In some kind of remarkable time-warp plot twist, it’s already November. And while it feels like we were just predicting and obsessing over bright and fluttery shades like blue, pink, “Watermelon Sugar,” and every other hue on our spring/summer nail agenda, fall is here, and winter (don’t bemoan the messenger, please) is on the brink.
Luckily, we derive a lot of satisfaction from curating a fresh, new, compliment-inducing polish aesthetic each season, so the emotional blow of cooler temperatures and fewer hours of daylight is slightly softened by the idea of having more time for our self-care and at-home mani rituals. November is smack-dab in the middle of fall fever, so even though we’re not quite ready to go full-on holiday with our nail aesthetic, we’re ready to lean into the rich festiveness of the season.
That said, we never want to be overly predictable with what we’re wearing on our tips, so we’ve scouted all the best nail polish brands and all of their sparkling, just-launched collections for the crème de la crème November nail color options. Here, we’ve found 15 covetable colors that fit the spirit of the season but are far from overplayed. Keep scrolling! We’re sharing our favorite of-the-moment November nail colors just below.
Love shades of mustard or bright goldenrod? For November, a nail color reminiscent of a honey-infused graham cracker is a smooth and sweet transition.
We suggest spiking everything from your drink to your nails with a warm kick of cinnamon this November. This shade called Canyon Clay is currently in our cart.
It’s not quite red and not quite pink, and we’re in love with how demure and glamorous this satiny rose pink looks for fall.
Something just feels celebratory and fun about taking a classic shade of berry and making it dazzle with a hint of extra shine. This long-wearing formula from Essie epitomizes the vision.
Signature fall shades like royal blue, navy, and frosty periwinkle might immediately come to mind once the temperatures start to dip, but we’re keen on switching things up with an unexpected pop of vibrant turquoise. We’re champing at the bit to paint our tips with Olive and June’s new winter polish called Yes Please.
Moody shades of dark red, brown, and purple are no strangers to our regular November nail polish roundup. But this year, we’re scouting for something with a little more edge—something like Chanel’s mysterious varnish called Rouge Noir. It’s a deep, slightly witchier alternative to your average bottle of cherry red.
Dubbed “OMG” (yes, O&J’s winter collection is so good we couldn’t stop at just one), this is the ultimate shade of deep azure for November. It’s a little less black than your typical navy polish, which really makes it pop on every skin tone.
Don’t get us wrong—we’ll never neglect our classic bottle of glossy black. But this November, we’re enchanted by OPI’s Shine Bright Collection and this sparkling black flecked with silver.
ICYMI: Brown nail polish has been the ultimate comeback kid this season, and every single brand has been debuting its own festive version. All are sublime (the color is surprisingly flattering and versatile), but for the holiday season, we want something like ILNP’s warm, rich, crystallized hue called Dash of Cocoa.
Ripe, juicy shades of purple and plum are the quintessential nail stuff of autumn. This year, however, keep it fresh and less predictable by finding a shade with cool (aka more gray or blue) undertones rather than warm ones like OPI’s.
White, like all of our other go-to chic neutrals (nude, black, gray), is a fail-safe classic. Of course, the stark-white hue is great any time of the year, but there’s something about a sheer, opalescent version that just kind of screams fall and winter, no? We’ve been smitten ever since we laid eyes on Call Me Poetry by Smith & Cult—a sheer pink with light-gold pearl.
There are two types of people in this world: those who will eagerly wear green nail polish and those who, well, just won’t. That said, we have a hunch even the most verdant-averse members of the population will want to dip into this glimmering shade of olive. The look feels art deco–esque, whimsical, and totally in line with November cozies. Oh, and it reminds us of our favorite cocktail order.
Metallics are synonymous with holiday cheer, and the moment the clock strikes November 1, we have classic shades like gold, silver, and bronze on regular rotation. Rose gold, however, is the must-have dark horse this nail season, and this fine-crushed hue from Zoya is the best iteration we’ve seen so far. It’s a rich rose gold mixed with slight tinges of orange, making it truly one of a kind.
Remember what we said about green nail polish? Even if you’re not into other trendy hues like emerald, mint, slime, or moss, Gucci’s new Old Hollywood–inspired take just might convert you. It’s bright and bold and, honestly, reminds us of a frothy matcha latte—a vibe we’re not mad at once the temperatures start to dip.
Would you judge us if we said it’s a life goal of ours to own every single bottle of JinSoon’s cult-loved nail lacquer? It’s not a new hue, but the brand’s blue-violet shade of indigo is forever a part of our November nail polish lineup. If you’re not into darker shades like navy or royal blue, we highly recommend this best-selling option in lieu. Up next, 12 Fall Nail Colors That Look Especially Great on Brown and Black Skin. This story was published at an earlier date and has been recently updated.
