Source Images: Courtesy of @paintedbycourtney, @nailzzbyannie, @jadedgel Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Let’s face it: We contain multitudes. You have a sun and a moon sign for a reason. You can be both soft and powerful. Accomplished and in development. Independent and, at times, needy. Fall nail art trends are an ode to contradictions—to taking something expected and making it, well, unexpected.
The word “aura” implies a super-luminous light, but now they come in darker shades. Dark aura nails are glowy yet moody—perfect for witching season. A French manicure has had a second life this year, adorning the nails of every “clean girl” on the internet. But add a bright, cheeky, jelly base and it somehow becomes both buttoned-up and carefree. Gunmetal chrome is cool and edgy, but add whimsical polka dots , and you are both a femme fatale and coquettish. Likewise, wrapping your fresh manicure around an ice-cold martini is a classic look, but nails to match the garnish adds a saucy wink.
You don’t have to be one thing. You can be everything all at once. We asked the experts to break down this fall’s nail art trends where you’ll find opposites attract to create a gorgeous effect.
Courtesy of @vanityprojects Courtesy of @avrnailswatches Courtesy of @nailzzbyannie Courtesy of @artnailnyc Courtesy of @vanityprojects Courtesy of @heapsgoodnails Courtesy of @heapsgoodnails Courtesy of @chuenails You might not want to hear that you have a “dark aura,” unless, of course, we’re talking about your nails. For a manicure, a moody gradient in deep autumnal hues is mysterious and witchy , the kind of dark-hued fingertips that make a perfect accent topper for potion brewing.
“It’s a solid-colored background with an ombré in the center of the nail,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist Sarah Chue . And in true home-brewed fashion, Washington DC-based nail artist Rosemary says this look is surprisingly easy to DIY. You’ll need two shades—one lighter than the other. Darker palettes like merlot to candy-apple red, forest green to sage, or navy to misty denim blue are what you’re going for here. They can be different hues of the same color family, or you can mix and match with contrasting or complementary colors.
Use the darker shade as your base color and cover the entire nail. Next, dip a dense makeup sponge in water and squeeze out the excess moisture. Paint the lighter color onto the sponge and dab it onto the center of your nail. A clear topcoat will naturally smooth out the spongy texture left behind and leave you with a smooth, glowy aura.
Courtesy of @ohmynailsnyc Courtesy of @nishinails Courtesy of @fanessdetroit Courtesy of @estherrezvani A jelly French is the slightly more dressed-up version of this summer’s sheer, playful jelly nail colors . Like throwing on a pair of heels to magically elevate your outfit, adding a colorful tip to the jelly base (or vice versa) is elegant in a but-I-still-love-rollercoasters kind of way.
“It still feels classic, just a little less traditional,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist San Sung Kim . “The contrast between sheer and opaque gives the manicure more depth and makes even really bright colors feel wearable.”
“Paint the nails with one coat of a jelly base and apply an opaque polish of the same color as the French tip,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist Bana Jarjour , who likes the combo of Essie Half Full, a translucent ruby purple, with OPI Malaga Wine, a deep raspberry. “Paint one…