Joan Collins Manicures You Can Copy Right Now For The Perfect Fall Nails

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Joan Collins, Hollywood icon and diva, knows how to nail the perfect manicure, particularly when it comes to autumn. The nonagenarian knows a thing or two about style; after all, she's been in the spotlight for nearly 70 years, rising to fame in the 1950s thanks to hits like "The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing" and "Island in the Sun." For Collins, this star power is accompanied by a keen sense of style, and she shows it off with her taste in fall manicures, among many other areas. 

Collins follows both predictable and unpredictable styles when it comes to autumnal nail sets. She's predictable in the sense that she loves a classic red manicure, something fitting and expected. For end-of-fall manicure colors that transition seamlessly into winter, red is a big hit. Even more interestingly, Collins loves a short nail once in a while, though the star does rock long nails when she wants. And there are several fall manicure trends that look fabulous on short nails. Collins is no stranger to a short red manicure, being just one of her many great manicure looks for autumn that are easy to replicate.

Joan Collins stunned in a snazzy nail look on September 21, 1986, at the Emmys in Pasadena, California. She posed with William Daniels, stealing the spotlight in a metallic gold dress with a plunging neckline. Her nails had a long, squoval shape, carrying a bright poppy-colored polish. The nails were glamorous and perfectly suited such a festive September night.

While short square nails are trending, Collins' look brought in the excess of the '80s into the picture and flipped the short trend upside down. Long square/squoval nails have a bold, structured shape that exudes confidence and deliberate styling choices. So, recreate Collins' manicure with a long, square nail shape. Opt for a cheerful red color with a hint of orange, like OPI's Classic Lacquer in Cajun Shrimp. Essie's polish in Geranium is another great option for achieving Collins' high-voltage '80s manicure.

Joan Collins proved that she's a red gal through and through when she attended the "Salute to Hollywood" Benefit at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on September 18, 1987. To create some contrast against her teal gown, Collins opted for a classic red manicure. The choice looked dazzling with her diamond bracelets and sensational dress. 

Once again, Collins rocked a square nail shape, more defined, though not quite as long as she wore the previous year. And instead of a poppy-esque polish, Collins rocked a classic red — a perfect choice for fall. To replicate Collins' perfect autumn manicure, go for a medium length with a square shape and lean into a traditional red tone. Revlon's nail enamel in Revlon Red is as classic as it gets. Or check out OPI's classic lacquer in Big Apple Red. For some added customization, consider some favorite ways to put a twist on classic red nails. But for a tried and true winner, stick with Collins' foolproof nail formula.

Joan Collins proved that short nails have a place among the most flattering fall manicures. In November 1995, Collins posed for photos in her home in Century City, California, showing off an unexpected nail look considering her track record with long nails. For this shoot, Collins wore very short, practical nails, but kept things festive with a bright red polish.

Collins' nail expert, Leighton Denny, told Good Housekeeping in April 2026 why Collins loves red nails in the fall and why she often — though not always — sticks with darker colors. "In winter, hands can look a little dull or uneven, so pale or sheer nail shades don't always look flattering," Denny explained. Take a note from Collins and Denny and keep things bright in the cooler weather. Essie's nail polish in Tomato Tomahto is a good option. Sally Hansen's nail polish in Augmented Red-ality would also help to nail this look (pun intended).

When Joan Collins isn't rocking a version of a red manicure in the fall, she changes it up with something classic and neutral. On September 15, 2025, in London, England, at "The Producers" West End Opening Night, Collins was a vision in shades of white. To complement her monochromatic look, Collins chose the trendy milky rosé manicure and wore her nails at a medium length in a soft oval shape.

While a creamy neutral pink might not be the most traditional choice for fall, Collins proves that sometimes, the unexpected choice is the best one. A milky rosé manicure is a flattering choice because it's clean and minimal, blending a translucent, milky finish with a soft blush undertone. So for something different in the fall, copy Collins' manicure. OPI's Infinite Shine polish in Bubble Bath achieves this look well. Meanwhile, Essie's Topless and Barefoot polish is another good option.