The air has a fresh smell, the leaves are crunching under our shoes, the coffee-shops are smelling of cinnamon and nutmeg. However, in terms of beauty, what are we doing with the warm-meets-glam energy of the month of November? One of the simplest forms of seasonal reflection is in nails and, frankly, they should be given no less emphasis than scarfs and coats. Should not our manicure be a continuance of the warmth of fall and its dramatics? That is what I will be delving into today designs that combine deep colors, silver-gold undertones and a touch of holiday magic.
A story is told by every one of these looks, through the use of either fiery abstract lines or soft ombré gradients. Some talk of sunsets of gold, some talk of feasts so close by. And the best part? It is not some passing fads. They are functional, wearable and rather diverse to use in everyday life. So when you are willing to polish your nails before the Thanksgiving dinner parties and warm evenings in, here is your just right dose of inspiration.
Flames of Autumn in Modern Style
Burgundy, plum, and red-hot orange–this pattern takes fall on the run. The nails are glossed in solid colors, which are solid glossy but what is most striking is the underglaze of faint flame strokes in sharp white. It is bold but lighthearted, as the light of a dusk bonfire. The nail is a mini canvas, with a combination of energy and warmth, which will be ideal to those who are not satisfied with having a single shade this season.
What I would use to achieve this manicure is OPI Malaga Wine, Essie Playing Koi and a nail art liner in white such as Orly Instant Artist in Crisp White. The balance of richness and brightness of these shades and the thin brush ensure that it becomes much easier to draw any details. A shiny coating overcoats the glossy finish and makes everything smooth.
It is easy, and only takes a steady hand: apply base color to each nail, allow to dry, and apply the liner to create flame shapes using freehand starting at the cuticle and fading upwards. Nail artist, Betina Goldstein once stated that nail art did not have to be perfect but with personality. That is something I always bear in mind when I am working on bold patterns such as this.
Personally, I am a fan of this style since it is not too young yet not too overboard. It is cute and compliments but not too fancy to wear with a sweater dress or fitted blazer. Is not that balance precisely what we shall have in November?
Golden Leaf Ombre
This nail polish is the essence of an ideal fall afternoon in a bottle. The nails are smoothly transitioning between a deep maroon to a shining golden yellow and with a fine detail of metallic leaves. It immediately brings back to me a walk in a park when the trees are displaying their final burning colors. The design is both holiday and down-to-earth, and classy without being over-the-top.
To get this appearance, I would apply Zoyas Pepper as a maroon base and put some China Glaze Sun Worshiers as a blend into the tips. Metallic leaves may be cut using foil nail stickers or stamping plates- brands such as MoYou London produce lovely botanical designs which stamp on with ease. Topcoat is a matte finish to soften the finish and provide the velvety touch.
The blending section is the most difficult: you need to sponge the paler shade onto the ends in layers, adding more and more, until it appears smooth. When the gradient has dried, put the foil accents in place using a pair of tweezers. Brand celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik frequently refers to nail foils as a simple method of making patterns appear expensive with the least effort- and he is correct.
I adore the combination of textures here: smooth ombré and metallic lustre and it is pure November perfection. I am already seeing this mani over a latte cup or glass of wine at a dinner party.
Sunset Glitter Fade
It is a manicure that reminds you of November sunsets so that you can feel it on your fingertips. The gradient is offered in deep maroon to burnt orange, with a sprinkling of glitter to make it sparkle festively. The playful twisting of the playful ombré is made softer with tiny details at the cuticle. It is romantic, seasonal and ideal in evenings out.
Recreation To capture this I would suggest China glaze Harvest Moon as the orange shade and OPI Got the Blues as the Red shade mixed at the ends. In the case of the sparkle a glittering layer of Essie Set in Stones works miracles. The mini heart accents can be easily added to silver with the help of a detail brush.
The texture is essential: sponge the ombré so that it blends without any lines and do the glitter drops in thin strokes at the top. It is emphasized in Nails Magazine, that the location of glitter is the only thing between a sloppy and a classy look and, in this case, it is necessary to be subtle.
