7 Fall Gel Nail Colors We're Obsessing Over

While we've gotten pretty good at executing at-home gel manicures, we can't help but think of how nice it could be to give our nails some breathing room away from that perfect-looking (but sometimes damaging) cured lacquer.

Fun fact: Several nail polish brands have upped the ante by improving their traditional nail polish formulas to look, feel, and perform more like a gel without the need to cure it under a light. And, of course, if you purchase an at-home gel nail kit, you have even more gel nail polish options available to choose from!

We're taking stock of the best new fall gel nail colors we're most excited to wear. Ahead, check out the seven shades we're swooning over, whether gel or gel-adjacent. Scroll for the mood board and shop the ones that speak to you most.

1. Matcha Green

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein

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This neutralized seafoam shade is an absolute dream. It totally functions like a burst of color without being over-the-top bright.

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(Image credit: @ada_oguntodu

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2. Tawny Red

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(Image credit: @imarninails)

This gorgeous and complex red calls in hints of brown, orange, and even yellow—all the shades that comprise the ultimate fall color palette. It's the perfect hue to channel the changing leaves.

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(Image credit: @buffcs

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3. Ivory

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(Image credit: @buffcs)

Tone down bright whites with this classic soft ivory. Go for an opaque finish by adding more coats or hang back with a barely there, sheer finish. The choice is yours.

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(Image credit: @annawinck

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4. Shades of Gray

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary

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From light gray that looks like wet cement to mid-toned gray reminiscent of a cloudy sky, there's something for everyone is this fall-appropriate color family. We've been bopping up and down this spectrum all season.

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(Image credit: @erika_boldrin

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5. Warm Chestnut

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If you find yourself reaching for lattes in the fall, you might notice the similarity between that frothy drink and this nail color. It's slightly warmer than your average beige but just a shade or two too light to be considered brown.

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(Image credit: @caitlinmiyako)

6. Goldenrod

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(Image credit: @carolineinnycity

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Think of this shade as a wheaten-leaning yellow that's a lot less in your face than your typical summertime canary. It's more of a burnt yellow, if you will.

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(Image credit: @styleidealist

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7. Metal and Chrome

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(Image credit: @betina_goldstein

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If you've been waiting for a little flash, you found it. Get your Tin Man on with shiny metallic shades and gleaming chrome hues that will add some extra energy to your manicure. Try everything from shimmering silver polishes to bronzy rose golds.

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(Image credit: @laurennicolefk

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This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Associate Beauty Editor

Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with about six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previously Who What Wear's associate beauty editor after spending many years working on the West Coast edit team at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.