We Can’t Say We Didn’t See Espresso Nails Coming for Fall (2024)

To whoever first matched their nails to their favorite seasonal drink—we salute your genius. There has been something so satisfying about having orange nails as we sip an Aperol spritz and mellow-green manis as we take our matchas to go this summer. Some of fall 2024’s biggest nail color trends will follow suit, inspiring more indulgent beverage choices during the cooler months. We anticipate merlot and espresso-color nails, the former inspired by Helmut Lang’s recent showing of Black Cherry nails on the runway, and the latter—Sabrina Carpenter, of course.

Other colors poised to trend this fall include gray, earthy green, and mauve. The moody shades make their annual return during the season’s cooler months. Ahead, discover the nail colors experts predict will be popular this fall.

Meet the experts:

• Jin Soon Choi is a New York City-based editorial nail artist
• Jay Arnold is the co-founder of nail polish brand CND
• Sigourney Nuñez is a Los Angeles-based nail artist

Black cherry

This nail color will take you to the dark side this fall—but in the best way. “Nearly black lacquer with red undertones emits an edgy vibe with rebellious charm,” says New York City-based editorial nail artist Jin Soon Choi.

Choi used Risque—a deep blackberry—from her eponymous brand on models at the Helmut Lang fall 2024 show. The result was a dark, yet sophisticated manicure. “This shade has a striking contrast yet seamless compatibility with darker skin tones,” says Choi. We also love OPI Blackberry Chutney a red-black polish with a glossy finish for a similar look.

Sheer smoke

“Sheer smoky gray has swiftly become a designer favorite for its understated yet sophisticated presence,” says Choi—both the Helmut Lang and Proenza Schouler fall 2024 shows featured light gray manicures. The airy color recently made it to the red carpet too, for Elle Fanning’s Met Gala manicure. When a shade goes from the runway to the red carpet, its next stop is all over social media feeds.

To achieve the look, sweep a thin coat of Chanel Le Vernis 125 Muse onto your nails before following it with a topcoat for a more sheer finish. (Multiple coats will create a more opaque look.) You can also opt for a polish formulated to have a jelly effect, like Vishine Jelly Crystal Clear Grey Gel Nail Polish, which is great for an ultrasheer gray manicure.

Clay mauve

This pretty, earth-tone purple takes inspiration from creamy clay and evokes a sense of calm. This can be a tricky color to nail (pun intended). Some mauves lack a luster that can make them rather drab, while others are a little too pigmented, making them a basic purple. But Manucurist Nail Polish in Rose Mountbatten gets the shade just right, with a mixture of pink and brown undertones. We also love Dior Vernis Nail Polish in Dansante, a lush mauve with pink undertones.

Merlot

“I love a dark nail year-round, but this one is especially important this fall,” says Jay Arnold, co-founder of CND. The cherry cola color trend dominated last fall and winter, but as we look toward this coming fall, we anticipate merlot nails taking over. Like cherry cola, merlot has a dark red base but replaces the plum undertones of the soda-inspired color with brown ones. “This shade is dark and mysterious, yet exudes energy and richness,” says Arnold.

Our favorite merlot shades include Addiction Tokyo Beauty Bloody Merlot (for its vibrant color and fast-drying formula) and Sienna Sacred (for the luxe, creamy finish). If you’re strapped for time, reach for press-ons like Olive & June Glue Press-Ons in Obsessed. The slightly pointed almond shape and deep burgundy color will give you the perfect vampy manicure.

Glossy black

It doesn’t get moodier than jet black. “Black holds many accolades: modern, chic, luxurious, cool—the list goes on,” says Choi. For that ultra-glossy finish reach for Gucci Glossy Nail Polish in 700 Black Crystal or Zoya Nail Lacquer in Willa because both choices boast rich pigment.

While the classic shade looks good on all nail shapes, Choi says she loves it on short, square nails “for its effortlessly cool vibe.” Static Nails Dark Room Square press-ons are an easy, foolproof way to get this look.

Espresso

Chocolate brown nails are moving over this fall to make room for a darker roast. “The earthy undertone of espresso brown helps evoke the feeling of groundness which can be really comforting,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist Sigourney Nuñez. CND Vinylux Nail Polish in Fedora will give you a mani smoother than a cup of espresso; we recommend the glossy gel-like shine of this polish. If you want something with a bit more sparkle, may we suggest ILNP Dash of Cocoa for a cool holographic effect?

Raw matcha

We’re swapping out milky matcha tones for richer hues of green. Like a good cup of matcha, this shade is equal parts calming and bold. Mooncat’s The Stranger gets this shade just right according to Nuñez. “It’s a gorgeous and highly pigmented olive/raw matcha color,” says Nuñez. “Just two coats of this creamy color will give your nails a dreamy finish.” We love Manucurist Jade, which has a luxe shiny finish.

Burnt orange

Consider this the Halloween 2024 color. The polish darkens spring’s peachy shade, making it a perfect transition to fall seen perfectly in this ombré French manicure that Nuñez created for a Hellmann’s Mayo collab Mani.

“This deep apricot shade also reflects the changing color of the leaves,” says Nuñez—and who doesn’t want to match the pretty foliage? To prep for your orange fall mani, grab a bottle of Essie To DIY For (a vibrant orange with subtle red undertones). For a gel option, add Aprés Autumn Apricot to your cart. The highly pigmented gel polish cures in 30 seconds, making it great for a quick-fix mani.

Discover more nail color trends:

• Butter Yellow Is My New Neutral Nail Polish for Summer
• Everyone Will Be Wearing This Aquatic Nail Color for Summer
• Nail Trend Exhaustion Caused This Summer’s Biggest Manicure Movement

Now, watch Amy Poehler and Maya Hawke react to internet trends: