16 Trendy Fall Shellac Nail Ideas and Colors You’ll Love

Fall is the ideal season to try out fresh nail designs and vibrant colors, especially with the long-lasting appeal of shellac nails. Whether you’re drawn to bold, dark tones or prefer understated and chic shades, fall shellac nails offer something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll showcase the top designs and colors for 2024, complete with detailed descriptions and expert tips to help you achieve these looks at home. Let’s explore the hottest trends and discover your next go-to manicure style!

Fiery Red and Elegant French Manicure

This stunning nail design combines the boldness of a fiery red with the classic elegance of a French manicure. The vibrant red nails are eye-catching and full of energy, while the French tips are softened with a golden glitter curve, adding a touch of luxury. The square shape enhances the sophisticated yet playful nature of the design, making it perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions.

Consumables:

Anita Nail Polish in ‘Vai Casar’
OPI GelColor in ‘Alpine Snow’
Golden glitter nail polish
CND Shellac Top Coat
LED/UV Lamp

How to Create:

Start by filing and buffing the nails into a square shape.
Apply a base coat and cure under an LED lamp.
Paint the French tips with OPI GelColor in ‘Alpine Snow’ and cure.
Add a golden glitter curve just above the French tips and cure.
Paint the remaining nails with Anita Nail Polish in ‘Vai Casar’ and cure.
Finish with a top coat for a glossy and long-lasting finish.

Blue Waves and Metallic Accents

This nail design is a perfect blend of artistic expression and chic elegance. The base is a soft nude color, with bold blue wavy lines sweeping across the nails. Silver metallic beads are strategically placed along the waves, adding a three-dimensional effect and a touch of glamour. The medium-length almond shape enhances the overall sophistication, making this design suitable for both casual and formal occasions.

Consumables:

CND Shellac in ‘Nude Knickers’
OPI GelColor in ‘My Car Has Navy-gation’
Metallic nail beads
Gelish Top It Off
Nail art brush

How to Create:

Prepare the nails by shaping and buffing them.
Apply a base coat and cure under an LED lamp.
Paint wavy lines with OPI GelColor in ‘My Car Has Navy-gation’ and cure.
Place metallic beads along the waves and secure them with a top coat.
Cure for a glossy and durable finish.

Glittering White French and Floral Elegance

This design combines the classic French manicure with a touch of sparkle and delicate floral accents. The nails feature a glittery nude base with a crisp white tip, accented by a 3D white floral design on one nail. The square shape adds to the timeless appeal of this design, perfect for brides or any elegant event.

Consumables:

Essie Gel Couture in ‘Lace to the Altar’
CND Shellac in ‘Cream Puff’
3D floral nail art decorations
LED/UV Lamp
Nail glue

How to Create:

Shape the nails into a square and apply a base coat.
Apply a glittery nude polish and cure under an LED lamp.
Create a French tip with CND Shellac in ‘Cream Puff’ and cure.
Attach the 3D floral decorations with nail glue and cure.
Finish with a top coat for a lasting shine.
Seal with a luxe top coat for a glossy finish.

Electric Blue Waves

This vibrant electric blue nail design is perfect for those who love to make a bold statement. The addition of subtle wavy patterns in a lighter blue adds a dynamic and artistic touch. The short, square shape is practical and stylish, making it a versatile choice for various occasions. This design is ideal for showcasing the colors of 2024, with a modern twist on classic blue tones.

Consumables:

OPI GelColor in ‘Do You Sea What I Sea?’
Essie Nail Polish in ‘Butler Please’
Nail art brush for wave designs
LED/UV Lamp

How to Create:

Shape and prepare the nails, then apply a base coat and cure.
Apply two coats of OPI GelColor in ‘Do You Sea What I Sea?’, curing each layer.
Use a nail art brush to create wavy patterns with Essie ‘Butler Please’.
Finish with a top coat and cure for a glossy and durable finish.

Playful Orange and Blue Contrast

Combining vibrant orange and deep blue, this nail design is a playful and eye-catching choice for fall. The blue nails are adorned with tiny specks of gold glitter, adding a touch of sparkle. The contrast between the warm and cool tones creates a visually striking effect. The square shape and medium length are both chic and functional.

Consumables:

CND Vinylux in ‘Desert Poppy’
OPI GelColor in ‘Yank My Doodle’
Glitter top coat from China Glaze
Nail fine and buffer

How to Create:

File and buff the nails, then apply a base coat and cure.
Paint alternate nails with CND Vinylux in ‘Desert Poppy’ and OPI GelColor in ‘Yank My Doodle’.
Add a layer of glitter top coat to the blue nails and cure.
Seal with a top coat and cure for a long-lasting finish.

Mystical Purple Sparkle

For those who love a bit of glam, this mystical purple nail design is perfect. The deep purple base is complemented by a fine shimmer, giving the nails a luxurious and magical appearance. The square shape is classic and versatile, suitable for both casual and formal settings. This design showcases the beautiful fall shellac nails trends, with a focus on rich, dark colors.

Consumables:

Essie Gel Couture in ‘Turn ’N’ Pose’
CND Shellac Top Coat
Fine purple glitter
LED/UV Lamp

How to Create:

Start by shaping and buffing the nails.
Apply a base coat and cure under an LED lamp.
Apply two coats of Essie Gel Couture in ‘Turn ’N’ Pose’, curing each layer.
Add a layer of fine purple glitter and cure.
Finish with a top coat for a dazzling finish.

