9 Reasons Why Autumn Nail Art Doesn't Have to Be Literal

Try the new trendy nail look, the oil slick, but in gold, green, and bronze. First, find a nail foil that matches your desired metallic design. Paint your base with black (or leave clear like the look pictured here). Dab nail glue to the center of your nail and let dry. Place nail foil on top and press. Pull off the foil, clean up, and set with a topcoat. You can also vary multiple nail foil colors for a multidimensional look.

Design by @paintboxnails

Turquoise jewelry pairs well with autumnal fabrics like suede and knits, so why not apply the print to your nails? Start with two even, thin coats of the blue-green color as your base. Once dry, use black lacquer to freeform the design. Use a paintbrush dipped in polish remover to blur the edges and finish with a topcoat.

Design by @nailallie

Choose another surprising fall color palette in coral, taupe, and jade. Use tape to help avoid uneven lines.

Design by @nataliepavloskinails

Take a metallic riff on falling leaves with flecks of gold leaf instead. Start with a clear base coat. While it's still drying, gingerly apply gold pieces throughout. Let dry and finish with a clear base coat.

Design by @nails_that_

This subtly fall color combo is a twist on the negative nail. Paint a gold circle near the base of your nail, toward the left side. Once dry, fill in the rest of your half moon with a forest green hue. Finish with a clear top coat.

Design by @palemoonseattle

Leopard is a classic fall pattern, but we're not completely over summer pastels. Paint one edge with a leopard design and let dry. Add a cotton candy blue lacquer over two-thirds of your nail, so the animal print peaks through. Set with a clear topcoat.

Design by @aliciatnails

Throw it back to weird '70s furniture without the kitsch thanks to this striped look. Paint your nails in vertical stripes of mustard and shades of brown, and always finish with a topcoat.

Design by @nataliepavloskinails

Match your fall flannels with plaid nails this fall. Start with a red base and let dry. Paint a single vertical stripe in black down the middle. With a separate paintbrush, mix red and black together and add the corresponding plaid boxes. Add a matte topcoat for a muted finish.

Design by @jessicawashick

Flowers aren't just for spring if you choose a neutral color palette, done here in browns, pale pink, and and red.

Design by @theillustratednail