You’ve Heard of Jelly Nails—Now, Let’s Give It Up For Jammy Nails This Fall

One of my favorite things about fall manicure trends is that they allow me to bring out all of my fave moody, deep nail polish colors—shades like OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark and DND’s Cherry Mocha are some of my go-tos—but after so many years of those black cherry and deep purple shades, it was only a matter of time before I started craving something just a little different and needed to switch things up.Enter: jammy nails. Like summer’s popular jelly nails, jammy nails have that juicy, glossy, slightly sheer finish, but what sets them apart is their darker shades—think vibrant plum, raspberry red, deep blackberry. All equally delish jam flavors and nail polish colors, it turns out! “These shades are incredibly versatile for fall, and the jelly finish helps soften the appearance of these deeper colors,” says nail artist Nasreen Espinoza. “Instead of looking heavy or flat, the translucent effect gives them a more effortless, glossy quality.” Honestly, I’m eating it up.Whether you’re looking to switch up your usual fall mani or just aren’t quite ready to part ways with jelly nails, consider jammy nails your next manicure obsession. Ahead, nail experts explain everything to know and how to get the look. Oh, and keep scrolling for some inspo pics to take to your next appointment.What are jammy nails?So, if you were to hold up a jar of raspberry or blackberry jam up to the light, you’d see rich, saturated color with a slightly translucent, glowing quality to it. That’s essentially the idea behind jammy nails. The trend combines fall-friendly fruit-inspired colors with sheer, jelly finishes to create a manicure that looks glossy and dimensional... and maybe even just a little bit edible. “Clients are always looking for new ways to elevate their manicures while still keeping them wearable,” says Espinoza. “These translucent shades make a manicure feel intentional and sophisticated without requiring a complicated design.”Unlike opaque polish, which completely covers up your natural nail, jelly formulas create that signature syrupy effect with a more sheer finish. “The ‘jammy’ effect also creates more dimension than a traditional opaque brown or dark red because the sheer finish allows the color’s undertones to show through,” adds Espinoza.There’s no one-size-fits-all version when it comes to jammy nails. Raspberry and strawberry shades give you a slightly brighter take while still very much living in the fall realm, while blackberry, cherry, and plum lean into the moodier side of things. Basically, if your manicure looks like it belongs on a piece of toast, you're probably doing something right.Why are jammy nails trending for fall?Jammy nails are popular this fall for a few different reasons. Firstly, they’re a natural extension of jelly nails. It’s pretty refreshing to know that I’m not completely abandoning the glossy, sheer finishes we spent all summer perfecting, but instead turning them into a more autumnal version.Secondly, they’re so, so easy. “You get a really polished look without having to do a lot,” says nail artist Riyah Martin. It elevates your look and adds some personality without nail art or anything like that, keeping things simple. This also makes ‘em pretty low-maintenance if you aren’t the most consistent with your manis: “The sheer finish also makes the color feel a little softer and less high-maintenance than a full opaque manicure,” Martin adds.Jammy nails, of course, also tap into our seemingly ever-growing obsession with food-inspired beauty. Just this fall, we’ve already had chai latte, syrup, cranberry, and chocolate brown nails (and this is just to name a few), so it was probably only a matter of time before our favorite fruit spreads got their own manicure moment.But what makes jammy nails especially appealing, on top of everything else, is their versatility. A sheer raspberry manicure can look surprisingly understated, while a deep blackberry shade with a glassy finish delivers all the drama of a vampy autumn nail, just with a little extra dimension. Whether you opt for a minimalist or a maximalist nail, you’re sure to ~fall~ in love with the design this season.How to get jammy nailsGood news: You don’t need to be a professional nail artist to recreate this look. The most important thing is choosing the right polish. Of course, you’ll want to look for a sheer, buildable jelly formula in your favorite fall shade that allows some of your natural nail to show through.At home, start with clean, properly prepped nails and a base coat. “Prep is always important, but especially with a sheer look because you’re going to see more of the natural nail,” says Martin. “I would file the nails into shape, buff them, clean up the cuticle, and dehydrate before applying the color. You want your nail to have a nice, clean surface so the jelly finish looks smooth.” When it comes to nail shape, it’s totally up to you, but short nail girlies rejoice: “Short nails are actually amazing for this look,” adds Martin. “The darker, sheer color makes them look really clean and polished without needing a lot of length.”Apply your polish in thin layers (“you don’t want to put too much on at once—the beauty of the look is being able to see that translucency,” says Martin), gradually building the color until you reach your preferred style. One or two coats can create a lighter finish, while additional layers can deepen the color without completely losing that jammy effect.Jammy nails inspo pics@overglowedit@craftedbyaprince@nailartbysig@raelondonnails@overglowedit@overgloweditMeet the expertsNasreen Espinoza is a licensed nail artist and nail content creator who works with DND Gel.Riyah Martin is a nail artist who works with ORLY.Why trust Cosmopolitan?Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmo. She’s covered and tested all things nails, from the coolest new polish colors to cuticle care and nail art trends.Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.