What I like about this design, is the fact that it can be used in both daily and party glamour. It is as though it is a rejoicing about the season without being excessive.
Burgundy and Gold Luxe
The combination of burgundy and gold is one of the few combinations that scream fall luxury. The base of this design is rich red wine with golden glitter fade at the ends. It is quite easy but definitely glamorous, reminding of the beauty of the holiday parties and the intimate candlelit dinners. This manicure is suitable to every November event.
The the necessities here are Zoya sample of the burgundy base and a loose gold glitter polish such as Empire by ILNP. Using a sponge or dabbing brush to apply the gold helps it to be organic, and not too sharp. All shine with a glossy topcoat.
It is simple to apply: rub on the burgundy first, then allow to dry and lightly dab the glitter on the tips, and concentrate more towards the edge, and less as you go upwards. Nail artist Rita Remark frequently tells her fans that gradients are everything about patience and that is the case in this matter.
To me, this is the type of manicure that makes you feel like you are putting on a silk dress, you automatically feel better. It is an old time November decision.
Warm Gradient Glow
This design has a warm effect, changing to the shade of crimson red at the end, and then fading to the shade of amber at the ends. The gradient appears to be nearly molten glass with a smooth finish of the glass. It is quite audacious but comfortable, and it makes me think that in the fall when the light is golden and the air is crisp.
I would apply OPI Malaga Wine as the red base and Essie Meet Me at Sunset as the amber shade to make it. The secret of passing over is sponging–one coat at a time till the gradient is smooth. Gel topcoat also increases the shine and durability.
This method may be daunting, but all you need to do is to leave the layer to dry and apply another one. Ombré nails take time to create, as manicurist Deborah Lippmann likes to say, it is not a race. Following that recommendation makes the appearance shiny and professional.
As an individual, I love this design because it is simple and effective. It does not require glitter, any decals and additional details, it is firm on its own. And the least is sometimes memorable.
Fiery Ombre Flames
This design is a blend of a black to orange ombre which fades into flame tips. The slope is nearly living, as autumn fires, or candle-light at nightfall. I also like the fact that it creates adequate drama without being overpowering the type of manicure that makes hands an ornament.
To duplicate this you will need a good pigmented gel such as the OPI Black Onyx as well as a hot orange like the Playing Koi by Essie. An advanced nail art brush is necessary to draw the flames in an upward motion blending in so the gradient appears seamless. A shiny top finish preserves the shine and makes sure the effect is smooth, as opposed to rough.
In the cases where I have experimented with similar flame nails, I have found it to be the easiest to apply a sponge as the base of the ombre, then use a liner brush to apply the flames. Celebrity nail artist Chaun Legend has commented on the importance of a sharp brush in work with fire motifs- he believes in the precision tools.
In my case, I turn to such designs when I am tired of wearing neutrals and I want to make even the most basic outfit purposeful. It is so satisfying to watch a flicker at the end of your fingertips every time you pick up your cup of coffee.
Molten Copper Sparkle
This manicure is created by mixing black lacquer with copper glitter that is flaming with passion, creating the effect of molten metal that is flowing through the darkness. It would suit any glitter-lover who does not want the appearance to yet turn into the glitter of the holiday. It stays solidly in November because of the warm undertones.
To this style, I would suggest ILNP, Copper Top, and Zoya, Autumn, with a jet black base such as black heart of Sally Hansen. To add the glitter polish it is sometimes best to use glitter polishes in a single layer as this can appear chunky, but you can always apply a second layer of glitter afterwards. There is a gel top coat that provides that reflective shimmer.
It is not a tough application, but time is the key. We are always reminded by nail pros that it is better to have a thin layer of polish than one that is thick- Deborah Lippmann, a celebrity manicurist, has stated that it is possible to layer sheer polish to make it sound richest. I have that in mind when I desire a glossy finish.
