Few things are more pleasing to the eye than autumn. The sun drops to cast a gorgeous golden light over our surroundings, and the leaves change and fall to uncover warm, earthy hues.

As these changes call for a transition into autumn make-up looks and a weather-appropriate wardrobe, your nails might as well follow suit. And with a whole new colour palette of inspiration, autumn-approved nails could be the most exciting thing beauty offers this season.

To ensure you’re ahead of the curve on the hues to choose and the designs to look for, we’ve reached out to the experts who have their fingers on the pulse for the most coveted nail trends to keep on your radar.

Add these to your saved-for-later folder ahead of your next nail appointment. 

While A-list manicurist and certified trend-setter Harriet Westmoreland’s clients will opt for a broad spectrum of nail shades this season, one thing remains constant: the cooler undertone. The same applies to nudes. “No more pink nudes!” Westmoreland demands. “Keep it milky or peachy and super sheer.”

While overdue catch-ups after summer and the return to busy work schedules may leave you with less time for beauty, barely there nude serves as the perfect low-maintenance beauty hack. These shades will disguise any regrowth and chips to increase the time between appointments.

With the fun nail designs of summer behind us and glitzy manis on the Christmas horizon, nail artist Jaz Moger recognises autumn as the ideal time to keep things simple. “People will be loving the simplicity of wearing solo shades,” she says. 

Nothing says elegance like a classic French manicure, but swapping white tips for colours like aubergine or deep brown will inject some autumnal fun. Opt for Westmoreland’s recommended cool-toned nudes as a base, of course.

If you tend to wait until winter to take your nails dark, lighter brown tones will serve as the perfect transitional colour for autumn. 

“I definitely think lighter fudge browns are going to be trending this autumn,” says luxury manicurist Leah Parr. If you are dusting off your beige trench coat, Parr notes that these tones make an ideal match for your autumn wardrobe.

A chrome finish has maintained its coveted status for multiple seasons in a row. It really is the ultimate way to elevate your manicure, offering a longer-lasting kilowatt shine and a touch of glamour. Parr confirms that the trend is here to stay this autumn: “I’ve been seeing a design trending lately, and I’m obsessed. It’s a gorgeous chocolate brown with a copper chrome over the top.” We are hooked.

If autumn had a colour, it would be khaki. It offers a wearable take on the deep evergreens we find in the season. “I find darker full colours dominate the nail world in autumn and winter,” says Parr. “People want something simple that complements the autumnal knits and warm coats,” Moger agrees, stating that khaki will be among the moodier tones to opt for this season. 

Take this as a sign to match your manis to your matcha. If you are not ready to let go of bright colours just yet, matcha green is a more playful hue to choose. It maintains Westmoreland’s cooler-toned mantra while staying fun and playful. You can opt for matcha tips to inject joy into darker days or coat your entire nails for the ultimate mood boost.

Red has held the long-standing status of the colour that suits everyone, and you have officially gained the expert approval to welcome its return. “Dark reds are always a staple that suits everyone and are practical to go with any outfit,” says Parr. 

Moving away from pink undertones, autumn presents the perfect time to opt for a brown or plum skew as an earthier alternative. It is sure to have you staring at your nails all day long.

Image: courtesy of Leah Parr