Yes, we’re still sweating through our evening commute (not complaining!) but we’re already thinking about autumn 2024 nail trends. Those rich hues are calling our name.

As soon as the weather starts to turn and we find ourselves craving soup recipes once more, we beauty enthusiasts are thinking about one thing: what nail colours and art we can add back into our rotation.

We’ve got old favourites like tortoiseshell patterns and classic reds recirculating , while new trends like OTT embellishments and dark blush fill our For You pages. So turn on Gilmore Girls and let’s get creative and cosy with some nail inspo. 

Classic red shades were everywhere at the autumn/winter 2024 fashion weeks, and we’re thrilled it’s back in the spotlight. The great thing about red? There are so many to choose from so you can tailor it exactly to your taste. You can go cherry red if you’re not ready to leave the vibrant shades of the summer behind or try a deep merlot red if you’re keen to embrace the richer autumnal hues. This is a trend you can try at home – all it requires is a nail polish shade. The difficulty is choosing just one. 

This is one of the best trends if you like to channel your creativity through nail art because it’s totally up to your interpretation. Essentially, it’s like any other accent nail art but the aim of the game is to make each accent teeny tiny. Like these evil eyes, which are almost undetectable (and that’s the fun of it). You can also tailor the art based on the season. Think: tiny hot chocolate mugs or pumpkins for autumn. If you want to flex your creativity, try using acrylic pens over the top of a base coat (this works best with gels as you have a hard base to draw on). You’ll be surprised how easy it is to work with these pens and how creative you’ll get. 

The aura trend, but make it autumnal. Dark blush, created by Jess Young, uses this diffused effect with a deep hue to give it that cosier feel. In this take on the trend, chrome is added to give dimension and a futuristic feel. You can try it at home using a make-up sponge to dab colour on in a circular shape, building up the pigment in the centre and diffusing it out. It’s not an easy trend to do at home, though, so you might be better heading to the salon for this one as they often use an airbrush to get this effect. 

When the weather starts getting cooler, the metallics come out to play. You can incorporate metallic nails however you like, but Mii Cosmetics pro nail ambassador Hayley McColm predicts that metallic micro French tips are set to be popular. “We’ve seen white and pastel trend this year; gold or silver (or both) will look great come autumn when we’re wearing darker colours and need and looking for an extra pop,” she explains. It’s a great one to try at home using Mii Cosmetic Colour Confidence Nail Polish in Hidden Treasure and Diamond Chip. 

You can never have enough rhinestones. Typically featuring a neutral base, often light pink, with lots of multicoloured rhinestones dazzling on each nail, they can vary in shape and size to give each nail a unique look. If you prefer a ‘more is more’ approach to your manicure, this is for you. You’ll need a steady hand and dozens of gems from a craft store (or Amazon) to give this one a go at home. 

This is one for people who don’t like to embrace those deeper shades and autumnal vibes (no judgment here, minimalists). If you like clean, simple nails with just a touch of colour, then BB nails are an ideal your-nails-but-better trend – just like BB cream for your skin. “We know nude nails have always been timeless, but natural, neutral and elevated nudes are going to get more popular this year and will definitely be trending this autumn/winter,” explains Leighton Denny MBE. It’s pared-back and sophisticated, which is perfect if you like to wear a polished manicure but don’t like anything too complex. Try Leighton Denny’s Starkers (potentially the best nail polish name ever).  

If you’re a BIAB (builder in a bottle) person, you might like to try BIAB marbling. It uses The Gel Bottle’s brilliant formula in complementary shades marbled together before being applied in a thick layer to the nails. The bulk is then filed down before a top coat is added to give that incredible shine. It’s a brilliant way to get the benefits of BIAB while also experimenting with nail art. 

Tortie nails were huge a few years ago and they’re coming back with a twist this time. “Tortoiseshell works on all nail lengths and shapes. It’s versatile and you can wear it either as one feature nail with dark, rich autumnal shades on your other nails or go for it on every nail,” McColm explains. We also love this trend as a French tip. It requires a number of shades and specific techniques, so we recommend visiting your local salon for this one. 

Forget going straight to black nails (which can sometimes feel a little harsh), McColm predicts deep navy is one to watch. While everyone can wear this, it’s a shade that looks particularly beautiful on short, square nails. It’s easy to try at home using shades like Chanel Fugueuse, Mii Cosmetics Scandi Navy and Barry M Aronia Berry. 

Images: Instagram / @jessyoungnails