I cannot but think that this design should be in some warm and friendly cocktail-bar, glimpsing the light in a copper mug. It is fancy but does not strain too much, and that is what November is all about.
Golden Leaf Elegance
Here we find a dark caramel-brown background colored with fine golden maple leaves. It is a tip of the hat to all things we adore about autumn the changing of the leaves, the warmness and the romanticism of the sunset. It can be further enhanced with fine glitter, which makes it even more festive, such as November evenings when a person is about to prepare Thanksgiving.
Gold leaf nail stickers or stamping plates are a savior to get this look. Such brands as Born Pretty have even more detailed designs of autumn leaves, whereas Essie has a similar brown base in her design called Clothing Optional. Copper glitter such as that of China Glaze, Harvest Moon, gives that glittering nugget.
At home I would do this first with the brown polish applied and then apply the foil stickers on a tacky polish lightly, then apply the top coating. Other pros suggest tweezers to have more control- it does indeed assist in preventing messy placement.
When I have gold leaf nails, people will always question me whether they are hand painted and that is the fun. They also have such a sophisticated, almost craftsmanship vibe, that they are among my favorite November nail concepts.
Red and Orange Midnight Leaves
The black nails are given a bold make-over in red and orange leaf designs. The contrast is strong, nearly gothic, but dimmed down by the fall motif. This design to me is like walking into a canopy of maple trees at night when the leaves are still glowing in the dark.
This should be made by stamping plates the prettiest autumn designs of which you could find at MoYou London, or by free hand with thin brushes, should you be patient. The colors are well captured in polishes such as OPI’s, big apple red and a good man-darin is hard to find. That sharp contrast cannot be compromised by anything other than a jet-black gel base.
The procedure is straightforward: the black gel has to be cured first, followed by stamping or painting of the leaves, and finally a glossy seal has to be applied. Nail tech Tom Bachik frequently claims that black nails are the best canvas upon which to create art and this design makes him correct.
I personally enjoy such type of night manicure. It is trendy and yet seasonal, such as wearing leather shoes with a warm scarf–you are having both moods together.
Multicolor Fall Mix
This design is a combination of deep burgundy, gold shimmer, forest green and mustard yellow all combined with fine leaf accents. It seems frolic but sophisticated as the patchwork of colors when you are walking in a park at the end of November.
To achieve this eclectic mix, I would select colors such as Zoya hunter, which is green, OPI Malaga Wine, which is burgundy and China glaze, which is gold digger. The gimmick in this case is harmony: to make each nail different but to make all the nails of the same palette (autumn). Leaf decals provide stickiness to the work, and a glossy upper surface makes it all appear purposeful.
Back home, I would recommend to paint each nail with a different color, but leave the leaf accents on one or two nails. This does not overload the design yet it expresses creativity. One of my manicurist Betina Goldstein’s greatest tips is that less is usually more in combining patterns- it should be the colours speaking.
The reason I like this manicure is that it makes me think of changing scarves and coats every day in accordance with the weather-it is always versatile, fun, and never dull. Individually, each nail is a personality, however, collectively they narrate the story of November.
Olive and Cream Golden Leaves
The mixture of natural greens and the fresh neutrals is something that will always be timeless, and this nail design embodies it well. The creamy white and deep olive base makes a natural background and the copper-gold leaf details are subtle enough to make the entire appearance look both sophisticated and natural at the same time. It is a style that is comfortable in nature but quite upscale enough to suit a dinner party or holiday get-together.
To re-create this manicure, I would lean into polishes of the brands I trust such as OPI or Essie. As far as the base is concerned, it would be great utilizing such colors as OPI’s “Suzi Loves Cowboys” (a muted earthy brown-green) or Essie’s “Urban Jungle (a soft off-white). The leaf accents may be stamped using metallic foils or stamping plates, brands such as MoYou London produce incredible leaf-pattern stamping plates, and copper stamping polishes sold by Born Pretty provide that reflective finish but do not overpower the base.