Elegant Snake Print and Matte Black

This sophisticated nail design features a combination of snake print and matte black, creating a chic and edgy look. The intricate snake print design on two accent nails adds a touch of luxury, while the matte black nails provide a modern contrast. The stiletto shape enhances the overall elegance of the design, making it perfect for those who want to make a statement.

Consumables:

OPI GelColor in ‘Black Onyx’
Snake print nail decals
Matte top coat from Essie
Nail file and cuticle pusher

How to Create:

Shape and prepare the nails, then apply a base coat and cure.
Apply OPI GelColor in ‘Black Onyx’ to all nails and cure.
Apply snake print decals to two accent nails.
Finish with a matte top coat for a sophisticated look.

Dark Cherry Allure

A deep cherry red is a timeless choice for fall, exuding warmth and sophistication. These nails have a rich, glossy finish that enhances the dark, seductive hue. The almond shape adds elegance, making this design perfect for special occasions or a night out. It’s a classic color that never goes out of style, making it a staple for any nail polish collection.

Consumables:

Risqué Gel Nail Polish in ‘Rebu’
Impala Gel Nail Polish in ‘Destinos Cremoso’
Gelish Foundation Base Coat
LED/UV Lamp

How to Create:

File and shape the nails, then apply a base coat and cure.
Apply two layers of Risqué Gel Nail Polish in ‘Rebu’, curing each layer.
Finish with a glossy top coat for a long-lasting shine.

Fiery Red and White Leaves

This design combines fiery red nails with delicate white leaf accents, creating a stunning contrast. The bold red color is eye-catching and perfect for fall, while the intricate leaf designs add a touch of elegance. The long, almond shape enhances the overall sophistication of the design. This look is perfect for those who love vibrant and unique nail art.

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Photo credit by: @dagmara.zajac_

Consumables:

CND Shellac in ‘Wildfire’
White nail art pen or brush
Essie Gel Couture Top Coat
Nail file and buffer

How to Create:

Shape the nails into a long almond shape and prepare them for polish.
Apply a base coat and cure under an LED lamp.
Apply two coats of CND Shellac in ‘Wildfire’, curing each layer.
Use a white nail art pen or brush to draw delicate leaf designs on a couple of accent nails.
Finish with a top coat for a glossy and long-lasting finish.

Vibrant Blue Short Nails

For a pop of color, these vibrant blue short nails are perfect. The bright blue shade is bold and eye-catching, ideal for making a statement. The short, rounded shape is practical and versatile, making this design suitable for everyday wear. The simplicity of the design allows the color to be the main focus.

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Photo credit by: @diana.dianails

Consumables:

OPI GelColor in ‘My Chihuahua Doesn’t Bite Anymore’
CND Shellac Base Coat
OPI Infinite Shine Top Coat
Buffer and file

How to Create:

Start by filing and buffing the nails.
Apply a base coat and cure under an LED lamp.
Apply two coats of OPI GelColor in ‘My Chihuahua Doesn’t Bite Anymore’, curing each layer.
Finish with a top coat for a glossy and long-lasting finish.

Soft Pink Almond Elegance

These soft pink nails offer a subtle and elegant look. The delicate pink shade is perfect for those who prefer a more understated and classic design. The almond shape enhances the overall sophistication, making it suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions.

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Photo credit by: @dovenailsbysharon

Consumables:

CND Shellac in ‘Beau’
Essie Gel Couture Top Coat
Nail file and buffer
Cuticle oil

How to Create:

Shape the nails into an almond shape and prepare them for polish.
Apply a base coat and cure under an LED lamp.
Apply two coats of CND Shellac in ‘Beau’, curing each layer.
Seal with a top coat and cure for a glossy finish.

Wild Leopard and Matte Green

This bold and playful design features a combination of leopard print, matte green, and classic French tips. The mix of textures and patterns makes this design eye-catching and unique. The leopard print brings a wild and adventurous vibe, while the matte green adds a modern twist. The long, coffin shape adds to the drama, making this design perfect for those who love to stand out.

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Photo credit by: @manii.maniaczka

Consumables:

OPI GelColor in ‘My Private Jet’
DND Gel Polish in ‘Emerald’
Matte top coat from Essie
Leopard print nail decals
Nail file and buffer

How to Create:

Shape the nails into a coffin shape and prepare them for polish.
Apply a base coat and cure under an LED lamp.
Apply OPI GelColor in ‘My Private Jet’ and DND Gel Polish in ‘Emerald’ on alternate nails, curing each layer.
Add leopard print decals to the designated nails.
Finish with a matte top coat and cure for a sophisticated finish.

Deep Burgundy Almond Nails

These deep burgundy nails are a perfect example of sophistication and elegance. The rich, dark color is perfect for fall and adds a sense of mystery and allure. The almond shape elongates the fingers, enhancing the overall elegant appearance. This design is versatile and suitable for any occasion, from casual outings to formal events.

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Photo credit by: @rukamanicurarussa

Consumables:

OPI GelColor in ‘Malaga Wine’
CND Shellac Base Coat
Essie Gel Couture Top Coat
Nail buffer and file

How to Create:

Shape the nails into an almond shape and buff the surface.
Apply a base coat and cure under an LED lamp.
Apply two coats of OPI GelColor in ‘Malaga Wine’, curing each layer.
Finish with a top coat for a high-shine and durable finish.

Classic Deep Red Nails

A classic deep red manicure never goes out of style. These nails feature a rich and glossy burgundy color that exudes sophistication and class. The short, square shape adds a practical and timeless element to the design, making it suitable for everyday wear or a special occasion. The deep red shade is perfect for fall, adding warmth and elegance to any outfit.