16 Trendy Short Nail Ideas and Colors for Fall

As autumn arrives with its golden leaves and crisp air, it’s the perfect opportunity to update your nail style with chic short fall designs. Whether you’re in search of simple and cute looks or more detailed nail art, this guide has everything you need. Explore a variety of colors and styles that align with the top short nail trends for fall 2024. Get ready to dive into the ultimate fall nail inspiration!

Green and Gold Fall Nails

This green and gold nail design is perfect for fall. The combination of deep green and gold accents creates a rich and luxurious look.

Consumables Needed:

Green nail polish (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Going Incognito”)
Gold foil or polish for the accents (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Glitzerland”)
Top coat for a smooth finish

Instructions:

Start with a base coat.
Apply the green polish to your nails and let it dry.
Add gold accents using foil or a fine brush.
Finish with a top coat to seal the design.

Pink French with Glitter Base

This design features a pink French manicure with a glitter base, combining classic and modern elements for a stunning look.

Consumables Needed:

Nude or light pink base polish (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Bubble Bath”)
Bright pink polish for the French tips (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Mod Square”)
Gold glitter polish for the base (e.g., China Glaze Nail Lacquer in “Golden Enchantment”)
Top coat for a polished finish

Instructions:

Start with a base coat.
Apply the nude or light pink base polish and let it dry.
Create French tips using the bright pink polish.
Add gold glitter polish near the cuticle area for a gradient effect.
Finish with a top coat to protect the design.

Bold Red with Leafy Accents

For a striking fall look, this bold red design with leafy accents is perfect. The combination of rich red and black leaves creates a dramatic yet elegant effect.

Consumables Needed:

Red nail polish (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Russian Roulette”)
Black nail polish for leaf details (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Black Onyx”)
Fine nail art brush for the leaves
Top coat for a lasting finish

Instructions:

Start with a base coat.
Apply the red polish to your nails and let it dry.
Using a fine brush, draw the black leaf patterns.
Finish with a top coat to seal the design.

Brown and Glitter Ombre

This brown and glitter ombre design is perfect for a subtle yet glamorous fall look. The gradient effect with glitter adds a touch of sparkle to your nails.

Consumables Needed:

Brown nail polish (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Chocolate Moose”)
Nude polish for the base (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Ballet Slippers”)
Glitter polish for the ombre effect (e.g., China Glaze Nail Lacquer in “Fairy Dust”)
Makeup sponge for blending the colors
Top coat for a seamless finish

Instructions:

Apply a base coat.
Paint your nails with the nude polish and let it dry.
On a makeup sponge, apply stripes of brown and glitter polish.
Dab the sponge on your nails to create the ombre effect.
Repeat until you achieve the desired opacity.
Seal with a top coat.

Pastel Floral Nails

This pastel floral design is delicate and perfect for those who love soft, elegant nails. The combination of pastel colors and floral art makes it ideal for a subtle yet stylish look.

Consumables Needed:

Pastel nail polishes (e.g., light green and peach)
Black nail polish for the floral details (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Licorice”)
Fine nail art brush for creating the floral patterns
Top coat for a smooth finish

Instructions:

Apply a base coat.
Paint your nails with the pastel polishes and let them dry.
Using a fine brush, draw floral patterns with black polish.
Seal with a top coat for added shine and protection.

Lavender and Leopard Print Accent

This design combines a soft lavender base with a leopard print accent nail, creating a unique and trendy look. The mix of subtle and bold makes it perfect for those who want to stand out.

Consumables Needed:

Lavender nail polish (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Do You Lilac It?”)
Glitter top coat (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Set in Stones”)
Leopard print nail stickers or a fine brush for details
Top coat for a smooth finish

Instructions:

Apply a base coat.
Paint your nails with the lavender polish and let it dry.
Apply the leopard print stickers on the accent nail or use a fine brush to create the pattern.
Add a glitter top coat on one nail for extra sparkle.
Seal with a top coat to protect the design.

Pastel Yellow with Abstract Swirls

This pastel yellow design with abstract swirls offers a soft yet modern look. The combination of pastel yellow and white swirls gives a fresh and clean aesthetic.

