End-Of-Fall Manicure Colors That Will Seamlessly Transition To Winter

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

As temperatures drop and leaves start to fall, the seasons make their gradual turn from fall to winter. Fashion is moving from the cozy textures of fall into the heavy-duty warmth of winter styles. Nail  trends inevitably shift as the months pass, too. Bright pinks and milky nudes are resigned to summer, as the time comes for darker colors.

Luxe fashion trends in the wintertime because heavy layers mean touch-ability becomes a key part of sophisticated clothing, and much of winter manicures is about recreating those same feelings of comfort and indulgence on your nails. That's why rich colors feel particularly apropos. "A dark nail is like a great leather accessory," nail artist Holly Falcone told Vogue. "It's especially chic in the winter and translates through all the different holidays and events the season brings."

When you're thinking about transiting your manicure from fall to winter, the key is to move to deeper colors, and to play with textures in a way that feels more luxe and sumptuous. "Look for dark polishes that have some warmth and depth to create a moody and chic look," nail artist Lori Banks told InStyle. "These tend to look more flattering across a wider range of skin tones. The finish should look rich."

Fall is a perfect season for red nails. Autumn simply seems to call out for warm shades. But if you're looking for a fall shade that will carry you into winter then cherry cola nails might just be the answer. This shade is like the perfect update to classic apple red. It's got a similar charm to a Black Cherry manicure, which combines dark tones with the perennial charm of a red nail. In fact, nothing is more classic than a red nail. It's always in fashion; this is just way to modernize it — and bring it into perfect harmony with the seasons. "Cherry cola reds are trending because their deep, rich hue complements the colder weather, calling for layers and textures in fashion," celebrity nail artist Sarah Chue told InStyle. "What I love about cherry cola nails is it's basically just a richer, deeper tone of cherry red."

Since darker shades feel like a natural fit for the winter, cherry cola nails let you keep your red shade while still transitioning to a darker color. It naturally feels like it has more dimension, which makes it perfect for a season that's all about layering. In some instances, people even incorporate a little glitter into this manicure style; think: the fizzy carbonation in a glass of Coke. That makes it even more suited to winter, since a little red sparkle is spot on for the holidays. You can get this color with a shade like ILNP Cherry Cola; or, if you prefer gel polish, try OPI Nail Lacquer Classic in Como se Llama.

Winter typically calls for dark colored manicures: burgundy, plum, and even brown. If you love the pearly finish of glazed donut nails, then mocha glazed nails might just be the perfect coffee-inspired manicures to pep up your boring nail looks. Brown turns out to be an unexpectedly versatile nail color. "It pairs beautifully with both cool and warm complexions, looks elegant on every nail shape, and adapts easily to any finish — from high-gloss mirror shine to soft velvet matte or molten chocolate chrome," nail artist Sofiia Mazur told Harpers Bazaar.

This trendy nail look combines a soft taupe color with a chrome finish for an understated effect that feels perfectly seasonal. The brown feels on trend for fall while the shimmery finish reflects the freezing temps and adds a little holiday sparkle. If you typically stick to natural, nude shades, this can be a way to play with a little fall color while still staying true to your style. "I love brown nails, and I've been seeing more and more as a trend with all the '90s and 2000 revivals," nail artist Fleury Rose told InStyle.

You can create this look with a metallic flecked brown color like OPI Infinite Shine Nail Polish in Espresso Yourself, or you can layer a shimmery finish like essie Gel Couture Gel-like Metallic Glaze Top Coat Nail Polish over a soft brown like China Glaze Give Me S'More. Either way, you'll get a color that feels like a perfect way to transition from autumnal browns to winter metallics.

Mulled wine is a beloved drink when the fall season starts to ebb into winter. It sits perfectly between autumnal reds and dark winter tones. That makes it the perfect inspiration for transitional nails, since this color combines the deep wine red with a hint of spice. Its darkness is appropriate for the winter months with just a hint of spice to keep you warm. "Rich, elegant, and slightly mysterious for the colder season," celebrity nail artist Emi Kudo told Vogue. Wine-inspired nail colors are always a safe bet for fall, just like Malbec-toned nails are an elegant cold-weather manicure.

Mulled wine nails give you playful purple tones that are updated for the winter season. It's the perfect blend of color and darkness. Think of this as a rich wine hue that almost looks black in certain lights, but then reveals a deep dimensional color upon closer inspection. if you want a little extra glam, you can up the wow factor on mulled wine nails by adding a little glitter for extra depth or incorporating a cat eye finish. To get this color, look for a deep red-purple shade, like OPI Classic Nail Polish in Malaga Wine.

Glossy black nails are to winter what pearly nude nails are to summer: the perfect basic color that goes with everything. Given that dark nails feel like such a natural fit for the colder months, black truly is the ultimate winter time color. This manicure color can also boost your confidence according to the black nail theory.

But even if you're committing to a midnight dark black and going straight for the darkest color, you can still keep your nails feeling on trend. "Monochrome dark manis are always cool when you play with texture and matte elements," nail artist Fleury Rose told InStyle. It allows you to go black without it being boring. And it softens the intensity of a black manicure, which can look harsh and stark if it's too matte. "They are so rich that they starkly contrast with many skin tones, much like a black wardrobe does," nail artist Jin Soon Choi told Vogue.

Perhaps the easiest way to do this is by finishing your black manicure with a high gloss finish. That hard candy-feeling coating means your dark nails will still catch and reflect the light, and add a little shine and dimension to your outfits. The easiest way to get the effect is with a gel polish like Beetles Black Gel Polish. But if you're doing your nails at home and gel polish isn't an option, then consider a super shiny top coat like OPI Mirror Shine Nail Lacquer Top Coat.

Lush, luxurious velvet is the ultimate winter texture. But don't just add it to your wardrobe. Similar to the cat eye manicure, velvet nails feature tiny magnetic particles that give them an extra dimension. As a result, they look both shiny and soft at the same time, much like velvet fabric.

The beauty of velvet nails is that they are simultaneously luxe and subtle. Metallics might seem like an obvious choice — the holidays are in winter after all — but the subtle shimmer of velvet nails will give you a similar effect while feeling even more modern. Consider it an update on your classic gold manicure. You'll feel festive, and way more on trend. The glamorous finish means those same colors are sumptuous enough to carry you straight through to holiday season. While velvet nails won't actually have the same softness of a velvet fabric, they can certainly evoke the same sumptuous feeling.

You can add a velvet effect to most shades of the rainbow, which means you can add a little rich texture to your go-to autumnal manicure colors. "Deep emerald, navy, ruby, and amethyst with a soft, velvety, light-absorbing finish. It feels rich and wintery without being overly 'holiday,'" celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein told Harpers Bazaar. It's even possible to recreate velvet nails at home with the right products, like Beetles Brown Cat Eye Gel Nail Polish in Velvet Cinnamon.