I Asked Nail Artists in New York and LA—These Are the Most Popular Shades for Fall

As an editor, it’s my job to report on beauty trends, whether that’s the buzzy skincare ingredient about to take over shelves or the haircut every celebrity will have in a few months. This year, I’ve reported countlessly on the biggest nail trends of 2026, from the minimalist designs all over Instagram to the nail colors on red carpets and runways. But what are real people actually asking for at the salon?Now that we’re in the middle of fall, I asked a few nail artists all around the U.S. for the fall nail colors their clients are constantly requesting. “Fall’s nail palette is rich, nuanced, and far more versatile than the usual seasonal script,” says nail artist Elle Gerstein. Among the top trends, which I’ve outlined below, Gerstein says most people want shades that “look polished without feeling predictable and flatter a wide range of skin tones.”1. Chocolate Brown @mvk.nycEvery single nail artist I spoke to called out deep browns as the most-requested nail color this fall. “Chocolate shades, from milk chocolate to rich espresso, are particularly trending,” says nail artist Vikki Swan. “These colors feel elegant and perfectly capture the fall aesthetic,” she says, noting that “brown tones are increasingly becoming an alternative to classic black, offering a softer, warmer look.”Nail artist Viktoriia Voloshyna agrees, noting that “clients love it because it feels warm and cozy, but still very elegant, and it goes with all the fall neutrals people are wearing.”2. Sheer Milky Tones@nailsbyzolaAlthough dark nail colors are everywhere right now, don’t count out the classics. “Light nails are still having a major fall moment,” says Gerstein. “Sheer pinks and ashen lavender—especially in translucent, glassy finishes—feel fresh rather than summery,” she says. “Old rules of seasonal color are open to interpretation.”For Voloshyna, “Milky and soft neutral shades are still very popular too. A lot of my clients have busy schedules and want a manicure that looks clean and polished for weeks.”3. Chocolate Cherry@mvk.nycWe apparently can’t get enough of all types of chocolate, including this burnished deep-red shade. “Chocolate cherry is particularly seductive because it combines the warmth of brown with that almost-vampiric red,” says Tucson-based nail artist Max Estrada.“Browns and reds have a timeless appeal and can be a more interesting alternative to blacks and whites,” says Wong. She loves the MiniLuxe Pure Polish in shade Mexi-Cocoa for an in-between brown-and-red shade.4. Emerald@overglowedit“Emerald is a fabulous wildcard; I love an unexpected jewel green when everyone else reaches for burgundy,” says Estrada. “But I want more than a flat coat of color. Give me dimensional velvet, reflective chrome, glassy shine, and glitter. Even a basic nude can become opulent with the right sparkling finish.”5. Glitter Accents@peach.bling.nyc“I’m seeing a continued love for effortless, barely-there manicures, and I expect that trend to carry into the holiday season, with subtle touches of sheer chrome and glitter for a festive feel,” says Wong. In fact, even Taylor Swift is trying it out, with a recent nude-and-glitter manicure. “Her look is a lovely reminder that the base color can be simple; add dazzling texture and extra length, and the look becomes something glamorous and memorable,” says Estrada.6. Dark Cat-Eye@simlynail“I’ve been seeing a lot of people ask for darker, moodier shades,” says Nicole Wong, nail artist and lead nail designer at MiniLuxe. “I think people naturally gravitate toward these colors as the weather gets cooler because there's this richness and warmth we associate with fall, while still feeling sophisticated and easy to wear.” If you want to opt for those deep shades but try something different, the experts say go for a cat-eye finish. “I expect to see more deep shades with interesting textures and finishes in the latter half of fall,” says Swan.“Cat-eye nails continue to be one of our most requested styles, and we've noticed clients becoming more intentional about how they wear them,” says nail artist Sandra Wei. “Rather than going for an all-over, dramatic shimmer, many are gravitating toward softer, more diffused magnetic effects that subtly catch the light.”7. Cool Blues @paintedbyjools“Clients are choosing cool blue shades this fall, both deep navy and soft light blue,” says Voloshyna. “Blue isn't a typical fall color, but the darker shades feel just as cozy and elegant as brown or burgundy, and light blue looks fresh and a little icy. It's a nice change for people who want something different from the classic fall palette.”Meet the expertsElle Gerstein is a nail artist who works in New York, Los Angeles, and Long Island. Max Estrada is a nail artist and the founder and creative director of eNailCouture based in Tucson, AZ.Vikki Swan is a nail artist, educator, and the founder of Vikki Swan Nail Academy in Los Angeles. ​Viktoriia Voloshyna is a nail artist, educator, and the founder of Tory Pro Nails Studio in Beverly Hills. ​Sandra Wei is a nail artist and the founder of Peach Bling nail salon in New York.​Nicole Wong is a nail artist and the lead nail designer at MiniLuxe.Why trust Cosmopolitan? Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing skin, hair, makeup, nail, and fragrance stories.Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.