Cosy sweaters, falling leaves, pumpkin spice everything, and cool weather are just some of the best parts of the fall season, as are the vampy lipstick shades [1] and moody nail polish colours [2]. No matter what new beauty trends come into play each year, those two things will always be a constant.
If you have a go-to nail polish shade [3] for the season, returning to it every year feels like a warm hug. That's why many of our editors like to stick with what they know — be it a neutral beige or crisp red. But every once in a while, a new collection or colour drops for the season that piques our interest and makes it way into our regular rotation, which is exactly what happened to so many of us this year.
Whether it's a colour they discovered years ago and can't imagine abandoning or a newly discovered shade that's calling their name, our editors shared their favourite fall nail polish colours [4], ahead.
Mischo Beauty in Birthday Suit
"I'm of the firm belief that neutral nail polish is a year-round convention, especially when you're too busy to get a manicure every time it chips. (Some people call it boring; I call it consistent.) I've always gravitated toward sheer pinks and beige that are more forgiving no matter the season for that reason, but fall is the one time I try to bump it up on a notch. Enter: Mischo Beauty in Birthday Suit [5] ($20), a dreamy mauve shade that's a punch or two above neutral but still subtle enough for my comfort level." — Kelsey Castañon, POPSUGAR beauty director
CND Shellac in Blackpool
"For the last decade my fall go-to has been a black polish. I've learned throughout the years that regular ol' polish doesn't do the colour justice, so I often opt for a gel manicure or, if I'm lucky and it's available in my salon, CND Shellac in Blackpool [6] ($20). It's shiny, perfectly moody, and something I know Lauren Conrad [7] circa 2006 would approve of." — Samantha Sasso, associate beauty editor, native
ORLY Wild Abandon
"I typically stick to two nail polish colours year-round: soft pinks in the spring and summer and reds in the fall and winter. ORLY Wild Abandon [8] ($10) from the brand's 2020 fall collection is a beautiful red and purple hybrid which makes it feel fresh and different than my usual shade but is still well within my comfort zone. It really makes my fingers pop and I can't wait to rock it all season." — Jessica Harrington, associate beauty editor
Olive & June WKF
"Now that I've spent six months perfecting my DIY [9] mani, I'm very excited for a real fall colour — something fun and opaque and quintessential for the season. Olive & June WKF [10] ($8) is that colour. It's a green that's somewhere between moss and camo that flatters just about any skin tone. And the Olive & June formula is so easy to use, it makes up for any weaknesses in my technique." — Dawn Davis, senior editorial director, Group Nine Media
Essie Mezmerised
"I'm a big blue girl — would wear it head to toe — and so that literally means my toes are usually a shade of blue. It makes me feel like I am somewhere beachy and beautiful even when I am not. My go to blue shade that I always come back to is Essie Mezmerised [11] ($9). It's such a solid bold royal blue. If I want to feel a little more winter and dark I go with Essie Style Cartel [12] ($9)." — Lisa Sugar, POPSUGAR editor-in-chief
Olive & June JO
"It's not very often that when a brand drops a nail collection I love every single colour but that's exactly what happened when Olive & June launched the latest 2020 Fall Collection. As someone who lives for neutral, warm-toned hues all year round, it's been hard to choose just one as my favourite, but Olive & June JO [13] ($8) has been my recent go-to. It's a beautiful, sandy apricot colour that's the perfect nude shade against my medium complexion. What I love most about it, though, is that it still feels very bright and the peachy tones make it a great transitional colour for these final days of summer." — Genesis Rivas, assistant beauty editor, Makeup.com
Essie Wicked
"Ever since 7th grade — and much to my mother's dismay — Essie Wicked [14] ($9) was always my favourite "back-to-school" nail polish shade, and it still is. This classic, deep red-brown is pretty sheer with one coat, but transforms into the ultimate vampy oxblood by it's second. It's deep enough to starkly contrast my olive-toned skin, but neutral enough to pretty much go with any chunky sweater or fall makeup look. I'll always love this shade because it captures everything nostalgic about fall — cool nights, rich foliage, and of course, Halloween [15]." — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, associate beauty editor, Makeup.com
Chanel Le Vernis in Gitane
"Since I live in LA, fall doesn't have as much oomph weather-wise as most other places do. However, even though the palm tree leaves don't change colour, I still like to stay seasonal in a few aspects of my beauty routine — i.e. warmer eyeshadow colours, thicker moisturiser, and of course, new nail polish shades. I have two go-tos depending on my mood: Chanel Le Vernis in Gitane [16] ($28) and J.Hannah Hepworth [17] ($20). Hepworth is the perfect earthy beige-taupe — it's subdued and elegant, and goes with everything I might be wearing no matter the California temps. When I'm feeling more festive and poppy, Gitane is the ultimate bright red shade to compliment the vibe; it's kind of a hybrid red-orange that sets it apart from other classic cherry reds, which I adore." — Aviel Kanter, associate director, native
Olive & June ECC
"My favourite fall shade right now is Olive & June ECC [18] ($8). I love that this grey is so light, but it's also completely opaque. It's the perfect transitional shade, and it feels cosy but still elevated. I'm not a huge fan of dark polish, so this is a great shade for colder months when my go-to pastels feel a bit out of place. Plus, it doesn't wash out my pale skin like so many grey shades tend to do." — India Yaffe, assistant editor, shop
Nails Inc Swear By Salutation Plant Based Vegan Nail Polish
"Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats the look of a crips red manicure. In the fall, I trade my candy apple red shade for a deeper, bold hue like the Nails Inc Swear By Salutation Plant Based Vegan Nail Polish [19] ($10). The colour is so rich you can get away with just one coat if you're in a hurry (but I like doing two for the drama) and the formula is incredibly smooth and easy to use." — JH
J.Hannah Eames
"My go-to when I have my spa day at home is J.Hannah nail polish in Eames [20] ($19) and Fauna [21] ($19). Their earthy, burnt orange and green olive colours are my favourites for fall." — Shelcy Joseph, assistant editor, shop
Olive & June EC
"Olive & June EC [22] ($8) is my go-to for nails because I'm a nail biter and can't do bold colours or anything fun until I break this gross habit. When I do try to stop, I'll use this polish because it's clean and neutral." — LS