13 Fall Nail Polish Colors to Try When You’re Ready to Ditch Your Summer Manicure

By Southern Living Editors
Deborah Lippman

When the leaves start changing colors, the pumpkin spice lattes start flowing, and the tailgates start earlier than we'd like, we get excited for more than a few fall things. A new Starbucks order? Yes. Breaking out our sweaters when it’s still too hot? Yes. A fresh fall nail color? Definitely.  


It’s time to ditch your summer manicure in favor of one of these new fall nail polish colors inspired by the beauty and fashion trends trickling down from the fall 2019 runways. Trade in last year’s army green for emerald green or deep teal, and ditch the classic black and taupe for gunmetal gray or midnight mahogany. If you’re feeling super bold, try one of this year’s more adventurous trends like neon yellow or smoky gold. (It’ll surely pop on your darkened-up fall wardrobe.) Grab your color of choice, and head to the salon with these 13 trendy nail colors for fall.

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Try These Trendy Fall Nail Colors

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Emerald Green

OPI

While army green was all the rage last year, now we're getting our green fix from its sassier cousin, emerald green. 

BUY IT: OPI Infinite Shine Longwear Nail Lacquer in Envy The Adventure; $10; amazon.com

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Royal Purple

JINsoon

Take a look at the runways, and you'll be seeing this sumptuous purple shade everywhere from evening gowns to eye makeup. Sitting pretty on the spectrum somewhere between lavender and vampy plum, the royal-worthy purple is just noticeable enough. 

BUY IT: JINsoon Nail Polish in Heroine; $18; barneys.com

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Midnight Mahogany

Essie

Wine red? Child's play. Meet a vampier red called "midnight mahogany." 

BUY IT: Essie Gel Couture Polish in Good Knight; $8; amazon.com

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Brick Red

Brick Red

While everyone else is going deep red, go liquid metal. We're seeing brick red all over runway beauty looks for fall, and this nail color hits the fiery mark. 

BUY IT: Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer in Ember; $10; amazon.com

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Smoky Gold

Essie

Gatsby called, and you're officially invited to his party. One caveat, though: You need to be wearing this smoky, vintage gold. 

BUY IT: Essie Treat, Love & Color Nail Polish in Pep In Your Rep; $9.99; target.com

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Dark Teal

Chanel

We're thinking moody teal might be the ultimate fall color for 2019. Vibrant and rich in color, it feels more posh than eating caviar on toast. (Not that we'd ever do that sort of thing down here. But sounds posh, no?)

BUY IT: Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Fiction; $28; nordstrom.com

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Brilliant Neon

OPI

Neon? For fall? Groundbreaking. (Actually, though.) Neon has been taking over for months, and it's not slowing down as we head into fall. You'll be seeing plenty of fashion and beauty looks to prove it. As you scale your wardrobe down to moody fall-winter shades, accessorize with a bold neon yellow nail. 

BUY IT: OPI Nail Lacquer in Pump Up The Volume; $10.50; amazon.com

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Toffee Taupe

Smith & Cult

Like one of those cool-girl utility jackets, but way easier to wear. This retro-inspired trend is a fresh neutral to try on your digits. From warm toffee to greyish taupe, go with the shade that feels like you. 

BUY IT: Smith & Cult Nail Color in Doe My Dear; $18; smithandcult.com

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Dusty Rose

Sally Hansen

Kick that bubblegum pink to the curb. It's time to tone it down with what we like to call "grandma pink." It's a dusty rose that goes from season to season (and...decade to decade). 

BUY IT: Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish in Blushed Petal; $5; target.com

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Gunmetal Gray

Zoya

As much as we love a classic black nail, we'd rather save it for the dreary winter months. A blackened, burnished silver sounds a little more rock 'n' roll anyway, right? 

BUY IT: Zoya Professional Nail Lacquer in Tris; $10; amazon.com

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Poppy Red

Smith & Cult

When they go dark, we go bright. It's just the pop of color to kick off tailgate season—or to rock at the family Thanksgiving dinner. You know, whatever the occasion. 

BUY IT: Smith & Cult Nail Color in Kundalini Hustle; $18; dermstore.com

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Frosty White

OPI

Have you been on the Funny Bunny train all summer? Let's switch the track. Just a single, barely-there coat of frosty, metallic white gives the perfect amount of subtle glow. Bonus: It works as a winter white, too. 

BUY IT: OPI Nail Lacquer in Dancing Keeps Me On My Toes; $10.50; amazon.com

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Dark Indigo

Deborah Lippman

If navy was the blue of choice last year, dark indigo is the new moody blue on the menu. It feels like midnight in a bottle.

BUY IT: Deborah Lippman Gel Lab Pro Lacquer in After Midnight; $20; dermstore.com

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