Brown Is Officially the Most Popular Nail Color for Fall—Here Are 10 Designs to Try

As the seasons change from summer to fall, it’s time to shift our nail colors as well. The vibrant summer colors, reminiscent of matcha green tea and strawberry lemonade, are ready to make way for more autumnal hues – with brown nails becoming the leading trend. Neutral, chic, and undoubtedly sophisticated, brown nails are perfectly suited to blend with your cooler weather attire. Moreover, this trendy manicure is on track to become the most coveted nail color of fall 2024.

Selection of the perfect shade of brown for your nails can be an intriguing process. The color spectrum for brown nails extends from light taupe to deep espresso, offering a plethora of options. With these earth-toned shades echoing the autumn season, the color also pays homage to the brown-toned makeup and manicures that captivated the ’90s.

The renowned celebrity manicurist, Deborah Lippmann, shares that a manicure is an extension of your overall look. As we witness the prevalence of minimalistic makeup trends and bronze shades today, our choice of nail color should harmonize with these trends. According to Lippmann, the ideal shade should be a complement to your skin tone, be it brown, taupe, or beige.

Like trying on an outfit before purchasing, determining the perfect nail color shade should involve a similarly thorough process. Lippmann advises using our cuticles to gauge the suitability of a shade. An incorrect shade may give the cuticles a red or unclean appearance. Moreover, keep in mind the undertones of the nail paint, as cool undertones suit cool complexions and warm undertones best complement warm complexions.

Fall 2024 will not only welcome varying shades of brown but also numerous designs and trends in brown nail art. A creamy latte finish has a gentle mix of brown laced with white, making it a suitable companion to any outfit. On the adventurous side, incorporating the ever-popular leopard print in your nail art can add a fashionable edge to your otherwise neutral manicure.

A caramel-toned brown manicure invites a warm and cozy feeling, while its golden tint adds a sophisticated flair perfect for autumn. If you are up for merging trends, how about combining the brown nail trend with the ombre effect? Each nail can sport a different shade within the same color family for a vibrant effect.

Inspired by the elegance of a cup of coffee, you could also try a manicure replicating the swirls of milk blending in with coffee. Classic French manicures also offer the flexibility to go experimental, with ideas such as a brown tip paired with white lining. Alternately, try the aromatic espresso brown for a darker, dramatic effect, or opt for a neutral brown that flatters all skin tones with minimal effort. Going a step ahead, try adding a layer of green sheen to your brown nails to make a bold statement.

Enjoy playing with the spectrum of brown, from medium to dark, and don’t hesitate to let your nails shimmer with a dash of glitter in your favorite brown shade. All in all, this fall is promising to be a festivity of brown nail color, with a shade, design, and trend for everyone to explore and enjoy.