Any time I attempt designs of the kind I do it in stages: first put a coat of each colour of base, then add the leaf imprint made by a clear stamper with metallic polish, and then use a top coat of gloss to cover it all. In Allure, celebrity nail artist Jin Soon once wrote that metallic details cannot be applied without a shiny top layer, or these details would not shimmer, which I could not disagree with.
This is the most versatile manicure to me personally. It can move smoothly through a warm coffee date into a holiday party and this is the kind of balance that I would need in November.
Warm Matte Autumn Palette
This collection is my equivalent to falling into a warm fall sweater in the terracotta, burnt orange, and deep plum color with almost three dimensional motifs of embossed leaves on it. The general impression is warm, textural and very autumnal. It is the type of manicure that is not merely matching your knitwear, it is an extension of it.
To achieve such a look at home, matte top coats (I believe in Essie Matte About You) and high pigmented polishes are needed. In the case of colours, such tones as Zoya’s Spencer (warm caramel), OPI’s My Italian Is a Little Rusty (terracotta), and Deborah Lippmann’s Single Ladies (deep wine) are the perfect ones. The embossed leaf effect is much easier to achieve with the help of a fine detailing brush or stamping plate.
When I do actually attempt matte nail art, I use the tips of manicurist Sarah Gibson Tuttle of Olive and Junes, who has noted on several occasions in interviewing her that a matte finish reveals every detail. That is why the trick is to put on thin even coats and not hurry between layers. It makes all the difference.
This is the kind of design I would put on when I want my nails to seem a part of the season- like putting on boots and going out in the fall to take a brisk walk through the fall leaves.
Dark Purple and Gold Branches
Dark and gloomy, but with an element of luxury–this manicure is November extravagance. On a glossy plum bottom is placed a royally golden nimbus, as though a piece of jewelry to the nails. It is striking without being loud and it is inspired to wear to candlelit dinners or evenings when you need your hands to be in the limelight.
To achieve this, a base coat such as the OPI, Lincoln Park After Dark or the Essie, Berry Naughty is ideal in this scenario. In the case of the gold accents, I would make them with nail art foils or metallic striping polish. I have also had success using the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri “Go for Gold” that can be applied with a detail brush.
Celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik frequently states that contrast is one of the most important aspects of nail art: metallics will look brighter on a dark background. Using that wisdom in this case, the plum ground causes the golden details to shine like fire.
In my case, this appearance is very strong and assertive. It is not your typical manicure, it is one that you get when you want to feel like you are entering the holiday season with class.
Bland with Silver Flowers
This manicure is characterized by soft pinkish-nude colour with silver botanical touches, which makes it a light, but elegant touch. It is not too seasonal, yet the metal detailing provides it with a festive touch just enough to do it right in late fall. My favorite thing is its high level of subtlety and shimmer- it is ideal when one prefers to have underrated beauty with a twist.
Any decent nude polish such as Essie’s Ballet Slippers, or Zoya Rue, is a good start. Then the leafy metallic accents can be introduced with the assistance of chrome powders or silver stamping polishes. Nail artist Betina Goldstein usually demonstrates such minimal but metallic appearances on Instagram, which proves the fact that minimal details can transform neutral tones into something magical.
Although it is such fun with bold design sometimes this type of clean manicure is a breath of fresh air. I think it is an excellent work outfit, yet remains fashionable enough to wear into Thanksgiving or early holiday, events.
Black and Gold Luxe French
It is the elegance of black and gold especially during the colder seasons. This is a manicure that alters the traditional French tip with matte black undertones, glossy golden edges, and filigree-shaped swirls and twists. It is daring, royal and, completely statement-making.
In this style, a matte black finish is essential- a good staple in this style is either Chanels Pure black or Essies licorice. I would do it with gold nail foils or chrome powder under precise brush in order to get those gilded ends. The swirl detailing is possible through stamping plates or hand painted using a fine brush by anyone who is sure about nail art.
