaped mani done in classic white with thick gold French tips-oh, and there is one nude accent nail which is studded with a rhinestone gem. It is providing glam, confidence, and a touch of old money bling. There are no secrets with this one, you wear it like you wear your statement bag: purposefully.
You’ll need a brilliant white gel like Gelish Arctic Freeze, a foil gold polish like Ciaté Gold Digga, and a rhinestone embellishment kit (I like Swarovski crystals for max sparkle). Se施用flat brush gold tips and gel cure seul rhinestone.
Wear it when you wanna be fancy but still in class. I wore it to a fall wedding and complimented more than the bouquet of the bride. It’s that kind of energy.
Colorblocked Tips with an Artsy Twist
In case you prefer your manis as you do your outfits the intentioned yet eclectic kind, then this one is your type. The round shape in short with navy, peach, sage, and burnt orange looks whimsical yet restrained. The best part? All nails have their own vibe but they all blend. Think: gallery girl meets cozy prep.
For the palette, try Olive & June’s Geometry (navy), Essie’s On the Bright Cider (peachy coral), and OPI’s Stay Off the Lawn! (green). A triangle or diagonal cut-off would be striped with a clean striping brush and clean lines.
To be frank, this is the style I prefer when I need diversity, but not disorder. It’s elevated play. It is so satisfying to have all the fingers have a different little bit of personality.
Matte Heart Doodles for Cozy Season Feels
And to end on a sweet note- this matte multi-tone heart and polka dot print is just calling out fall picnic. The ideal early fall color scheme is sage green, terracotta, and cream, and the small hearts are just the right amount of whimsical without being too cutesy. The round shape is short and makes it easy to wear.
This gentle trio is achieved using Zoya Sage, OPI My Italian is a Little Rusty and Essie Marshmallow. On the matte, top it off with OPI Matte Top Coat. Hearts are easier than you would think using dotting tools or toothpicks.
It is what I had on the first cold Sunday of the year. I put on super thick flannel, lit a candle that smelled like apple cider and was totally on a Pinterest board. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
Elegant Neutrals with a Touch of Graphic Drama
The almond-shaped design is clean and modern with soft, glossy neutrals contrasted with big, vertical striping. The contrast is what I love about this set; it is about serenity and boldness. The creamy nude base feels calm and transitional, like those early fall days when you’re not ready to say goodbye to summer just yet. Next, you have these impeccably thin lines in deep burgundy, emerald, and gold that immediately give it a step up. It’s minimalist, sure, but never boring. The selection of vertical stripes makes the nails appear even longer, which makes them even more elegant. And it feels very 2025—graphic, intentional, and sleek.
To get this effect, I use a gel base in a soft blush or nude, and the one I love is the Put It In Neutral by OPI. For the lines, a detail brush is key. Try deep oxblood like “Malaga Wine” from OPI, a mossy green like “Stay Off The Lawn!!”, and a metallic gold striping tape or foil for that bit of shine. I love the matte top coat to take this look even more editorial, but it still looks great with a high-shine gel top to add some extra pop.
Begin by moulding into a rounded almond-shape-this shape lengthens the fingers and makes it more elegant. After applying your base, let it fully cure. Then you will outline your vertical accents with a small detail brush, or tie. Don’t overthink the spacing; asymmetry makes it more interesting. As celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein has been known to say, imperfection is charming, and this look is no exception.
This is what I wore to a September art show last year and it received way more compliments than my clothes. It’s that kind of manicure—quiet but impossible to ignore.
Sage Green & Botanical Whisper
Sage green is the new fall nail palette and honestly, I cannot complain. It’s soft, grounded, and just a little unexpected. The subtle creamy white base with a fern-like accent nail is what makes this set pop. It’s like a little nod to nature without screaming “I love plants.” When used with square short nails, it is clean, stylish, and versatile. It is a lighter version of traditional forest green yet remains grounded and earthy, which is perfect during that in-between time when summer is still hanging in the air.
