15 Ombré Nail Looks That Are Cozy, Simple, and Perfect for Fall

The Gist

• An ombré manicure can present in a multitude of ways, as long as a gradient of color is evident.

• "Skittle nails" are the simplest to pull off, building the tonal gradient from one fingernail to the next. Shade-shift techniques are a bit more complex, expertly blending multiple colors on one nail for a mesmerizing effect.

• Opt for dark hues, moody jewel tones, rich gourmand shades, and gold chrome accents to catapult an ombré nail design into the autumnal season.

Vacations are wrapping up, sweaters are making their return, and back-to-school season is officially underway. Ahem , fall will be here in no time. As manicures shift from summer brights to moodier tones , we're entering that tricky in-between period—and luckily, ombré nails work beautifully no matter the season.

"Ombré nails are so great because you get to really experiment with color," says celebrity manicurist and brand founder Deborah Lippmann . There are a few interpretations of the popular nail design, but two techniques reign supreme: a Skittles-esque fade, which features a different shade on each nail, and a shade-shift ombré, where colors seamlessly blend together on each individual nail. However you choose to embrace the trend, you can count on an eye-catching manicure. Even better for your fall nail dream, it's an easy look to DIY .

Of the two techniques, skittle ombré manicures are the simplest to create at home. Simply select five coordinating polishes and paint your nails one by one to create a gradual color progression. If you have a bit more time on your hands, consider the sponged-on approach for a shade-shift effect. "Make sure you use a clean sponge when you work on your ombré technique because you don't want to get residual paint from other manis, as it will ruin the look," Lippman points out. "And be careful trying to fix the ombré effect. As the nail polish dries, you might ruin the whole look if you keep passing the sponge over the fresh paint."

Whether you lean subtle or bold , there's a fall ombré with your name on it. Keep scrolling for 15 manicurist-recommended ombré nails for fall to inspire your next manicure.

Meet Our Expert

• Deborah Lippmann is a celebrity manicurist and brand founder of Deborah Lippmann .

• Mazz Hanna is a manicurist and the CEO of Nailing Hollywood , an agency that represents the top talent in the nail industry. 

• Marnae Orton is a Senior Artist and Educator at nailsaloon in Washington, D.C. 

• Olivia Van Iderstine is Olive & June 's mani trend expert and vice president of content.

01 of 15

Gilded Glaze

Orton is also a fan of chrome ombré manicures. For a more subtle effect, she recommends pairing gold chrome powder over a sheer pink or nude base. "Metallic chrome is still reigning supreme in nail trends, so why not use it as an ombré?" she says. "Gold chrome ombré is the perfect vibe to kick off the holiday season."

02 of 15

Apple Picking

This stunning set blends rich maroon with earthy sage for a manicure that's as fresh as a just-picked apple. The mix of French tips, aura accents , and soft ombré adds plenty of dimension while keeping the look cohesive and undeniably autumnal.

03 of 15

Glammed Out

A little Y2K nostalgia never hurts. This colorful square set blends pink, red, purple, green, blue, and orange into dreamy ombré fades, with scattered gems adding just the right dose of throwback sparkle.

04 of 15

Glazed Berry

Lippmann loves berry tones and chrome finishes. When the two trends come together, it makes for a rich autumn ombré nail look.

05 of 15

Midnight Navy

"This ombré design uses deep navy and rich indigo that reminds us of a twilight sky transitioning into night," Orton says. "It's a bold and sophisticated look for the transition of the winter season." Or, it can be the perfect Halloween mani—especially if you add bats to the mix.

06 of 15

Cosmic Cuticles

Who wouldn't want a little bit of stardust at their fingertips? This cosmic manicure concentrates a glittering web of silver sparkles at the base of the nail and diffuses into pitch-black tips for a celestial finale .

07 of 15

Woody Autumn

Olive & June's mani trend expert and vice president of content, Olivia Van Iderstine, loves a fall skittle ombré mani. "To get this look, you just want to pick your favorite fall shades at random and paint them," she exclaims. "Don't worry about undertones or anything—this is all about a fall feeling." Here, you can see how well brown, black, orange, and cocoa tones come together. Plus, you can add wood-like details to take your manicure into nature territory .

08 of 15

Chocolate Dipped

This brown-to-beige ombré gives the illusion of nails that have been dipped in chocolate. Plus, they're topped with a reflective chrome powder for added interest.

09 of 15

Matcha Latte

If the onset of autumn makes you want to hold a warm beverage, try pairing your drink with these matcha latte ombré nails, complete with a milky white top shade that evokes the foamy layer of the cozy fall drink.

10 of 15

Blushing Beauty

For minimalists , a soft pink ombré is hard to beat. The barely there gradient melts from a natural-looking base into rosy tips, making it a perfect neutral option for occasions and events that call for something a little more understated.

11 of 15

Subtle Jelly

"This look by [Nailing Hollywood artist] Priscila is rich and bold with a subtle ombré effect towards the tips of the nails due to the jelly finish on the polish," says manicurist and Nailing Hollywood CEO Mazz Hanna. "The warm brown tones are so perfect for fall."

12 of 15

Wild Side

Why choose one fall nail trend when you can wear them all? This maximalist set mixes teal, orange, and green ombré with glossy black nails, croc accents, twinkling stars, and silver balls for an eclectic manicure that keeps the eye moving.

13 of 15

Amber Sparkle

Metallics and chrome remain a must in the nail-art world. "This chrome ombré look by Laura is perfect for fall," Hanna says. "The warm rose gold tones have just the right amount of glow to give off cozy autumn vibes." FYI: You can create the little sparkle accents using a dotting tool, nail art brush, and white polish.

14 of 15

Mocha French Illusion

These French illusion nails are as cozy as can be. With a luscious brown shade shift that's flipped between the base and tip, the design could put your favorite barista's foam artwork to shame.

15 of 15

Vampy Tips

French manicure , but make it brooding. This vampy rendition seamlessly blends a vixen-red base with diffused black tips for a nail design that's bound to turn heads.

Read the original article on InStyle