As the days get shorter and the air grows cooler, we naturally ease into deeper, darker colors. This moody vibe shift shows in our outfits, hair colors, and manicures.
"Complement your style with the popular nail colors of this season, including muted shades of slate and azure blue, grayed olive greens, deep espresso browns, and decadent, rich dark reds," says Jan Arnold, co-founder of CND. "This year, we are taking the classic shades we know and love and adding a twist with a bit of shimmer or extra pigment for added dimension and depth."
meet the expert
Jan Arnold is the co-founder of nail-care brand CND.
Shop 20 dark fall nail colors for cozy and moody manicures below.
CND Leather Goods
“This deep espresso adds warmth and cozy sophistication to your nails,” says Arnold.
Aprés Bossa Nova
Bossa Nova is a gorgeous mossy green from the Aprés French manicure gel collection. It has a medium viscosity to ensure better control for tip designs.
Orly No Fig Deal
Deep and vampy, this ORLY polish is a spooky dark red. It’s from the brand’s breathable line, which is enhanced with nourishing ingredients like vitamin B5 to strengthen nails.
Mooncat Whisky Sunrise
A shining terracotta, this multi-chrome polish reflects shades of orange, red, and green depending on the angle you’re looking at them.
Essie Carols & Caviar
This deep gray has strong navy undertones, making it a cool and dramatic shade for fall.
ILNP Dakota
This blackened berry nail polish is stunning. It’s embellished with a blend of pink, purple, and gold glitter for a multi-dimensional finish.
Hermès Brun Bistre
Go dark with this stunningly deep, cool-toned brown. The formula is highly pigmented, so you’ll be able to enjoy the color’s full depth.
ILNP Ink
Nothing screams dark fall colors like onyx. This jet-black shade has a creamy formula that gives opaque coverage in just one coat.
Essie Full Blast
Full Blast from Essie is a moody, deep red that launched as part of Essie’s limited-edition 2023 fall collection.
ILNP Caramel
This rich caramel brown reads orange without skewing full-blown pumpkin. It’s the ultimate fall shade.
CND Needles & Red
“Vampy red accented with black stipple effect redefines glamour,” says Arnold. The more coats you apply, the more subtle the black flecks become.
OPI Scorpio Seduction
This vivid cobalt blue is full of energy while retaining a bit of mystery. It has a pearl finish for a bright, light-catching reflection.
Olive & June Obsessed Velvet Press Ons
Get a stunning fall mani in mere minutes with these red velvet press-ons from Olive & June. Each one of your nails will shine like rubies.
OPI We the Female
This burgundy is perfect if red is your go-to shade and you want to go a bit darker for fall. It’s a classic, yet moody hue.
Aprés Spiced Apple Cider
Add a dose of dimension to seasonal reddish brown nails with golden sunburst embellishments.
Glisten and Glow Soup & Snuggles
Embody dirty martini-inspired glam with this true olive shade. It’s got just the right amount of yellow to read warm without being overly bright.
Cirque Colors Eye of the Beholder
If you want a super cozy shade of brown, opt for this multi-chrome shade, which ranges between papaya red and burnt orange.
Luxio Truffle
Transform your nails into milk chocolate with this rich, warm brown polish. It’s a gel formula, so be sure to have the proper base and top coats as well as a UV light to cure.
Paintbox Like Sage
Capture the cool vibes of fall without going too dark via this gorgeous sage green. The hue was inspired by nature, ‘70s interiors, and runway color trends.
OPI Linger Over Coffee
This rich shade of brown has subtle red undertones for a warm and toasty look.