I really like that you can still see the natural nail underneath. It gives you a deeper autumn colour without the heaviness of a fully opaque dark manicure.
Cranberry Active Glow Nail Polish for a Gloss finish, Nail Strengthener and Growth - Manucurist | Ulta Beauty
I love the translucent finish of this one. You get a proper green tint, but because the nail still shows through it feels much fresher than an opaque dark green.
Green Jelly Nail Polish, Quick Dry, Non-Toxic Nail Polish with Gel-Like Finish - Manucurist | Ulta Beauty
This is the brown I want when beige and taupe feel too safe. It’s dark enough to make a statement but still softer than going straight to black.
Mocha
I like the idea of getting the glossy gel-like finish without turning a manicure into a whole process. The brown shades are especially good for autumn.
It's Topless 1 Step Gel-Like Manicure Nail Polish - Nails Inc. | Ulta Beauty
This is the sort of red I always come back to once autumn starts. It’s deep and polished without becoming so dark that it looks almost black.
Changing of the Guards Lakur Enhanced Colour Nail Polish - Londontown | Ulta Beauty
The soft blue shades are especially good for autumn and winter.
Giselle It's Topless 1 Step Gel-Like Manicure Nail Polish - Nails Inc. | Ulta Beauty
I love the subtle shimmer in this. It gives the deep purple a little more dimension and makes it feel different from the very dark crème shades I already own.
Lincoln Park at Midnight OPI's Most Requested Collection Nail Lacquer - OPI | Ulta Beauty
There’s a reason this colour keeps coming back. It reads almost black at first glance but has that deep purple underneath, which makes it much more interesting.
Lincoln Park After Dark Nail Lacquer Nail Polish, Purples - OPI | Ulta Beauty
I love this when I want a very dark manicure but don’t actually want black. The green still comes through enough to make it feel intentional.
Off Tropic
This is a nice change from the browns and burgundies that dominate every autumn. It still feels rich and dark, but the garnet colour gives you something slightly different.
Grenat Green Nail Polish, Quick Dry, Non-Toxic Nail Polish with Gel-Like Finish - Manucurist | Ulta Beauty
I love seeing a proper blue among all the predictable autumn nail colours. This is bright enough to notice without feeling like a summer pastel.
Kim It's Topless 1 Step Gel-Like Manicure Nail Polish - Nails Inc. | Ulta Beauty
This is such a good option if you like the idea of blue nails but don’t want an opaque blue manicure. The translucent finish keeps it light and lets the natural nail show through.
Active™ Glow Blueberry
I love all the unusual colours around at the moment, but a clear glossy red still looks incredible. Incendiaire is the kind of classic colour I’d wear with absolutely anything.
147 INCENDIAIRE LE VERNIS Longwear Nail Colour - CHANEL | Ulta Beauty
I like that this isn’t another flat wine crème. The shimmer catches the light without turning it glittery, so it still feels polished.
This gives you that translucent milky base without covering the natural nail completely. I especially like it with a very fine silver tip rather than a traditional white French manicure.
Milky White Green Nail Polish, Quick Dry, Non-Toxic Nail Polish with Gel-Like Finish - Manucurist | Ulta Beauty
This is the slightly pinker version I’d choose when plain milky white feels too stark. It gives the nail a clean glossy finish while still looking natural.
Milky Pink Green Nail Polish, Quick Dry, Non-Toxic Nail Polish with Gel-Like Finish - Manucurist | Ulta Beauty