On Your Mark… 6 Top Fall Nail Trends to Have on Your Radar (Before Everyone Else)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The best way to celebrate the changing seasons is by getting a new manicure, whether you prefer to do that at the nail salon or in the comfort of your own home. Personally, I prefer the latter, which is why I'm stocking up on trendy nail polish colors, semi-cured gel strips, press-ons… you name it. My commitment to cool, autumnal nails knows no bounds.

But before I invest my hard-earned money in nail products, I need inspo (and intel) from the experts. So I contacted two top nail artists. They gave me all the insider details on the top fall nail trends. Without further ado, keep scrolling to see the six fall nail trends you should know about before everyone else catches on—from chocolate brown shades to "coffee chrome" nails and beyond.

Chocolate Brown

Chocolate Brown nails

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

Mazz Hanna is a nail artist and the CEO of Nailing Hollywood. She says one of the trendiest nail colors for fall 2024 will be rich, indulgent chocolate brown. "Chocolate brown is warm and earthy and pairs perfectly with fall palettes," she says. "It's rich and cozy, which makes it the perfect choice for fall."

More Inspo:

Chocolate nails

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

I love these cozy milk-chocolate nails.

Chocolate brown nail art

(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

How about chocolate brown tips?

Must-Have Products:

Milky Colors

milky nails

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

The next trending color for fall, according to Hanna, isn't a color itself but a category: semi-transparent, milky colors. But don't think milky means varying shades of white and off-white. You can indulge in milky pink, milky lavender, milky blue… The world is your oyster. "Milky colors bring a soft, ethereal vibe that is perfect for fall," Hanna says. "Milky colors are great for those who prefer a softer and subtler look while still being able to partake in fall trends."

More Inspo:

short, milky nails

(Image credit: @raelondonnails)

The perfect "quiet luxury" manicure does exist.

milky gradient nails

(Image credit: @imarninails)

These pink-to-white gradient nails are so elegant.

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Metallic + Holographic Finishes

metallic gold French manicure

(Image credit: @hollyfalconenails)

Mix up your manicure by embracing fun metallic and holographic finishes—really any finish that brings a fun, unexpected, and ultra-shiny flair to your nails. "Metallic colors add a touch of luxury and glamor that is perfect for fall," Hanna says. "With the continued popularity of chrome, velvet, and pearlescent finishes throughout the year, we can expect these trends to seamlessly transition into fall, now paired with deeper, richer fall hues."

More Inspo:

silver holographic nails

(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

I want these silver holographic nails, like, right now.

Blue metallic nails

(Image credit: @imarninails)

I love this deep, midnight-blue shade.

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Coffee Chrome

Dark brown coffee chrome nails

(Image credit: @iramshelton)

We know that fun finishes like metallic, holographic, chrome, and velvet will be particularly popular this fall, but there's a specific subset of the trend that I can't go without mentioning—"coffee chrome" nails. Selena Gomez recently debuted the look at the Toronto International Film Festival, and there's no doubt it's going to be *everywhere* soon enough. And why wouldn't it be? It combines two of fall's biggest nail trends into one—chocolate brown and a high-shine chrome finish.

More Inspo:

Light brown coffee chrome nails

(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

This manicure looks so similar to Selena Gomez's.

Coffee chrome nails

(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

Just look at that super-reflective finish!

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Tortoiseshell

Tortoiseshell nails

(Image credit: @imarninails)

It might be a fall fashion classic, but tortoiseshell is slowly but surely making its way into the trendiest manicures for fall 2024. "Tortoiseshell print nails are always popular in the fall since the color palette matches so perfectly with the season," Hanna says. "It's a trend that's subtle enough for everyday wear but adds a fun twist to a basic mani. Tortoiseshell can also be worn as a French manicure, color-block manicure, or a mix-and-match mani. It's a great trend to experiment with."

More Inspo:

Half tortoiseshell nails

(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

Here's an example of that experimentation Hanna was talking about.

Emerald tortoiseshell nails

(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

You can even combine tortoiseshell with color. Emerald green is a great choice.

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3D Nail Art

3D nail art

(Image credit: @iramshelton)

Fashion girls are already leaning into embellished, 3D nail art, and we can see why. It's such an unexpected yet eye-catching way to adorn your nails. While rhinestones and pearls are currently the most popular, you can experiment with 3D nail art in multiple ways.

For example, Morgan Dixon, a Nailing Hollywood nail artist, says sweater nails will be a big trend for fall 2024. They're exactly what they sound like—3D designs that mimic the texture of a cozy, cable-knit sweater. "Sweater nails are always so fun, and it seems like a lot of people are ready for a cozy season, so I think it will be a huge hit with everyone loving more texture with your nail looks," she says.

More Inspo:

pearl nails

(Image credit: @nailartbyqueenie)

I love how these pearly, mermaid-esque nails look almost wet.

Gem-encrusted nails

(Image credit: @betina_goldstein)

This is a minimalist's way to wear nail gems.

Must-Have Products:

Kaitlyn McLintock
Associate Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.