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From Cognac To Chrome, Take These Autumn Nail Ideas To Your Next Manicure

The seasonal heavyhitters to know now.

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a collage of a woman's hand with rings on her fingers
Iram Shelton

This season, autumn nail trends are high on the manicure agenda, marking the long awaited return of oxblood reds, midnight blues and fall-favourite jet black. But it's also giving rise to a new raft of nail art inspiration, from jewel tones and light-reflecting chrome, to the sea of highly wearable 'red wine' shades taking over on TikTok.

The latter is a trend that leading nail tech Iram Shelton is seeing more and more of lately. 'Wine-inspired nails are a classic and I think there’s been a huge interest in these colours after they’ve gone viral on social media,' she says. In fact, reds as a whole are big news this season, according to Shelton. 'Some of my most requested shades have been Malaga Wine, Chick Flick Cherry, Black Onyx, Lincoln Park After Dark and Black Cherry Chutney.'

Expect to see deep jewel tones too, says the expert. 'They make a statement without all the fuss of nail art specifically on shorter nails.' Another popular monotone mani is the espresso manicure, the nail industry's answer to the viral latte make-up trend, as illustrated by none other than Hailey Bieber. Shelton also predicts that simple nudes and barely-there manicures aren't going anywhere, either. 'I think less is more and that is what "quiet luxury" is about.'

Whether you want to keep things pared back with a fresh slick of polish or embrace the darker tones synonymous with the colder months, discover an assemblage of nail trends for Autumn, below.

The best autumn nail ideas this season

1

Burnt Orange

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Amassing a casual 119 million views on TikTok, burnt orange nails are having a moment on Gen-Z's favourite social platform. That's because, they're versatile, fresh and go with pretty much everything in your wardrobe.

2

Aura Nails

The most ethereal manicure of the moment, aura nails have been spotted adorning the hands of everyone from Lizzo to Dua Lipa. Usually accompanied by bright rainbow hues, discover fall favourites like midnight blue and auburn for a softer take. The style reference: Melanie Graves (aka @overglowedit).

3

Two-tone Manicure

Combining some of the biggest nail art trends this year - chrome! glitter! burnt orange! - this two-tone manicure created for @nikki_makeup epitomises autumn nail inspiration.

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4

Double Denim

A move away from last season's love affair with royal blue, this season, the runway was alight with vintage-denim inspired hues. The inspiration? See: the Dior Vernis 796 Denim polish.

5

All-Over Chrome

As seen on the runway, chrome is going to be a major hit this season; a happy medium between embracing festive sparkle and grown-up glitter.

6

'Quiet Luxury'

It might look like just another barely-there nail trend, but this subtle blush hue - as seen via nail pro Harriet Westmoreland - adds a little more depth in colour and a lot more sheen than its previous counterparts.

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7

Happy Hour

If you're prone to a bit of scrolling (no judgement), you'll have seen that wine-inspired nail trends have been taking over recently, from malbecs to merlot.

8

Latte Nails

A slew of celebrities have been embracing the espresso manicure trend, from Hailey Bieber and Lily James. And between going with pretty much everything in your wardrobe and embracing one of the biggest fashion trends of the season, it's pretty easy to see the appeal.

9

High Shine

Like the dewy aesthetic that's been trending in skincare, but for your nails. We can't get enough of an ultra, near blindingly glossy finish this autumn.

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10

Cognac

Cognac is another trend to look out for this autumn, which favours deep earthy reds and a high-shine finish. Just ask Harriet Westmoreland.

11

Hot Chocolate Nails

... But with a twist. If you're growing tired of the endless dark chocolate shades filling up your feed, try this French mani update instead.

12

Tuxedo French

Our favourite take on a classic French, this mixes up your go-to manicure and is ideal for party season on the horizon.

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13

Mattified French Manicure

Upgrade your classic gel and ultra-shiny manicure with these highly mattified nails and contrasting textures.

14

Return Of The Red

Malbec, burgundy, maroon — call it what you will, but our favourite reds are trending again. For something a little different, try adding subtle lines and mismatching different nails.

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