Nail pro Miss Pop one told Harper Bazaar that nail art is jewelry on its own, and I believe that this design illustrates that. The matte black is dramatic and the gold reflects the light in the fanciest manner.
When I put on black-and-gold nails I automatically feel more refined. They transform even the simplest outfit into the one that feels like it is a curated and carefully thought-out one – exactly the type of upgrade that I would enjoy once November hits.
Midnight Blue Elegance
Deep navy colours in November are always lavish, and the design is a good combination of mystery and softness. Others are covered with matte midnight blue, others with the effect of feathers in lighter colours, with small white dots. It reminds me of the frosty nights when the first signs of winter have come but it is still fall. The combination of textures matte and hand-painted detail form a raised finish.
In this appearance, I would have used OPI Russian Navy as the darker base and Essie Bikini So Teeny mixed with white as the strokes of the feathers. Fine liner brush is needed to get the finer details. To add the richness of the blue and leave the feathers crisp and visible, a matte topcoat is added.
Making feathers at home is a process that requires time: one has to begin with a thin white line running along the center, followed by strokes that are dragged towards the sides in the shape of a fan. Nail experts will always tell you, the thinnest layers are the friest of friends and that is indeed the case here because excess polish may tend to blur the lines.
It is like putting on a coat of velvet when wearing this manicure. It is daring, dark and just the right nail to have at the beginning of November as it gets colder.
Holiday Greens with Berries
It is a balance between autumn and Christmas with pine-like foliage, tiny red clusters of berries and a gentle white backdrop sprinkled with shimmer. It is charming but gracious, as the ornaments just begin to show up in the windows of shops, when still fresh in our memory. The small snowflake accents do not remove the warmth in the season yet hint at what is coming.
To do it again, I would begin with Zoya Snow White to use as a base and add greens such as OPI Stay Off the Lawn!! to make the foliage. The clusters of the berries can be created with the help of a dotting tool, and glitter polish takes it to the next level. This can be done under holiday get-togethers without chips with gel polish.
The green branches are best painted out with a detail brush at the first, and the berries at the end, so as to make them appear nice. Manicurist Julie Kandalec is fond of focusing on several layers of the nail art to keep the elements crisp, and this design can prove her point.
I like this mani since it is festive and not in a hurry but still it is fall but there is that slightest wink of the magic of December. Good to use on days in a fuzzy sweater when watching holiday movies in the background.
Coffee Break Charm
This is a manicure that directly appeals to the hearts of all people who enjoy a latte. The base is made of soft beige that is decorated with finer floral lines and cute coffee cup patterns. It is light but refined, as bringing some of your favorite cafe and keeping it with you all day. It is a little story you can put on your fingertips, and, to be perfectly honest, even in November, mornings seem a little more special.
The most suitable shades to use in this design would be Essie Topless and Barefoot as a neutral canvas and the brown and black detailing polishes on the line art. In the case of the cup, a precision nail art brush or white gel pen works miracles. The point is that they should not overcrowd on the nail with drawings.
It is the kind of design decals can save time in. You may also free hand, but you must be steady-handed–then begin with the flowers, and then add the coffee cups upon a nail or two to encumbrance them. These motifs are novice friendly with nail art stickers by brands such as Whats Up Nails.
I am in love with the personal quality of this design. It is adorable, but not childish, cool without being overly fashionable, and ideal when one thinks of fall in the form of hot drinks and warm habits.
Falling Branches
This design embodies the beauty of the month of November in the most basic manner: pure nude polish as the background, sprinkled with beautiful branches that bear little orange leaves. The appearance is tender but animated, which evokes in my mind the final few colorful leaves that stay on trees before winter arrives. It is not too emphatic but seasonal and attractive to the eye.
I would begin with OPI Bubble Bath as a foundation to do this. In the case of the branches, the brown striping polish looks good, but the leaves are finished with orange shade such as Essie Playing Koi. A shiny topcoat makes the dimension more attractive and provides the design with permanence.