The ideal foundation on this is a milky white gel such as OPI Funny Bunny, and a sage green such as This Isn t Greenland. For the leaf motif, if you’re DIY-ing, I recommend using a fine-tipped nail art pen or decal to get that soft detail without stress. Add a gel top coat to keep it looking bright, particularly sage colors, which tend to lose their brightness.
Provided you are attempting this at home, get your nails ready, cuticle work makes or breaks a minimal manicure. Green on most nails, two coats; and on the accent, two coats of white, cure, then paint or stick on your fern leaf. Stamping kits are a must according to nail artist Sarah Bland, when you are after a polished finish with the least amount of effort.
It is a palette that is as a walk in a park at the end of September a sunbeam through the changing leaves. It’s cozy, but still fresh. I used the same style on an engagement brunch I did last fall, and it looked so good with a chunky sweater and light denim.
Blue Ripple Energy
Cobalt blue is something that cannot be ignored, and in this design, it is entirely electrifying. The wavy, sea-inspired lines are loose and playful, as though it were the final blast of summer before the world begins turning russet. It is a bold look but without apology, and is nonetheless clean owing to the consistent almond shape and the negative space afforded by those bright waves. It’s like wearing movement on your hands.
To achieve this, I apply a gel polish in electric blue, which I recommend trying out on a brand called OPI, My Pal Joey, and a skinny liner brush to do the swirl. The ripple is brought to life by a white or pastel blue contrasting line. It is finished off with a glossy top coat to give that water inspired effect a glassy finish.
The swirls are made with a steady hand but not impossible. Use your base coat, add two coats of the bold blue and then use your detail brush to paint curved waves, base to tip in white or baby blue. It doesn’t need to be uniform. According to celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik, the best nail art is not symmetrical, it is expressive.
Whenever I put on blue in the early fall, I get the impression that I am clinging to the light a bit longer. It is ideal when you are not yet ready to leave poolside energy.
Unexpected Safari Glam
This is a self-assured elegance of deep green, zebra print and shimmering nude starbursts. It’s adventurous, but not costume-y. The zebra nail in particular, is a small wink to fashion week, it is playful, edged, editorialized. The beige base with the soft white star details is what makes it all come together, a touch that is almost celestial in nature, like early nights that close in quicker than we would like them to. It is an appearance to a person who likes to have a touch of edge without losing chic.
The base beige can be OPI’s “Samoan Sand,” and the hunter green is best achieved with “Stay Off the Lawn!!” or “Suzi – The First Lady of Nails.” The zebra stripes are done with a stamping kit, or white gel liner pen on black. The stars are another matter, dotting tools or nail stickers will make you clean.
Making this at home is sort of a layering project. Put on base coats, stack up your colors and wait a few minutes to dry or cure. Do the zebra in tape or stencils and do not hurry the stars, but give them room. Elle, the manicurist of Blake Lively, advises: Start with less stars than you think you need, and then add as you see fit.
I wore a similar look during NYFW (okay, from my couch—but still). When combined with a ribbed turtleneck and oversized gold hoops, it made me feel like I had my life together. You know that vibe?
Colorblocked & Confident
Colorblocking is an all-too-serious trend in nail art these days, but when the high-gloss gel is applied in warm-meets-cool hues, the effect becomes wearable art. This palette provides coral, navy, cream, and olive in a single breath, and the mixture is simply fulfilling. It is like some sort of kaleidoscope, but it does not feel chaotic. The playful palette is framed by the square shape and I adore how each finger has its time.
You will need OPI Mod About You to get that blush, Suzi Needs a Loch-Smith to get that coral, CIA = Color Is Awesome to get that navy, and This Isn t Greenland again to get that olive base. Alternate nails in the alternate colors or cut one nail diagonally to make it even more dramatic.
I prefer to use the colors in layers, with each layer cured in between. In the case of more daring diagonal forms, painter tape is your best friend, simply place it down, then polish over the top. The entire look will be brought out by a shiny finishing coat. If you’re feeling bold, try a matte top coat for that editorial edge.
