12 Pumpkin Spice Nail Ideas To Try This Autumn
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2 weeks ago
We have a latte love for this quirky nail trend
It’s official: pumpkin spice season has arrived. And when you’re not spicing up your usual coffee order, rearranging your home decor or changing up your hair colour, why not turn your attention to a seasonally apt manicure? It’s all about pumpkin spice nails at the salon this autumn.
What Are Pumpkin Spice Nails?
‘Pumpkin spice nails essentially channel those bold earthy shades associated with fall,’ explains Lynn Mason, a nail expert at Mavala. ‘It mirrors the fall foliage and cosy aesthetics of autumn.’
‘Think of it as a rich, deeply curated colour palette,’ adds Leighton Denny MBE, nail expert and founder of Leighton Denny Nails. ‘We look beyond basic orange and embrace luxurious, muted tones like terracotta, deep amber and soft cinnamon brown. People are opting for a more refined “pumpkin finish,” focusing on sheerer and burnt oranges and bronze accents, which makes the colour instantly sophisticated and far from in-your-face.’
@thenaillologist Pumpkin spice marbled nails for autumn/winter 🍂🤎✨ Such an easy way to create a gorgeous, professional looking design 😋 Step by step description: • after applying your builder gel base, select the colours you want in your marble • put blobs of each colour onto your mixing palette and swirl them into each other • apply a layer of blooming gel to the nail (this one is from @Madam Glam NY ) and don’t cure •pick up the swirled gel using a flat brush and drag across the nail • leave the colours to bloom out until you are happy and then cure for 60 seconds • apply a no wipe top coat and cure for 60 seconds #marblenails #nailtutorial #autumnnails #winternails #brownnails ♬ original sound – gilmore girls
And with autumn just around the corner, we can finally settle into the season’s guiltiest pleasure. Searches for pumpkin spice nails have once again hit peak popularity on Google, while over on TikTok millions of videos have amassed under #fallnails.
‘This trend is a favourite because it addresses both our emotional and sartorial needs,’ comments Leighton. ‘Emotionally, these warm, deep colours are instantly comforting and familiar – the perfect antidote to the sudden chill in the air.
‘Aesthetically, they are an absolute powerhouse,’ he continues. ‘The blend of rich tones ensures they are a uniquely flattering and versatile choice. They complement the autumn wardrobe beautifully, harmonising with camel, navy, deep mocha, and khaki green. They don’t clash – they complete. It’s a reliable, polished choice that instantly makes your look feel current and perfectly put-together.’
How Are Nail Artists Reimagining The Trend?
While pumpkin spice nails might conjure up images of a plain orange manicure, Leighton emphasises that there’s much more to the trend than you might first find. ‘To keep this annual staple feeling cutting-edge, artists are focusing on high-end textures and clever placement, ensuring the look remains decidedly luxe,’ he explains. ‘The most significant shift is the use of vibrant pumpkin-orange tones paired with sophisticated finishes – think gold foil accents and bronzed or glazed top coats. This elevates the manicure, adding reflective depth and subtle warmth, perfect for an elegant seasonal transition.
‘At the same time, there’s a move toward neutral, sheer, luxe pumpkin shades,’ he adds. ‘These softer, orange-tinted tones are used for refined, artistic statements – think deeper orange nail tints or subtle spice shades. It’s a chic, confident application of colour that feels both modern and timeless.’
Can You Request Them At The Salon?
Pumpkin nails are easy enough to ask for at the salon – especially if you’re only after a solid colour manicure. Simply ask your nail tech for an autumnal shade, like the ones listed above.
If you want to push the boat out with some nail art, then be prepared to be more specific with your request. Bring in reference images and have a clear idea of the artwork, finish and nail shape you want.
How To Recreate The Look At Home
When it comes to slid colour, you can simply recreate pumpkin spice nails by apply an orange or earthy polish. There isn’t a specific shade attached to this trend, which gives you the freedom to find one that best suits your skin tone and preferences. ‘What’s great about this trend is its versatility,’ agrees Lyn. ‘From matte finishes to glossy, glitter-infused topcoats, these shades can be adapted to suit different moods, styles, and skin tones.’
You can also quickly elevate your pumpkin spice manicure by combining it with another booming trend: chrome nails. You can get an idea of the process in the below video by @amberjhnails_ on TikTok:
@amberjhnails_ Sunset chrome🌅✨ Chrome powder linked in storefront in bio #chromenails #orangenails #nails #biab #summernails #thegelbottle #nailtrends #nailtutorial ♬ Summer Rain – Le Parody & Gizmo Varillas
To achieve this look, apply your polish as usual and, once dry, rub chrome powder over the top. Seal it all in with a top coat and you’re good to go.
Pumpkin Spice Manicure Ideas For Autumn
1. Solid Pumpkin Nails
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2. Latte Manicure
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3. Ombre Shimmer
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4. Glass Nails
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5. Modern French
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6. Cat Eye
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7. Mix & Match
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8. Pumpkin Swirl
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9. Colour Scale
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10. Spice Swirls
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11. Rhinestone Finish
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12. Aura Nails
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Featured image: @pearliepressed on Instagram