Consumables Needed:

Pastel yellow nail polish (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Chillato”)
White nail polish for the swirls (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Alpine Snow”)
Fine nail art brush for creating swirls
Top coat for a glossy finish

Instructions:

Apply a base coat.
Paint your nails with the pastel yellow polish and let them dry.
Using a fine brush, draw abstract white swirls on a couple of nails.
Finish with a top coat to seal the design.

Peach and Black Floral Nails

This design features a peach base with black floral accents and a touch of leopard print, combining elegance and a hint of wildness for a trendy fall look.

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Photo credit by: @nailjunkie.cheltenham

Consumables Needed:

Peach nail polish (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Peach Side Babe”)
Black nail polish for details (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Black Onyx”)
Fine nail art brush for the floral and leopard patterns
Top coat for a polished finish

Instructions:

Start with a base coat.
Apply the peach polish to your nails and let it dry.
Using a fine brush, create floral patterns and leopard prints on accent nails.
Finish with a top coat to protect the design.

Red and White Elegant Tips

For a sophisticated and chic look, this red and white design with glittery tips is perfect. The contrast between the bold red and white creates an elegant effect.

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Photo credit by: @unhas.delicaddas.dsg

Consumables Needed:

Red nail polish (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Russian Roulette”)
White nail polish for the tips (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Alpine Snow”)
Red glitter polish for the accent tips (e.g., China Glaze Nail Lacquer in “Ruby Pumps”)
Top coat for a lasting finish

Instructions:

Apply a base coat.
Paint your nails with the red polish and let them dry.
Add white tips and red glitter accents using a fine brush.
Seal with a top coat to protect the design.

Neon Swirl Tips

This design features nude nails with neon orange swirl tips, offering a modern twist on a classic look. The bright tips add a pop of color and fun.

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Photo credit by: @nailsbynell_

Consumables Needed:

Nude nail polish (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Samoan Sand”)
Neon orange nail polish for the tips (e.g., China Glaze Nail Lacquer in “Orange Knockout”)
Fine nail art brush for creating swirls
Top coat for a seamless finish

Instructions:

Apply a base coat.
Paint your nails with the nude polish and let them dry.
Using a fine brush, create neon orange swirl tips.
Finish with a top coat to seal the design.

Giraffe-Themed Fall Nails

This giraffe-themed nail design is playful and perfect for fall. The warm yellow and orange hues mimic the colors of autumn leaves, making it a unique and cute option for the season.

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Photo credit by: @shadi.ghorbani__

Consumables Needed:

Yellow nail polish (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Hay There”)
Orange nail polish (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “A Good Man-darin is Hard to Find”)
Black nail polish for details (e.g., Sally Hansen Hard as Nails in “Black Heart”)
Fine nail art brush for the giraffe details
Top coat for a glossy finish (e.g., Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat)

Instructions:

Apply a base coat to protect your nails.
Paint your nails with the yellow polish and let it dry.
Using the fine brush, draw the giraffe patterns with the orange and black polishes.
Seal the design with a top coat for added shine and protection.

Soft Lavender Nails

For a gentle and elegant look, try these soft lavender nails. This design is perfect for those who prefer a more understated yet chic style.

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Photo credit by: @bynatashad

Consumables Needed:

Lavender nail polish (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Lilacism”)
Top coat for a glossy finish

Instructions:

Apply a base coat.
Paint your nails with the lavender polish and let them dry.
Apply a top coat to add shine and durability.

Elegant Marble Accent

For a sophisticated and chic look, this design features a rich pink base with a marble accent nail. The marble effect adds a touch of elegance to the otherwise simple design.

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Photo credit by: @fram.alves_

Consumables Needed:

Pink nail polish (e.g., Essie Nail Polish in “Angora Cardi”)
White nail polish for the marble effect (e.g., OPI Nail Lacquer in “Alpine Snow”)
Fine brush for creating the marble pattern
Top coat for a glossy finish

Instructions:

Start with a base coat.
Paint your nails with the pink polish and let it dry.
Using a fine brush, create the marble effect with white polish on one accent nail.
Finish with a top coat to seal the design.

Lime Green and Silver Glitter

This lime green and silver glitter design is vibrant and fun, perfect for making a statement. The contrast between the bright green and glitter adds a playful touch.