ear after year, nail polish trends cycle in and out with the season. While spring is a popular time for pastels and summer is associated with brights, autumn is all about rich hues inspired by the changing colors of leaves, the cozy knits of sweater weather, and the nostalgia of falls past. With so many colors to pick from, you might feel inclined to book an appointment to make your nails as fresh as your fall outfits.
While you can never go wrong with a simple all-over shade, we’re here to remind you that French manicures are a great way to switch it up. More specifically, we’re here to show you just how creative you can get with the timeless nail art trend. If you love a solid, matching manicure, try swapping out white tips for a fall-friendly shade on each nail. On the other hand, if you’re more of an unconventional nail art lover, there are so many ways to update the classic look this year. To help you uncover the possibilities and pick your favorites, we rounded up over a dozen fall French manicure nail art ideas below.
01of 23Tonal Fall French Manicure
@CHILLHOUSE
Retro fashion and beauty trends are making a big impact in 2022. For fall, a vintage-inspired color palette with teal, terracotta, and brown at the forefront is proving popular. Fortunately, the colors all go together quite well, so instead of picking just one, you can put a different shade on each tip for a multicolored fall French manicure. If painting your own French tips sounds like a chore, though, know that press-ons exist: The photo above is actually none other than the Chillhouse Chill Tips ($16) in Study Hall. The kit includes 24 nails to ensure you can find your best fit, and the glue that comes with it really anchors the manicure—take it from someone who swears by Chill Tips above all else.
02of 23Zebra French Manicure
@SINCERELYJKELLY
Animal print has popped up throughout the year, making this zebra-inspired French manicure an especially trendy option. While this example is done in black and white, you could easily switch up the ᵴtriƥes to be a more colorful palette.
03of 23Salted Caramel French
@IMARNINAILS
This ooey-gooey take on the classic French manicure is the perfect way to mix things up. This more abstract version blends drips of burnt orange and rich-brown for sweet and salty vibe.
04of 23Retro Colorblock French Tips
@POP_POLISHED
We’re head over heels for these perfectly painted color block French tips. While the shades are relatively bright, they encapsulate autumn’s retro vibes beautifully. To create the look, you can use a thin-tipped detailing brush and go freehand, or if you prefer a simpler DIY, employ arched French tip stickers (like the Orly Half Moon Guides, $5) and paint beneath them at the base and above the ones at the tip. Whatever you do, though, don’t remove the ᵴtriƥs until your polish is dry—otherwise, it could potentially snag the edges.
05of 23Multicolor French Mani
@PAINTBOXNAILS
Looking for a more unconventional fall French manicure? This three-toned, angled idea is a colorful color block look we can’t resist. That said, given the detail and layering, it’s likely best to head to a professional for this nail art.
06of 23Mixed Metals Glitter French
@PAINTBOXNAILS
Whoever said that silver and gold can’t be worn together clearly hadn’t seen how pretty the two metals are when reflecting the same light. In addition to mixing jewelry metals, you can combine metallic glitters into a single fall French manicure. To recreate this exact look, use the Paintbox Power Couple ($40) in Like Future and Like Spark.
07of 23Gold Dipped
@IMARNINAILS
Nothing says power move like pairing some gold hoops, your finest cashmere, and a set of gold-dipped tips this autumn.
08of 23Aegean Blue Marble
@AMYLE.NAILS
If you’re feeling drawn to multiple design styles, there’s always the option to combine intricate nail art with a few French tips. Case in point: This aegean blue marble French manicure. For a similar color, try the Londontown Lakur ($16) in Chivvy Along.
09of 23Classic French
To put it simply, you can’t go wrong with a classic French manicure. It’s timeless, chic, and looks good with literally everything.
10of 23Flaming Fall French Tips
@POP_POLISHED
How fun (and spicy!) are these metallic flame French tips? The color just screams fall. And, we have to admit, the design calls for an especially steady hand, so let this be your inspiration to book a fall manicure stat.
