As the leaves start to crisp and cozy layers come out of hiding, there’s one accessory we never forget to update: our nails. Fall 2025 is delivering new textures and daring colorations and whimsical details that are far beyond your basic pumpkin spice. But the number of inspo boards is overwhelming, so how on earth do you begin?
Whether you’re into minimal design, moody hues, or artsy florals, I’ve pulled together some of the most wearable (and wow-worthy) gel nail ideas to carry you through sweater weather in style. Ready to switch things up this season? Let’s find your new fall favorite.
Golden Maple Vibes
Fall shades are just so soothing–when they reflect that ideal golden-hour light, it is all the more soothing. The nail art is a combination of the rich fall colors painted on every finger: mustard yellow, scarlet red, burnt orange, and burgundy. The shiny texture gives the entire appearance the feel of something that is polished and deliberate. It feels like every nail took a small piece of a late October sunset, when you walk home with a hot latte in your hand.
To get that silky, glass-like shine and true pigment saturation, I’d reach for the OPI GelColor line—specifically “Marigolden Hour,” “A Kick in the Bud,” and “Yes My Condor Can Do!” I would topcoat each with a coat of CND Shellac Top Coat to seal it all in.
It is not as difficult to achieve this appearance at home as it may seem. The trick is in prepping your cuticles (I swear by the Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Remover), applying thin coats of each shade, and letting them cure fully under a UV lamp between layers. There you go, fall foliage palette right at your fingertips.
Last Thanksgiving, I wore something like this, and it automatically tied my whole outfit together- chunky sweater, gold rings, the whole deal. One girlfriend of mine referred to it as pumpkin spice in a bottle to the hands, and honestly? Nailed it.
Mocha Marble Mood
The nail design is the quiet luxury of earthy colours and this one is all about that velvety mocha swirl. The soft beige marbling that plays on a milk chocolate base makes this manicure feel earthy and sophisticated. It is warm, cozy and it goes well with your favorite oversized blazer or a trench on a cold afternoon.
The secret to this creamy marbling? I would suggest Beetles Gel Polish in such colors as Latte Love and Sweet Taupe. The swirl is done with a toothpick or detail brush loaded with Born Pretty Marble Ink and created to give it that hand-crafted, almost barista-like effect.
The best way I have found to replicate this design at home is to dot contrasting gel colors onto a wet base and swirl them a little before curing. It’s messy-chic and almost therapeutic. Even celebrity manicurist, Tom Bachik, has admitted that, in the case of marble, an imperfect line makes it seem more realistic and, to be honest, that is what I go by when I want to get creative with swirls.
My personal tip? This one should have your nails in an almond or oval shape. It offsets the gentleness of the design and lengthens the fingers so well. And these tones make any jewelry pop without being too hard.
Cherry Swirl Cocktail
This one’s bold, flirtatious, and undeniably luxe. Soft metallic swirl accents over deep cherry red gel produce an almost velvet-wine finish, as though your nails have just been in a moody jazz bar. It is the type of design that does not say autumn, it speaks it in a foreign language.
If I were going for this exact vibe, I’d use Gelish in “Queen of Hearts” as the base and then swirl in DND’s “Gold Dust” for that subtle shimmer. You need a good nail art brush here, you want those lines of metallic to be intentional yet natural.
Applying the swirl over a slightly cured base coat (not fully set) allows the shimmer to blend in naturally. Topcoat it in a medium-gloss to make it have that plush finish. Patience is the true MVP, in case you are DIYing it.
When I wore something similar to a friend’s fall wedding, I got more compliments than I did on my outfit. It’s dramatic, but not too loud. It dresses up your hands when you are wearing a hoodie. And that’s the magic, isn’t it?
Burnt Caramel Simplicity
Sometimes the most effective looks are the simplest. This deep caramel gel color is a perfect example of sophisticated minimalism- no patterns, no gradients, just a luxurious and shiny toffee color that wraps the nails in a way you would wrap your favorite cashmere sweater. It is on the days when you want your nails to feel fall without making a fuss.