I think this look is what you’d wear to brunch on a crisp September Sunday—coffee in one hand, confidence in the other. It’s punchy, modern, and endlessly remixable. Plus, it photographs like a dream.
Matte Blue Minimalism with a Twist
There is a magnetism to a matte finish- it immediately mutes a loud color and makes it feel grown-up. This nail style is on the side of that minimalism but with textural layers of soft blue, dusty teal and greige. The figures nearly resemble waves or stratified mountains and they add just the touch of softness to what could otherwise be considered bold. The general atmosphere is fresh, relaxed, and contemporary, which is ideal when one seeks a hint of creativity but is not into the glitz.
To achieve this style, I would recommend gel polish to have full pigment control and a long-lasting wear. Alpine Snow by OPI on the creamy base, Can t Find My Czechbook by OPI on that mid-blue, and I Am What I Amethyst by OPI on the dusty cool tone. The result is topped off with a nice matte top coat like Essie Matte About You. Slap down the layered curved lines with one layer and allow it to dry then overlay it on top of each other with medium detail brush.
In case you are doing this at home, pay attention to nail surface preparation. A matte finish tends to show imperfections, hence buffing and base coats are necessary. Use one color at a time and cover the arches on the one side of the nail to the other. Nail artist Park Eunkyung (aka Unistella) has often shared that “the secret to minimal nail art is clean execution,” and this look proves it.
I also wore this type of matte set to a gallery opening in early October with a big blazer and a set of loafers, something similar that made the whole look seem like there was purpose behind it. It’s minimalist beauty—but far from boring.
Playful Lime Meets Candy Pink
This one’s for the girl who isn’t quite done with summer—and honestly, who is? Lime green and bubblegum pink aren t exactly fall colors in the conventional sense, but they feel like that transition vibe we all crave in early September, when an almond shape and clean lines are involved. The alternating color scheme is so fun without over-designing. And that green French tip on the pink base? Chef’s kiss.
I’d recreate this using OPI’s “Green Come True” and “It’s a Girl!”—both are smooth and vibrant. To sculpt that clean curve, a gel French tip brush or even a clean-up brush with acetone can assist in shaping it out if you are doing it yourself. Apply a gel base and a top coat to make it glossy and lasting with varying temperatures.
It’s a quick set to pull off. Take the base pink and green alternating and cure and then come in with your French curve over the pink nail with the lime shade. When cleaning up the edges use the fine brush to get that professional finish. Nail pro to the stars Julie Kandalec swears she never says anything is a rule, but contrast is universal. That’s what gives this mani its bold charm.
Putting on this pink and green feels like I am clinging to iced matcha season. I actually had a variation of this when I went to a pumpkin patch last September and it somehow managed to go with my flannel as well as my iced latte.
Maple Leaves & Rhinestone Accents
This set is fall—full stop. The orange, red, and gold maple leaves motifs are practically brimming with autumn vitality. The rhinestone details? A little bit of glitz to remind you that nails can be celebratory without being too literal. This is my favorite look on a slightly longer, square shape–the leaves have room to shine without being too crowded.
You will need a clear gel base nude, a safe choice is Bubble Bath of OPI, transfer foil or detailed maple leaf decals in bright fall colors. The rhinestones may be glued using gel adhesive or resin and then top coated. This is a design of the type where one should invest in a good kit to make it look good throughout the season.
For application, go with two coats of sheer nude, apply the decals carefully (tweezers help!), then top each nail with rhinestones before curing under UV light. Nail teacher Tracey Lee advises to apply rhinestones in the areas where light falls naturally- it makes the appearance look better integrated.
This is what I would put on a cosy dinner party involving mulled wine and candles everywhere. It’s seasonal, yes—but still elegant and wearable, not costume-y.
Mocha & Feather Accent Simplicity
The brown nail is back in a big way, and this set is the reason why. The creamy mocha color is deep and not sickening- just like the first warm drink of the fall. The one accent nail, which has a soft feather pattern on a creamy background, is a soft artistic touch that talks, not screams. It’s short, squared, and super wearable.