11of 23Shades of Brown
@SINCERELYJKELLY
If you love the look of an ombré skittles manicure but want to make it fit for fall, consider five shades of brown, as manicurist Jessica Kelly Silvério did here. To achieve the look without trying to find brown polishes that work well together, do yourself a favor and buy the Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish Set ($36) in Chocolate Cravings.
12of 23Check Mate
@AMYLE.NAILS
Checkers are majorly trending in 2022, and these ones just so happen to be in the prettiest palette for your fall French manicure. Given the intricacy of the design, you’ll likely want to book an appointment to bring these to life.
13of 23Pearl Adorned French Mani
@LOLO.NAILEDIT
For a glam fall French manicure, try black French tips topped off with slate gray metallic pearls. The trick is to buy flat-backed craft pearls (like the Half Round Pearls Flatback Imitation Pearls, $9, in gray) to glue onto each nail. If you don’t want to use glue, you can press the pearls into the topcoat, then apply another layer on top.
14of 23Chrome French Tips
@HELUVIEE
Ever since Hailey Bieber showcased her chrome “glazed donut” nails, people everywhere have been trying to recreate the look. Now, the shimmery, pearlescent manicure has popped up in French form. While white might not be the most obvious choice for autumn, we think any time is a great time to try this trend.
15of 23Transitional French
@IMARNINAILS
For those early September days when it still feels like summer but you’re excited for fall, we love to play with shades or orange to transition into the season. This modern, orange and white French manicure gives a nice preview to fall leaves while still giving summery creamsicle vibes.
16of 23Tortoiseshell French Manicure
@HELUVIEE
Tortoiseshell is a gorgeous pattern that often pops up in fall. Here, it’s combined with a classic white French manicure for a look we simply can’t stop staring at. We recommend enlisting the help of a pro to perfect the tortoiseshell tips and white outlines.
17of 23Cobalt Ghosts
Ready for some Halloween nails as soon as temperatures drop below 70? Same. This peekaboo ghost art with cobalt French tips is absolutely chef’s kiss for fall.
18of 23Chrome Shimmer Tips
@LOLO.NAILEDIT
Remember: Metallics are having a moment in 2022. As such, this chrome shimmer French manicure is a perfect pick for fall. Best of all, it’s easy to recreate. The nail artist behind the above look used CND Shellac ($15) in the shade Negligée for the base and Powerful Hematite for the tips.
19of 23Monochrome Magic
@DISSEYNAILS
How stylish is this two-toned brown French manicure? The differentiation between the base and tips is so subtle, it almost makes you double-take. To achieve the exact look, use Lights Lacquer ($11) in The Butler as the base and Isabella for the tips.
20of 23Dual Finish French Tips
@NAILSBYCANISHIEA
Love how subtle the last fall French manicure was? This one’s even chicer with a monochrome palette on each nail. To create the look, Canishiea J. Sams used matte and gloss polish in the same color on each nail, and she loved the look so much that she turned it into a set of press-ons that you can buy. The That Girl Press-Ons ($70) are custom-made for your nail size and are so popular that they regularly sell out, so you might have to be patient if you want to snag them.
21of 23Tortoise, Meet Chartreuse
@DISSEYNAILS
This take on tortoiseshell nail art brings the look together with French tips in one of fall’s hottest colors: chartreuse (Essie’s Handmade with Love Vegan Nail Polish, $10, in Piece of Work, is very similar). The result is absolutely luxurious.
22of 23Matte Plaid Nails
@RITAREMARK
As much as we love a glossy nail look, matte has its moment, too. Here, a matte finish adds a moody layer to a plaid French mani that’s perfect for fall. To mattify any nail look, try Essie’s Gel Couture Matte Top Coat ($13).
23of 23It’s Actually Cerulean
@POP_POLISHED
Last but not least, take a peek at these beautiful blue French tips. With a shade like this, even something as simple as a solid French manicure can make a major statement. Plus, the shade here reminds us of that iconic cerulean moment between Andy Sachs and Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. In that way, this mani is almost nostalgic, and we’re here for it.