I would prefer to use an Essie gel couture in spiced chai or OPI my Italian a little rusty. They provide that burnt sugar dimension without going over the top orange. Never leave out a gel topcoat that brings in the depth and the shine- CND Shellac XPRESS5 is the one.
It is an ideal first-time manicure when you are doing your own gels at home. Square-round your nails, push the cuticles back, use a bonding base coat, apply two thin layers of color. It takes less than 30 minutes to cure and seal.
What I love most? It’s timeless. It is a color that suits everyone regardless of your skin type and goes with anything denim to trench coats. It is a natural soft spot with a slight hint of character as I now use it as a transition between other, more dramatic nail moments.
Sunflower Pop & Animal Accent
And here’s where things get playful. The sunflower yellow gel nails shriek vibrancy, positivity, and some attitude. The standout? One accent nail featuring minimalist cheetah print it is surprising yet it actually makes complete sense. It’s like mixing late-summer sunshine with early-fall flair.
I would use Modelones in Lemon Juice to achieve that yellow glow and Makartt Nail Art Pens to do the cheetah detail. Start with a neutral nude base (think Beetles “Soft Tan”), then dot and swipe for that abstract feline finish.
The easiest thing is that it is easy to do. A dotting tool and a stable hand, and in under an hour, you have something that will be Insta-worthy. To add a little bit of contrast in texture, I would suggest ending with a matte top coat on the animal print.
This one is the type that I would wear during the time I am trying to make summer last a bit longer. It has that post-vacation vibe, even when your world is a pumpkin patch and a chai latte.
Coral Luxe Statement
It is a manicure that refreshes the fall palette. You may not think of coral gel polish as an autumn polish, but with a blush-colored accent nail stamped with the word LUXE and bits of gold foil, it becomes something special. It walks the line between playful and high-end. It is the balance of the bold color and the lack of embellishment that makes this not random.
To recreate the coral base, I’d go with OPI GelColor in “Coral-ing Your Spirit Animal”—it’s vibrant but muted enough for sweater weather. On the accent, a thin nail art brush and gold leaf flakes such as KADS Nail Foil Kit will give it that foiled couture look.
Lettering nails is easier than it looks. A dotting tool and alphabet stencil, plus a black nail art pen (I use Beetles Nail Art Liner), can create that clean graphic detail. Wait until the top coat is dry and then cover just one layer with a shiny top coat.
I have worn this vibe to a cozy girl brunch last year and it really lifted my attitude completely. It is a bit surprising, a bit editorial- it is Paris fashion week meets fall farmer market. Don’t underestimate the power of one small word.
Chestnut Petal Bloom
The design is essentially a cup of hot cocoa on a knit blanket. The scent is deep chestnut and cinnamon, which is grounded by light white florals, giving it a lighthearted touch. And that cream-colored accent nail? Totally the star of the show. It provides significant neutral-chic energy and ties the entire design together with micro-daisy dot work.
To paint the base, I prefer Essie Gel Couture in Of Corset to do the ivory and Zoya in Louise to do the deep brown. You can mix shades if needed to build dimension. A super-fine nail brush and dotting tool are essentials here-petals this tiny are all about patience.
In designing flower detailing, I use a tip of the brush like a stamp, not like a painter, according to the recommendations of nail artist Brittney Boyce. Game changer. Stamp, cure, dot again, cure- layers give everything some pop without being overdone.
This one reminds me of something you’d wear with a cozy cardigan and ankle boots. It has fall picnic, slow Sunday, journaling-by-the-window energy. Completely possible to do at home with a bit of practice and a steady hand.
Wine & Foil Elegance
There is nothing more fall than a glass of red, and this manicure captures that moment, in a bottle for the most wearable bottle. Most nails are coated in a luscious merlot gel polish that is rich and reflective, and a single accent nail has a sheer base with gold foil leaves pressed lightly into the tip. It is the type of style that makes you feel immediately put together.
