Fall 2023's Biggest Nail Trends Include Hot Chocolate Nails and Frosted Metallics

Frosted Metallics

Consider this a fresh new finish for a metallic mani. “Choose your favorite metal (silver, gold, or rose gold) and top it with a mattifying top coat,” says Olivia Van Iderstine, VP of Content & Creative and Mani Trend Expert at Olive & June. “The matte metallic look has a high-impact payoff, but it’s super easy to DIY. Apply two coats of metallic polish and let [it] dry. Apply an even layer of Olive & June The Matte Top Coat ($9) and watch the matte magic happen. You’ll still get a subtle shimmer from the metallic color, but the matte effect gives it a brushed metal effect that’s so cool for fall.”

Hot Chocolate Nails

“Chocolate brown is a warm, rich color that gives off the coziest vibes for fall, especially when paired with a matte topcoat,” says Mazz Hanna, CEO of Nailing Hollywood Agency. “Earthy tones are always popular in cooler months, but I suspect we will see hot chocolate nails everywhere this year.” As Hanna says, chocolate brown is versatile and classic and complements all skin tones and nail shapes and lengths. “Since this trend is just a shade, it’s very easy to re-create at home. I highly recommend Dazzle Dry for all of your at-home mani needs. It’s an incredibly innovative hybrid polish that dries completely solid in less than five minutes—no lamp necessary. Even better, its new Desert Flame Collection has a beautiful chocolate brown shade called Sequoia ($22),” she says.

Duo Finish French

“Take French tips into fall with a duo finish,” says Galdina Jimenez, OPI North America Education Manager. “Using both a shiny topcoat and a matte topcoat to create a French over a solid color is an easy go-to. This especially looks great over darker shades like OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, Got the Blues for Red, That’s What Friends Are Thor, and Scorpio Seduction ($11 each).” To get the look, apply two coats of your favorite dark shade, allow them to dry, apply a topcoat, and let it dry. Next, create a French smile line at the tip of the nail using a matte topcoat. You can use a nail-art brush to apply the smile line for a more precise application.

Classic French Manicure

“There is nothing fresher than a French manicure,” says Van Iderstine. “It’s timeless, looks amazing on everyone, and can be customized to your personal style. Choose a ’90s vibe with a thicker tip or a more modern look with a narrow tip. Not feeling particularly skilled in nail art? Pop on a press-on for a salon set in seconds.”

Gunmetal Gray

Going gray for fall is always a good idea. This time around, it’s all about gunmetal gray, a dark shade that’s versatile yet edgy. “It’s flattering on various skin tones and goes well with any outfit,” Hanna says. “This fall, we will see the exact opposite of the overtly girly manicure trends we’ve been seeing for almost all of 2023. Moody grays and metallic gunmetals will add a moody twist this autumn. If you want to jazz things up a bit with your at-home mani, opt for a polish with a bit of shimmer or a chrome finish to give your gunmetal gray mani a true metallic look.” Her go-tos are OPI Clean Slate ($11) for the perfect metallic gray and Skyline Reflect by Londontown Lakur ($16) for a multichromatic effect to the gray chrome finish.

Lots of Layers

“Fall is the time for layers, and I am not referring to just clothes,” Jimenez says. “Layering a sheer shade over a solid color is all the vibe. Switch up your solid shades with a special effect.” For a celestial effect, try a shimmer over a black base (like OPI’s Black Onyx, $11, followed by Feelin’ Libra-ted, $14) or a holographic glitter over a pale white for angel vibes.

Chrome Sweet Chrome

Ever since Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut nails entered the scene, this trend is still going strong. “I see this continuing into the fall again this year,” Hanna says. “It’s such a fun way to add some flair to a classic manicure. Chrome powder, in particular, looks incredible over almost every single color you can think of. Mirror chrome nail art is also a super-fun way to add some edginess to your manicure. For chrome at home, all you need is either a mirror chrome gel polish or a chrome powder to apply over the top of your manicure.”

Emerald Green

Going green is easy this fall. “Dark brown, dark red, and classic black are always beloved shades for fall, but we’re calling emerald green as the must-paint moody shade of the season,” Van Iderstine says. “It has all the sophistication of a dark mani, but the green feels different and more daring. This shade looks good on everyone, but we particularly love it on a short round shape—it makes a big statement without needing a lot of length. The key to this look is to ensure you use a really good glossy topcoat. The goal is to make it have almost a glass-like shine. Shiny and chic!” Get the look with Olive & June It’s Actually Dark Green ($9).

Goth Glam

“Wednesday Addams brought out the inner goth in all of us,” Jimenez says. “Before dyeing your hair black this season, try painting your nails in these gothic OPI shades instead.” Her favorites are OPI’s Less Is Norse, Lincoln Park After Dark, Black Cherry Chutney, Complimentary Wine, My Private Jet, or Vampsterdam ($11 each).

Velvet Nails

“The salon-favorite mani gets the autumn treatment in rich and cozy new hues,” Van Iderstine says. “This look that usually takes hours (and comes with a price tag to match) is yours in minutes with a press-on. No magnet required, and no dry time! Choose a shade that celebrates the season with a classic oxblood or a warm neutral.” For an easy velvet manicure, she suggests the Olive & June Velvet Swirls Fig Ranch Press-Ons ($10).

Classic Reds

An easy way to transition from summer into fall, “Reds make a comeback in the fall every year. The best thing about reds is that there are so many options out there since it’s such a classic manicure color, which makes it easy to find a shade that best suits your preferences,” Hanna says.

To nail that summer-to-fall transition, Hanna recommends bright red shades like Ember from Dazzle Dry’s new Desert Flame Collection. “They’re also great for the transition of fall into winter during [the] holiday season, which makes it an excellent choice for an at-home mani since it’s so versatile,” she says. “It’s always a great idea to have a classic red polish at home.”

Nearly Naked Nails

“When the weather gets chilly and we're ready to bring out our darker fashion pieces, sometimes a sheer neutral mani is just the thing,” Van Iderstine says. “Apply your favorite peachy sheer (we love Olive & June EC, $9) and apply a wash of soft shimmer (Olive & June Fairy, $8) over top. It looks like a glossy, effortless look from far away, and the subtle shimmer feels like a special surprise.”