The 19 Luxe Nail Colors Fashion People Are Wearing Into Fall (Plus the Ones They're Quietly Retiring)

There's something about the calendar turning over from August to September that makes us want to shrug on our cashmere, unpack the trench coats, and grab a seasonal (hot!) coffee, despite the temperature usually dancing somewhere around 80 degrees. While fashion transitions may be a bit premature at this time of year, the one thing that you can do to switch your look into autumnal gear without considering the weather is by changing up your manicure shade for something more… contemporary.

Celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein paints the fingertips of some of your favorite stars, including Tate McRae, Rachel Brosnahan, and Jennifer Lopez, which means that she knows exactly how to nail a transitional manicure in one shade. (Forgive the pun.) "For fall, I love that you can do more in terms of color," says Gerstein. She recommends looking to fall runway trends to inform your color choices at this time and "make your fall nail wardrobe more versatile."

Of course, some warm-weather trends will remain. For example, varying shades of yellow nails will still be alive and well as we spear ahead toward fall, but we'll see a shift toward mustard versus lemon as the weather starts to cool. Celebrity nail artist and brand founder Pattie Yankee recommends turning your attention toward "muted greens in shades of olive and sage, warm earthy browns … metallics and shimmers" as the last dregs of summer circle the drain.

Ahead are 19 nail polish ideas that won't make you sweat during a mid-September layering act.

19 Summer-to-Fall Nail Polish Ideas

1. Waxy Mani

Step aside, glazed manicures—Gerstein says there's a new trendy finish in town. The celeb manicurist sees wax-colored neutrals coming down the pipeline thanks to its balancing act between sheer and opaque, matte and shiny. "It's not sheer, it's a waxier finish," she explains, calling this everyday finish the "new pastel."

"Soft, sheer pinks and universal neutrals have taken a turn—the neutral isn't about being so flesh colored, but having a hint of color," Gerstein explains. She describes this manicure as the sepia filter for your nails, and we'd call it the older sister to summer's obsession with milky soap nails.

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Mineral Fusion

Nail Polish in On Pointe

2. Eggshell

White nails are an undeniable hallmark of summer, but fall calls for something a tinge warmer. We have this picture of celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein's off-white nails saved to our transition season Pinterest board because it still offers the warm-weather, late summer vibe without veering too nautical. "Porcelain and parchment are the new nude," Gerstein agrees.

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Essie

Expressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish in Daily Grind

3. Chili Red

Somewhere in between cherry red and hot pink is this gorgeous chili shade, and we think it's perfect for these transitional months. Still summery enough for the lingering warm weather but undoubtedly tiptoeing into fall, this shade is a great option for those who aren't quite ready to close out their summer chapters.

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LONDONTOWN

Lakur Enhanced Colour in Down to Dilly

4. Forest Green

There's something about this deep, mossy shade that feels so September, no? If you're not a fan of black nails but want to swap your matcha nails for something edgier as the weather cools, we'd recommend trying a deep green hue like this one to hold onto those last bits of summer green.

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Zoya

Nail Lacquer in Hunter

To Gerstein, metallics are a top-notch way to turn your transition manicure into an accessory. She likens its fluidity to "lighter materials like silk and chiffon," calling out texture as an overarching fall nail trend in general. Swap your glazed nails for this warm silver chrome to take things up a notch for the changing seasons.

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Nails Inc.

Mirror Chrome Nail Polish

6. Shades of Sage

We're not of the mind that light-colored nails end in the summer, so why not try this fresh sage color on for size? Though it's not quite blue enough to lean seafoam, this vintage color is a bit more earthy and brings about a sense of tranquility and calm—a spa-like shade as serene as the falling leaves.

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CHANEL

Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Cavalier Seul

7. Milk Chocolate

Have you ever seen a shade that screams "hello fall" so loudly? This milk chocolate brown strikes the perfect balance between dark and light, making perfect sense for those seasonally confused days. Its warmth embodies the last remnants of coconutty bronzing oil from summer and first sips of maple lattes this fall.