To this precise deep wine hue OPI has the classic Malaga Wine. And I would recommend Born Pretty Gold Leaf and a clear pink base such as DND Soft Sheer on the foil accent. With the help of tweezers, the foil should be put in a position where it will be lit by the light.
A pro tip courtesy of celeb manicurist Julie Kandalec: foil will never look as good on top of cured gel, but on slightly tacky polish. It grips better and sits flatter. And top it off with a gloss top coat and call it complete.
I actually had a variation of this on at a holiday dinner once, and I will tell you, it made holding a wine glass feel like it was straight out of the movies. It is very easy and beautiful, and it is ideal for short nails that do not want to lose the drama.
Modern Garden Party
It is a love letter to contrast and color blocking. Mossy green, rich coral, and a subtle outline floral on soft blush, each nail has a little story to tell but they harmonize with each other. It’s quirky, artistic, and quietly bold. It makes fall seem like it has more life, a reminder that it does not have to be brown and burnt orange everywhere.
To blend the tones, use Olive & June WKF on the green, Beetles Gel in Tangerine Rush on the orange, and the Madam Glam Perfect Pink Builder on the floral background. Painting the tulip with a bit of that minimalist line, a fine art liner brush assists with that.
I prefer to begin with the floral nail, get the worst one over with. Cure that, and then proceed to solid color blocks on the rest. The diversity makes the application entertaining and not monotonous.
This one is just right when it is cold in the morning and warm by noon. It is the mani you will find yourself smiling and gazing at as you turn the pages of a book or watering your plants.
Matte Cable Knit Neutrals
Talk about texture goals. This brown, matte gel shade switches between brown tones of raised and wavy patterns akin to the comfort of your favorite thick sweater. It is an ultra-textural approach to fall nails, and it shows that neutrals do not need to be boring. And honestly? They’re straight-up wearable art.
To accomplish this, start Modelones in Cocoa Brown and Toffee Cream. The 3D texture is a viscous gel paint or even an acrylic paste applied with a silicone nail art tool. Cure after every wave layer to preserve depth.
This is not a typical DIY, but it can be done with time. My favorite way is to apply the wave lines with a dotting tool by lightly dragging it across the nail and then go back to add height. Be steady with the pressure and go slowly- it is all the comfy illusion.
It is like wearing a giant scarf, soothing immediately. I have previously tried this look on a rainy November weekend, and it transformed my Netflix-and-chill into an entire aesthetic.
Olive Dots with a Twist
The most dramatic effects can be done with the simplest patterns sometimes. This matte olive green ground is punctuated with deep cherry red spots – it is playful, unexpected, and somehow has a retro and modern feel. The dull overtone makes it not too fancy to look fashionable and to wear on a daily basis during fall.
I would use OPI GelColor Suzi – The First Lady of Nails to achieve that dull olive, and Bio Seaweed Gel Red Baroness to get the dots. You will also require a matte polish such as Essie Gel Couture Matte About You to remove the gloss and make it velvety soft.
Start with your olive base, cure completely, then use a fine-tipped dotting tool (or even a toothpick!) to apply evenly spaced red dots. Make them random and a bit different in size, so they have more of an organic look to them- sort of like confetti on an autumn scarf.
When I dressed up like that in a trench coat and chunky gold rings, I felt like a fashion editor on a casual coffee run. It’s a small detail, but it feels confident.
Matte Mix-and-Match Fall Palette
And this is one to please the daring color enthusiasts a matte finish rainbow of the most saturated shades of fall. Just think of deep navy, olive green, burnt plum, brick orange, and a hint of pumpkin neon. It is an exuberant, richly textured celebration of the whole gamut of autumn, done one fingertip at a time.
Experiment with colors such as Zoya Hunter, Sailor, Veronica and Thandie. For that last orange neon? ORLY Gel FX “Push the Limit” nails the tone. Finish off with a matte topcoat to give it that velvety softness that keeps every shade looking luxe.
No fancy design, just good preparation, a single colour on each nail, and the courage to use colour as the only voice. My cuticles are always crisp with peel-off guides on them so they are ready to take pictures.
