BRB, Getting a Chocolate Brown Mani Immediately
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Every single year, my first fall manicure is, without fail, chocolate brown. The second the weather starts cooling down, I trade my pink summer mani for something a little moodier, and rich cocoa nail polish is pretty much made for the job. It gives peak cozy girl energy, looks expensive AF, and is, as far as I'm concerned, the perfect neutral for autumn. Plus, "chocolate brown" spans a whole range of shades: There's plenty of room to make the trend your own, from creamy milk chocolate to dark espresso manis (and if my girl Sabrina Carpenter has taught us anything, it's that there's always room for a little more espresso). "They're the perfect warm color to transition into fall," says nail artist Ramon Duran , who says this shade also reminds him of the changing colors of the leaves.
If your fall mood board includes sweaters, lattes, and flannel blankets by the fireside, this manicure belongs on it too. Chocolate brown is also having a big fashion moment this fall, from dresses to trousers , so it only makes sense that your nails should match. Read on for some expert tips to get the chocolate brown nails of your dreams, and then keep scrolling for some fun inspo pics.
How to wear chocolate brown nails
Chocolate brown nails can be as simple or extravagant as you want, so let your personality shine through with them. Because brown is a neutral, it can act as a starting point for more nail art (think chocolate brown French manis , chocolate brown polka dots , and sooo much more). If you can't decide where to begin, Duran recommends his favorite way to wear the toasty shade: "Add chrome to it and glaze it," he says. "This definitely elevates the look for a more luxurious style." If you wanna take things to the next level, he also likes to "use the brown to do classy Frenchies with a glaze."
Regardless of what style you choose, start with good nail and cuticle prep (push back and hydrate those cuticles, moisturize your hands, and make sure your nail beds are totally clean and dry before applying polish). The rich fudge shade is at its best when it's ultra-glossy, so consider the prep non-negotiable. Dry cuticles and uneven edges can stand out more against this deep, saturated shade, so taking the time to prepare your nails makes your mani look even more luxe. If you're shopping for a new nail polish shade to achieve a hot cocoa-inspired manicure, Duran often reaches for OPI Nail Lacquer in Brown to Earth , Presto LED Gel in Dark Chocolate , or DND Gel Polish in Cherry Mocha .
What about nail length and shape?
Just a quick note on nail length and shape for chocolate brown nails. Good news: They "look great on all shapes," says Duran. Shorter, more classic shapes seem to be trending this fall, but you truly can wear your brown mani however you'd like. "There's something about a short almond that looks so classy and clean," he adds.
Chocolate brown nails inspo pics
Need some ideas for your chocolate brown mani? Feel free to screenshot these for your next nail appointment.
@themaniclub
@samrosenails
@tamaminails
@overglowedit
@samrosenails
@craftedbyaprince
@amyle.nails
@craftedbyaprince
@themaniclub
@amyle.nails
@overglowedit
@tamaminails
@craftedbyaprince
Meet the expert
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Ramon Duran( @craftedbyaprince ) is a nail artist and creator in Orange County, CA.
Why trust Cosmopolitan ?
Catharine Malzahnis a contributing beauty writer at Cosmo . She's covered and tested all things nails, from the coolest new polish colors to cuticle and nail care trends. For this story, she tapped nail artist and creator Ramon Duran for his expertise and recommendations for chocolate brown nails and found inspo photos from salons, celeb nail artists, and polish brands.
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