The art consists in accuracy: paint the branches with a very delicate brush, then drop in some very small strokes, in the form of teardrops, to represent the leaves. Celebrity nail artist Miss Pop frequently says that negative space designs give the nails a lengthening effect, and I believe that is absolutely the case here.
This manicure is soothing to me personally. It does not shout out but it is poetic, as in walking quietly in November. But sometimes plain is the prettiest thing to do.
Red Umbrella Days
The following manicure is fun and nostalgic: the bright red nails are combined with the accent patterns of small umbrellas and falling leaves. It is daring and jovial and reminds us of the rainy autumn days when we were jumping over puddles in colorful coats. I appreciate how it combines lighthearted drawings with one of the conventional, self-assured colors.
OPI Big Apple Red is the most appropriate base to this. A sheer nude like Essie Bare With Me is used on the accent nails to make the illustrations clear. The umbrellas and leaves will be done with fine nail art pens in blue, orange, and yellow–they are just the right colour to contrast with the red.
It is a design, which requires some waiting time and does not have to be perfect. Painting by hand is beautiful, and things that are not perfect can add even more to the authenticity of the painting. Nail-artist Sarah Bland has said that nail art is emotionally reaching through character and this design makes her right.
This is the mani I would choose when it was a gray November day and I needed a bit of happiness. It is colourful, seasonal and is certain to be looked twice when you take a mug of tea in your hands.
Crisp Red and White Autumn Leaves
This nail polish is as bold and as it is clean: the bright red nails are complemented by a clean white base with orange and yellow leaves. It is joyful but seasonal almost a celebration of those few remaining color leaves on the trees before winter strikes. I think this appearance refreshing since it is not too dark and helps to add some brightness to the gloomy days of November.
In order to achieve this, I would begin with a base of pure white polish, like OPI’s Alpine Snow, and a red that is actually red, like Russian Roulette by Essie. In the case of the leaves, stamping plates or the decal prints can save time, but hand- painting with acrylic nail paints in orange and yellow can be used to give the artisanal touch. The colors are brightened and durable because of a glossy gel top coat.
This is a very easy method, only that it needs time–apply the base colors, cure or leave to dry, and add the leaf accents afterwards. The concept of clean color blocking in nail art is something pro nail artist Jin Soon Choi frequently focuses on because it works: each color is more vivid when it has clean edges.
I am a fan of this kind of outfit during the Thanksgiving week because it is festive yet easy enough to wear it with daily clothes. When I come across designs such as this I get reminded that a few times, simplicity with one or two of those accents, can make the most impact.
Whimsical Fall Tree Art
This is a manicure that literally tells a story: the nail is covered with tiny branches of trees with many-colored leaves in red, yellow, green, and orange. It is capricious, almost like having a miniature autumn on your fingernails. The design is artistic and can be worn by everyone who likes something special in November.
In the case of polishes, you need to begin with a nude or beige base, a nude polish like Taya by Zoya is suitable. A dark brown or black polish can be used in a fine nail art brush to draw the branches of the tree. Then, the dots may be used, or even the end of a bobby pin may be used to attach the colored leaves. I would settle on the red of Coca-Cola by OPI, yellow of Pippa by Zoya and green of Mojito Madness by Essie.
It may seem like an overwhelming process, but it is actually more accessible than it may seem. Simple, start with the bottom, make your branches, and then use little dots where leaves. The nail professionals also recommend the application of several sizes of dots to give a sense of dimension which is exactly what makes this style so lively.
In my case, this type of design is nothing but a delightful activity- it is fun and it reminds me of scribbling trees in a notebook when I was a child. It is like carrying a work of fall art around all day in November and people will certainly question where you had them done.
Fall nail designs, however, are not just a seasonal access, especially as November drags on: they become miniature representations of how we want to feel at the very end of the year, before winter has completely reached us. Be it burning colors, or metallic foils, or whimsical art, which leaves you smiling, the perfect manicure can bring the heat of autumn into your daily life. Then why not use your nails as the last accessory to fall? Now how about this–which of these designs would you attempt first?