This is my default when I need something different, yet still cohesive. It makes all its sweaters, rings, even coffee a little more curated.
Leopard Pop French
You know when animal print is different? This is reflected in this design, with its soft taupe nail being offset by the dramatic leopard spots, bordered by a bright orange French tip. The outcome is spicy, graphic and energetic the mani that will have everyone looking at brunch or the pumpkin patch.
Warm Neutral Beetles Gel should be started. Use black and brown gel paint to add paint spots and Kiara Sky Neon Orange to outline. When using animal prints, the difference is a liner brush and dotting tool to apply with control.
As celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri once stated, when it is too perfect, it no longer has the wildness. That is my way of doing the leopard print, I leave the spots a little bit mum and the orange frame sharp.
I have already tried this mani on girls night, and it has been an ice breaker. It is stylish without being over-the-top, a little bit edgy, but not too much to be worn in the fall.
Modern Mocha Grid
This design is grounded and graphic and plays with negative space and geometry in the most dreamiest way. The base color is a smooth taupe matte with a vertical and horizontal wine red striped pattern that gives a subtle yet dramatic grid effect. It feels modern, minimal, and very Pinterest-core.
To achieve this effect, apply Modelones brown sugar on the base and Beetles cranberry kiss on the lines. A striping brush is key — don’t freehand with a thick brush unless you’re aiming for abstract (which isn’t this look’s mood).
I do 2 coats of matte taupe, I cure, then I use striping tape or a guide to get that crisp line. Then apply the wine gel, remove the tape, cure again and top seal with a matte top coat.
This is a nail design that is so you, in case you love minimalist fashion and have a Pinterest board full of capsule wardrobes. I paired it with a dark turtleneck and sleek bun and I genuinely felt like I just came out of a fashion editorial.
Terracotta Blossom Tips
This is the golden hour of nail art with this floral design. Terracotta gel is applied to the edges of long square tips with three nails topped with hand painted orange flowers on a milky sheer base. The combination of warmth and softness makes it cozy, romantic, and bold at the same time.
OPI Spice Things Up is an orange shimmer over a jelly pink like CND Bare Chemise. Use a liner brush and orange detailing polish to apply the flowers and add brown stems and black centers to create the depth.
This one is a bit time consuming, but do not be scared of it. The flowers can be painted layer upon layer: the petals, the stems, and the accents. Seal each stage so they don’t smudge. Celebrity artist Elle Gerstein says clean up petal shapes with acetone dipped brushes–totally game changing.
It is the manicure that I would select to have on a fall wedding or even on a Thanksgiving dinner. Elegant, expressive, and just whimsical enough to feel special.
Retro Swirls with a Modern Edge
The design is more of a nostalgic bend towards fall but with a fresh and wearable side. Think 1970s earthy glam meets today’s playful minimalism. The soft olive and warm blush-pink colors are anchored in confident curves and sweeping color ribbons – all over short, rounded gel nails that give the look comfy and functional. The ripples of the lines across the nail bed and their movement is something super satisfying like little waves of fabric. It is soft but graphic, a combination that I can never get out of my head when the time to wear sweaters comes.
To recreate this at home or with your nail tech, you’ll want a strong gel base like the Bio Seaweed Gel Unity All-In-One in “Bare It All” as your neutral base. For the accents, OPI’s GelColor line works well — try “Olive For Green,” “I Quit My Day Job” (a punchy coral), and “A Clay In The Life” for those terracotta streaks. This is where a fine liner brush will be useful to give those curvy stripes. Take your time with the patterning, allowing each shade to dry a bit so there is no blending of mud.
The trick to this look is to layer the stripes darkest to lightest with the natural curve of the nail as your guide. Keep your hand steady (I balance my pinky on the edge of a table for control), and don’t stress about perfect symmetry — the charm is in the movement. Seal it all in with a plump gel top coat such as The GelBottle Inc Extreme Shine.
I did something like that last fall and everyone complimented me on it, baristas to colleagues. The color scheme is somehow aesthetic and friendly. It’s playful, but not loud. Precisely what I need when I put on my cardigans and wear my suede boots.
