“Cherry Noir” Nails Are Taking Over for Fall 2026

While there’s nothing like a good vacation or general warm weather manicure, I will say that fall is the season for the nail girls. There’s something about a hand peeking out of the perfect sweater that really trains the eye to focus in on nail art, so if you’re looking for a time to perfect the polish... this is it.

This fall in particular, the theme is moody. Thanks to stars like Anne Hathaway and our long-lasting love of all things ‘90s, “Cherry Noir” manicures are trending. Keep reading to discover everything there is to know about the look, including how to get it yourself.

The “Cherry Noir” Nail Trend

Last fall, the girls were all about moody ‘90s manicures. This year, it looks like we’re headed in the same direction. It’s not hard to understand why—when it gets a little colder out, we often swap the bright teals and lychee pinks of summer out for our nail polish comfort colors. Deep reds will always be a comfort color. And though we could call them “black cherry” shades... doesn’t cherry noir sound so much better?

Besides its name, there’s also something inherently sexy about the color itself. Chanel’s Rouge Noir (previously Vamp, and it is indeed very vampy) has been a go-to since 1994, and looks nice on absolutely everyone. Every polish brand seems to have a similar color going on (again, it’s a classic!) so no matter your preference, you can find the cherry noir for you.

Where You’ve Seen It

Earlier this fall, Anne Hathaway showed up at the premiere of Verity with a high-drama Cherry Noir mani. Her look was the work of celebrity manicurist Mo Qin, who named the set and chose Essie’s sultry Model Clicks Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish as the polish to make it happen.

“We chose a deep, dark red for Verity to bring a slightly mysterious and dramatic feeling to the nails, tying the look back to the mood of the film and her character,” Qin shared in a press release.

However, the actress certainly isn’t the only star who’s been giving the look a spin. We’ve long known certain celebs to favor the shade (think Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker) and constantly see it pop up on red carpets.

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Get the Look

As long as you have a steady hand (dark reds aren’t super forgiving when it comes to spot removal), this is a super easy look to tackle at home. According to Qin, you’ll start by applying Essie’s Strong Start Base Coat to bare nails. Then, throw on two coats of your rich, dark red polish of choice (like Model Clicks!) and seal the look with Gel by Essie Shiny Top Coat.

“Finish with Apricot Cuticle Oil to hydrate and nourish the cuticles,” the artist explains.