The fake blood's been scrubbed off, the trick-or-treating candy has been eaten, and suddenly your Halloween mani feels a little out of season. But fear not! There are tons of fun autumnal nail ideas out there that help ring in the season of cozy sweaters and holiday celebrations.
Sometimes November can feel like that awkward middle child for manicures; too cool for pastels, but too soon for Christmas nails. But there are actually so many designs and manicures that are ideal for this exact time of year (and are sure to bring in some compliments at the Thanksgiving table).
So, whether you're after something quietly chic like a moody manicure or craving a little pattern play to match your striped sweaters, these November nail ideas will carry you through the next month of sunsets before 5 p.m. Ahead, the best November nail trends to save for your next salon appointment.
Plaid Nails
Plaid nails are the perfect mix of cozy and chic—like a fall flannel or scarf, but in manicure form. Go for an accent nail or a full plaid set with any fall color combination.
Striped Sweater Nails
Match your mani to your favorite fall sweater with this cute striped design. Go for stripes just on the tips for a French-inspired finish, or cover your nails in all-over lines for the full cozy effect.
Red Wine Nails
There's nothing like curling up by a crackling fire with your comfort meal and a glass of red wine in hand on a chilly winter night—and these nails embody that cozy November vibe.
Burnt Chrome Nails
These mirrored nails are so cute for November to match every leaf that's turned into a crisp orange hue.
Hot Chocolate Nails
When I think of a color for November it's immediately a moody brown—it just embodies all the hot chocolate vibes.
Autumn Gemstone Nails
If you want a luxe manicure for Thanksgiving, I'm personally obsessed with these golden gemstone nails. It's got the autumn-esque stones that remind me of fruity jams and desserts on a fancy holiday tablescape.
Contrasting Polka Dot Nails
This color combo takes a warm-toned fall brown and gives it an unexpected cool partner. It's bold yet balanced for those who like a bit of color year-round (aka me with my pink nails in the middle of the winter).
Tortoise Shell Nails
According to nail artist Tinu Bello, tortoise shell nails are a staple for autumn and winter. "The pattern has become a classic, offering a chic alternative to traditional animal prints," she says."You can get them as a full set, or as an accent paired with solid neutrals, earthy tones, or even French tips for a more understated vibe."
Soft Cashmere Nails
Milky white tones are a fresh mani for any season. I mean, nothing signals the transition into winter more than nails that look like freshly fallen snow and dreamy cashmere layers.
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, who is obsessed with her biweekly nail appointments. She's always on the hunt for the newest polish colors and design trends to keep Cosmo readers posted on the best manicure inspo.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she’s an expert in recognising the season’s next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You’ll usually find her putting TikTok’s recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it’s true). Find her also on LinkedIn.