Olive & Chrome: The Luxe Neutral Combo
There’s a quiet sophistication in pairing subdued olive with the sharp gleam of rose gold chrome. This manicure is a combination of soft-matte shades and glossy effect the moody calm of an autumn dusk touched by the glam of a holiday party. This appearance is made delicate and deliberate with short almond-shaped nails that stop at the border of being overdone. It is ideal to those who prefer something classy yet unique, something that speaks in a low tone rather than screams.
The olive color can be replicated with Essie Gel Couture in “Gala-Vanting” or Zoya’s “Charli” if you’re after a more subdued sage vibe. The real magic here is the chrome. For the perfect rose gold mirror effect, I recommend Apres Gel-X Chrome Powders or Daily Charme’s Mirror Chrome in Rose Gold. Apply a no-wipe top coat underneath to give maximum reflection and ensure that you buff your base smooth prior to application.
To make the chrome accent nail perfect, apply a soft pink or nude gel base and cure it and then press the chrome powder in with an applicator sponge or even a silicone brush. Seal it with a top coat and cure again. The remainder is easy polishing — but here clean lines count everything.
I wore olive off and on over the years, but never considered it with chrome until I spotted an outfit like it at a Khaite pop-up in NYC. It totally flipped my idea of what “neutral” nails can be. Clean, dark, and slightly metallic in a way that is a little dramatic, but not too much drama for fall, particularly when you are not wearing any jewelry that day. The nails are the statement.
Graphic Red with Abstract Vibes
Nothing makes you feel more put together than a bold red and this abstract design makes it even cooler. The contrast between block color and the high-gloss abstract art, combined with the exact lines in black, white, and blue, makes this mani look modernist, almost like a small art object to wear. It has both organization and imagination, and the long square tips only add to the runway power. This one screams confidence — think: back-to-office energy meets “I booked that weekend trip” energy.
It is a design that requires precision, so when doing it yourself, prepare striping brushes and patience. Use Gelish’s Soak-Off Gel Polish in “Hot Rod Red,” “Arctic Freeze,” and “I’m Brighter Than You” for the clean pigment base. To get those clean, graphic lines, Kokoist Art Line series is amazing, they are not runny and they cure beautifully under a lamp.
You will want to apply the design over a nude or beige base to get red and blue to stand out. Block and paint it in base color block out red nails. Patterned ones, first outline with your best brush, easier to trace with a pencil on a nail sticker first, otherwise it can be hard to do alone.
One of my friends went to a gallery night in SoHo in something close to this and people actually stopped her to take photos of her. The clash between the thick red, and the organized cacophony of the linework? It’s creative power wrapped up in polish.
Powder Blue Simplicity
Soft blue is in the moment and it is not a spring carryover by any means, come fall 2025. This cloudy, creamy shade makes us think of the chilly mornings, the old denim jeans and the clouds through a plaid blanket. Short, curved nails in alternating sky and cornflower shades add the right amount of dimension without being fussy. It is also easy, clean and, unexpectedly, relaxing, like a deep breath after a long week.
Soft pop is what this look needs, and one-coat wonders such as Olive & June and Lights Lacquer will do the trick. Whenever I apply a nail polish, I suggest a soft builder gel underneath, especially on short styles, as that will break less easily, and Beetles Gel Base & Top Coat Set will provide you with a salon-hold without the hassle.
You can have this look in less than 30 minutes, honestly. It is the perfect Sunday night refresh hour- file your nails into soft squovals, add your base, switch two shades of blue, cure, and polish with top coat. Simple. Reward yourself with an oat milk latte.
There’s something almost nostalgic about it. It brings me back to the blue nail polish I wore in college, only this time it is mature, shinier, and combined with a fitted trench coat.
Two-Tone French with a Twist
Okay, this is the way to do French tips in 2025. Hot red and electric violet dual-color micro tips are combined with almond nails that attract the right amount of attention without taking over the entire stage. It is a new twist on the traditional French – high-end, deliberate, and extremely fall-forward. I am addicted to its clean appearance that does not deprive you of experimenting with bright colors.