This combination can be achieved using the OPI colors of Chocolate Moose and Do You Take Lei Away? as the mocha and base of the accent respectively. You can stamp the feather or hand-paint it or even use the feather as a decal in case you want that really precise finish. Just seal it all with a shiny top coat.
This is one of the simpler fall looks to attempt application-wise. Once the nails are prepped and the base color is applied, paint or adhere your feather to the white base and then seal with a strong and lasting gel top coat. As Miss Pop, a celebrity nail artist, has stated, the most effective statement nails are often the most understated and this set fits that description.
I have been wearing brown polish every fall over the past three years but just a little extra, like this feather, makes it look new and exciting without being trendy just to be trendy.
Honey & Caramel Side Stripe Duo
This is the manicure version of spiced chai and buttery croissants. The deep honeyed and caramel tones are the tone of all that is good in the early fall. The side stripe design is what makes this set even more striking, and again, it is just different enough to feel unique, but not too gimmicky. Plus, the short square shape is practical and chic.
Dupe: OPI Honey Ryder, OPI Espresso Your Inner Self. You need a striping brush to make that vertical division sharp and even. I tend to use both colors in halves and then clean up the line between the two colors before sealing with a gel top coat. You could even play with matte vs. glossy finishes on each side if you’re feeling extra creative.
How to apply it: do one nail at a time. With gel, cure half at a time and make a stripe in the middle with a cleanup brush. Top coat pours everything over it on to a shiny, glass like surface. As editorial manicurist Naomi Yasuda once told us, playing with placement is the key to keeping even classic colors fresh, and this look does just that.
I would style this with a camel coat and ankle boots, this is so branded of crispy leaves, hot beverages, and comfy weekends.
Monochrome Safari with a Jet-Set Edge
This appearance is contrast-y, in a manner that feels cool and confident. The high-fashion deep green and jet black are already a powerful combination, but the zebra accent makes it even better. I adore the fact that the pattern is so clear and clean, almost editorial in its bleakness. It’s giving early-fall-meets-runway-energy, without sacrificing wearability. It is practical in its short square form, but it is the color story that makes it pop.
To replicate, reach for OPI’s “Stay Off The Lawn!!” and “Black Onyx.” In the zebra pattern, I have applied hand-drawn gel liner pens and ready-made nail stickers, and both of them will work if you are comfortable. The key here is that high-gloss top coat. It gives it that liquid shine that even the dark colors feel luxe.
I normally apply the green and black nails and allow them to dry completely. Then I do the zebra nail using either a stamping kit or a fine-tip detail brush, in black over a white gel base. It’s oddly therapeutic. One of the most famous nail stylists, Mei Kawajiri, always says that black and white prints allow anyone to go crazy without color commitment, and now I completely understand.
I used a similar set at a networking event last October. The zebra nail started a discussion before I even said my name, and it is indeed a manicure that speaks on its own.
Golden Mustard & Garnet Leaf Motif
Had you asked me to distill fall and bottle it up into a nail design, this is what it would have been. All the mustard yellow to deep garnet is immediately warm, like sunset light during the golden hour and mulled wine on a palette. And that leafy accent? It’s pure magic. The small red garnet-like particles are glittering, yet not so much that one wonders, and the stem detail balances it. This one’s all about balance between cozy and sophisticated.
You will need the OPI mustard, which is called the Marigolden Hour, and garnet, which is called the We The Female. To do the leaf accent, you might apply nail decals, or you might create the design yourself with a fine detail brush and glitter-filled gel such as the holiday line, Let Scrooge. The bright colors would be necessary and would not fade without a gel base.
The application’s a little layered but worth it. Paint your base colors first. Starting on the accent nail, paint mustard yellow, and lightly outline the stem of your leaf, and then dot in your glittery leaves. Add a gel top coat for lasting shine. I think this look lives that beautifully gina Edwards once wrote, fall is when rich colors tell quiet stories and I think this look does just that.
I wore this palette to a Thanksgiving market last year and the cider was not the only one that had people looking. 🍁