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CHANEL

Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Particulière

8. Oxblood

Say hello to chili red's edgier older sister. These cool-girl shades work any time of year, but we especially love this burgundy shade for those first early days of fall. After all, what nail polish shade gets people more excited for foliage than a vino hue?

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Manucurist

Nail Polish in Dark Pansy

9. Lime Green

This one might seem a bit far out of left field, but hear us out. Charli XCX's Brat Tour might have ended this summer, but the iconic lime green album cover hue will forever remain—yes, even into fall 2025. Hailey Bieber proved that neon green nails work regardless of season or outfit, pairing her bright nails with a leather jacket as her wardrobe transitioned from winter to spring.

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Gucci

Vernis à Ongles Glossy Nail Polish in Melinda Green

10. Black Cherry

If you're a fan of almost-black hues but don't favor forest green, this vampiric cherry color might suit your fancy. Though this shade arguably reads more winter than late summer, its dark color story makes for an interesting, yet oddly fitting shade choice at this time of year—no TikTok trends necessary. You tastemaker, you.

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CHANEL

Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Rouge Noir

11. Chocolate Contrast

Try switching up your set, not with color, but with finish. Whether muted greens or warm, earthy browns, Yankee says she "loves to see mattes for the fall." Seal your entire nail with a matte top coat and allow it to fully dry before applying a careful sliver of glossy topcoat for alt French tips.

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12. Smoked Cinnamon

Yankee also called out "spiced browns" as a color to try this fall, and we haven't been able to get this smoked cinnamon shade out of our minds ever since. Try a few coats of the Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Macaroon to get a similar look.

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Sally Hansen

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Macaroon

13. Matcha-Green Tips

Who says that your color has to be all over? Get selective with your shades by sculpting a colorful French tip instead of coating the whole nail. We're particularly drawn to this matcha shade while the weather's still warm, though we'd argue that green works year-round.

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Le Mini Macaron

Le Sweet Nail Polish Collection in Matcha Latte

14. Amethyst

Purple nails have yet to have their moment, but this deep amethyst shade is one that we hope to see everywhere in the upcoming fall season. Try the Orly shade Plum Noir for a similarly vampy look.

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Orly

Nail Lacquer in Plum Noir

15. Dirty Martini

This one's for the olive lovers. If you're looking for that perfect transitional season shade, we think this might be the perfect one. Olive green looks stunning year-round, but there's something about 60-degree weather that makes us gravitate toward this hue more than ever.

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Essie

Nail Polish in Willow in the Wind

16. Bronze Age

Metallics are beloved by celebrity manicurists everywhere because of the subtle accent they add to every outfit. In fact, Yankee says a metallic polish is sometimes all you need for an effortlessly cool manicure—no polka dots and 3D art required—as "they make a statement all on their own." For something that feels quintessentially fall, try a bronze hue like OPI's Nail Lacquer in Band Tease.

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OPI

Fall Nail Lacquer in Band Tease

17. Dandelion Yellow

Let's face it—butter yellow nails aren't going anywhere just yet, especially as shades of yellow continue to pepper the fall 2025 runways. You can stick with the limoncello nails that dominated summer, as they'll work well into fall, but it's worth experimenting with muskier shades like dandelion yellow, too.

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Pattie Yankee

Nail Polish in Sonshine

18. Oyster Shell

Gerstein's favoritism toward frosted, textured manicures drew us to this champagne-colored nail polish, which, from the artist's standpoint, fashion lovers should adore. "Nails are always mimicking the clothes," the manicurist explains. "The metallic represents the flowiness of these fabrics, which is why I love them."

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OPI

Gelcolor Intelli-Gel in Welcome to Your Whirl

19. Blue Jeans

If you're going to try a pop of color during this time of year, let it be a vivid blue. Beauty editors can't get enough of navy and royal blues this year, and even though it's a statement shade, it somehow complements every outfit in an effortlessly cool way.

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Essie

Nail Polish in Butler Please