To get these razor-sharp tips, I swear by Gel-X tips from Aprés Nails for shaping and Madam Glam’s “True Fire Red” and “Poisonous Pansy” (that shimmering purple!) for pigmentation. Use French nail guides or painter’s tape for that crisp edge, and flip the brush vertically when painting on the edge — that’s the trick for keeping the tip clean and narrow.
There’s no need to overthink it. The effect is successful because the foundation is so whisper-light pink, say OPI Bubble Bath, and the tips are so drama. It’s wearable, elevated fun. Just enough chaos to keep it from being prim.
I love adding some surprise color to tips when my sweaters begin to appear out of storage. Such French manicures are personal yet slightly subversive, such as a traditional trench and metallic boots. Just enough rule-breaking to feel fresh.
Chrome Olive Magic
If there’s one shade that’s been sneaking up the trend radar this fall, it’s chrome olive. All about that bold mirror-shine finish and a rich, metallic green that changes in the light, almost like the sheen of a freshly picked Granny Smith apple, but with serious attitude, this manicure is all about it. Long almond nails make it feel futuristic-glam, but the colour itself is very nature-friendly which honestly makes it even more wearable.
To nail this glow (pun very much intended), you’ll want a chrome gel base like Born Pretty’s Reflective Cat Eye Gel in “Olive Spark” or Beetles Gel Polish in “Chrome Green.” To increase the intensity, it is a good idea to begin with a dark green or black gel base. Apply a magnetic wand in case of a cat eye pigment on the polish, hold at an angle to give the effect of depth and then cure.
What I love most about this look? It wears like jewelry. No rings or accessories needed, the nails are the drama. And honestly, it feels like armor. You walk into a room, and your hands say: “Yes, I planned this.”
Minted Metallic Softness
The hue of this green is rather cooler – think of the foliage of a eucalyptus tree in moonlight. There’s a softness to this tone that I love for transitional weather: not quite summer, not yet winter. It is not so light-catching as glittery, but rather as light-catching as satin, which is a bit more subtle, but also more elevated. These are again almond-shaped and this maintains the profile elegant and light. It is sort of like your favorite cashmere sweater, but in nail form.
For the color, I’d reach for Zoya’s Professional Lacquer in “Elphie” or CND Shellac’s Mint Convertible layered over a pearlescent top coat. Before polishing, it is important to file the nails into that tapered almond shape, so as not to give it a chunky appearance with this color tone because it is most stunning when applied on a smooth surface.
Other manicurists suggest using a sponge to apply shimmer polish in full pigment I have done this and it does work, well, at least the shimmer is opaque, but this technique is definitely more effective if you have a sheerer shimmer gel. LED cure, seal it tight, and you have a mani that will make chilly fall mornings seem a little glamorous.
Falling Leaves & Velvet Reds
Could fall really feel complete without leaf-stamped nail art? I never say yes– and this design is the best to bring the outside in. Warm matte reds, comfy neutrals and airy maple leaves create the best seasonal statement. The nails all serve different functions: deep crimson, sandy beige, and transparent bases with artwork that resembles pressed foliage on your last nature walk. It’s festive but tasteful, playful but refined.
You will want to begin with matte gel tones such as Cirque Colors Red Hook and The GelBottle Petal. To do the leaf detail, seek out water nail decals or stamping plates, Moyra and Maniology make excellent ones. Top it with a matte gel top coat like OPI Matte Top Coat to keep the whole thing soft-focus.
When I dress in designs such as this, I promise you that it alters my entire mental state of mind, I begin to order more chai, take out my wool hats and romanticize otherwise mundane experiences. Isn’t that what fall’s all about?
Deep Garnet for Cozy Nights
Red is classic. But garnet? That’s timeless. This deep wine shade gives off that candlelight-and-chunky-blanket vibe, like you’re curled up in a knit cardigan planning your next fall picnic. The nails are almond-shaped, long enough to look elegant, but short enough to cope with everyday life. It has a richness that all fall manicures secretly covet. It’s quiet luxury in polish form.
To get this depth, I always recommend layering. Apply a red-base color, such as Essie Gel Couture in Spiked with Style and then top with a coat of ILNP in Central Station or Butter London in Afters to get that glossy effect. The top coat should be ultra-glossy. To achieve that glass effect, use Seche Vive Gel Effect.
This color has become my new favorite when it comes to fall dinner parties. It just has something so natural about it, almost like the type of shine that does not demand attention but still leaves people in awe each time you raise your glass.
Short & Sage: The New Fall Neutral
Green is always the color to wear when you are not sure what to wear, and this dusty sage is one of the most versatile colors to wear this fall 2025. It’s earthy, soothing, and way more interesting than beige. It is clean and practical with short, rounded square nails, which is why this manicure is suitable to be worn as a daily wear. I adore the way it looks with chunky knits, camel coats, and denim-on-denim even.
A creamy formula with good quality will be good here, no streaking allowed to mess up the softness of the look. Olive & June has an amazing WKF or DND Gel in Green Tea. Apply a ridge-filling base coat, in case your nails are uneven. And top coat, too, don’t leave that out, even plain jobs want a sealed-in gleam.
Sage has been my fall wildcard. It goes with more than you’d expect: burnt orange, espresso brown, even dusty lavender. It is casual enough to wear every day but unique enough to receive compliments.
Fall Meets Funhouse: Playful Mix & Match
Who says fall can’t be fun? The rulebook is thrown right out the window with this set of playful prints and color pops. The rainbow tips, graphic eyes, neon smileys, cow print, and deep purple: every nail has its own story. It’s giving childhood stickers, ’90s nostalgia, and a whole lot of “don’t take life too seriously.” And honestly? That’s the perfect antidote to autumn’s more muted palette.
This style demands a decent supply of gel polish shades: Beetles Gel Polish Neon Collection on the yellow and green, Kokoist Rainbow Gel to stripe the rainbow tip, and OPI Infinite Shine in Do You Lilac It? to give that deep purple exclamation point. Nail decals or stickers will save you so much time, find smiley face stickers, googly eye stickers and cow print stencils on Etsy or Deco Miami.
This one’s all about the details. Apply an even smooth foundation and apply a nail at a time. For the smiley and cow print, I recommend using a dotting tool and black gel paint (like from Modelones) for the best contrast. Coat it all over with a high-shine top coat, which really makes the cartoon thing pop.
A variation of this was worn by one of my best friends to a local fall fair and people literally stopped her in the street to compliment her whilst holding a cider donut. Such a vibe, and reminder that nails can be serious or just plain silly. This one especially in a season where we tend to be attempting to match our wardrobe, this one takes the liberty to simply play.
Olive & Apricot Minimalism
On the mellower side of things, this combination is reminiscent of a warm, late-October afternoon. The color scheme is grounded by a muted olive foundation with one apricot accent nail adding the perfect amount of warmth. It is not too boring, it is simple, yet it has balance, earthiness, and subtle chic. I refer to it as a soft statement manicure, the one that goes perfectly well with an oversized cardigan and a stroll through golden leaves.
With this manicure, I would choose Zoya in Joss, which is apricot and Sundays in No. 29, olive, both of which are gel and last at least two weeks with a great result. If you’re more of a DIYer, Essie Expressie’s “Precious Cargo” is a great quick-dry dupe. The secret is in that sunny middle that is not too lemony, not too olive-drab.
Here, the application is easy: short nails, squared-off but with edges softened a bit. Use two thin coats of each color and alternate fingers to make it more customized. I tend to alternate the accent nail according to my mood pointer, ring, or even thumb.
I used this palette all throughout early November last year and it felt like it went with everything I was pulling out of my closet, terracotta knits, army green utility jackets, even just a nude lip and sunglasses. It is an indication that even minimalism can be new, considered, and totally on-trend.
