Olive & June
Changing your nail polish color is one of the simplest ways to welcome a new month, and the mix of spooky, mystical, and cozy energy that defines October is the ideal inspiration. Trending jewel tones and vampy shades are in abundance, as are earthy finishes, elevated minimalism, and Halloween classics.
“Deep, moody shades feel especially right for October’s crisp nights,” says Zoya creative director Rebecca Isa. Instead of defaulting to basic black, she suggests edgier hues like inky navy and smoky violet. Meanwhile, nail artist and educator Sofi Mazur favors deep wine and earthy terracotta hues this month, and Olive & June trend expert and VP of content, Olivia Van Iderstine, makes a case for olive green and dusty red.
No matter your vibe, Isa encourages “[reaching for] rich tones with a touch of softness that make them edgier and more dimensional.” However, we also included a handful of muted shades for the minimalists among us. Ready to plot your next mani, be it spooky and vampy or earthy and refined? Ahead, peruse 12 October nail polish colors worth trying over the next few weeks.
Deep Wine
OPI
Dark, dramatic red nails for October are a must. “Fall always calls for moody reds, but this year, it’s about vampy sophistication,” Mazur exclaims. “Think mulled wine and candlelit dinners. It looks chic for both Halloween parties and cozy events.”
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Dusty Red
Essie
Looking for a slightly less dramatic fall update for your classic red mani? Reach for a dustier take on the traditional hue. “Red manis never go out of style, but the shade evolves season to season,” Van Iderstine explains. “This month, [try] a muted, dusty red with a dash of warm orange or a touch of scarlet pink. The dustiness softens the shade and makes it extra cozy—exactly how we want to feel in the middle of fall.”
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Muted Mauve
Londontown
Moving right along to shades of pink, we have muted mauve—a stunning neutral nail choice for those who want something different from their go-to beige or tan. “Nudes are warming up this season, and a rosy beige feels modern yet timeless,” Isa shares. “Dusty mauves, muted berries, and sienna reds feel rich yet relaxed, pairing perfectly with autumn staples like denim, tweed, and cashmere.”
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Terracotta
Manucurist
A burnt orange manicure is an October staple, year after year. This time around, Mazur says to reach for terracotta polish. “Fall leaves, pumpkin vibes—this shade adds color but stays in the fall spectrum,” she says. “It feels seasonal and festive without being too bright; it’s bold yet wearable, and works beautifully with gold jewelry and earthy fashion palettes.”
Celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein couldn’t agree more. “This shade makes me think of raw umber, which is just so October,” she says. “This mimics heavier textures like leather, making it a perfect transition for the new month.”
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Olive Green
Olive & June
Olive green pops so beautifully that it’s hard to pass up the shade. “The perfect deep October neutral is olive green,” Van Iderstine assures us. “This enigmatic shade works because it’s a touch of green, a little bit khaki, with a touch of brown, so it plays like a neutral. Not only is it chic, but it’s super on-trend because TikTok can’t get enough of olives and pickles.”
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Transformative Teal
Londontown
A jewel-toned teal mani will transform your nails for October, and you may just want to adopt the color for the rest of fall. “Deep jewel tones with green/blue mixes feel fresh,” Mazur says. “It’s a good alternative to navy or black, with more color but still fall-compatible. It’s perfect for those who want to experiment with color and try something new.”
Gerstein seconds that: “Transformative teal is the standout, signature color for all of fall this year,” she says. “It was seen all over the runways for fall/winter 2025. What I like about this teal is that it’s heavy and deep. While it can be worn glossy, matte gives even more of a nod to fall.”
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Slate Blue
Olive & June
The sky tends to get moodier each October, and a slate blue manicure will mimic that eerie yet cozy vibe in the chicest way possible. “Slate blue is our unexpected new neutral pick,” Van Iderstine says. “A 50/50 mix of gray and mid-tone blue, this shade is a total conversation starter. Plus, the cool undertones echo chillier temps.”
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Inky Navy
Olive & June
Going a bit deeper, inky navy veers ever so slightly toward black. “When the temps drop, we all reach for dark shades,” Van Iderstine says. “A true inky black is always chic, but a super dark navy for fall is still neutral—and gives your nails the confidence of a perfectly tailored suit.”
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Midnight Plum
@opi / Instagram
Prefer purple? Consider a rich midnight plum mani. “This shade captures the textures from the fall runways, as it [pairs well with the] velvet, boucle, and wool that are trending for October,” Gerstein reveals. “It’s a blackened purple but doesn’t read black—it’s still light enough that you’re seeing the purple creating a cozy vibe.”
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Chocolate Maroon
Manucurist
This midpoint between burgundy and chocolate brown is a beautiful manicure color for anyone who wants a fresh, trend-influenced take on the season’s moodiest hues. “Fall (especially October) is for vampy manis,” Van Iderstine says. “A dark maroon brown hits all the major mani trends in one color. It’s dark without being black, it’s warm without feeling too red, and it hits the cherry cola trend.”
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Wax Neutrals
@betina_goldstein / Instagram
Can’t get on board with a rich pop of color this October? Don’t fret: You can still embrace the month’s trends with a waxy neutral nail look. “The new nude looks more waxy, like parchment paper, for a sepia feel,” Gerstein says. It works well with both sheer and opaque finishes; just be sure to opt for a polish with a subtle wash of color, such as warm cream, ballet slipper pink, or a similar shade.
Taupe Beige
Manucurist
Last but not least, we have taupe beige, which Mazur calls a ‘quiet luxury‘ color. “It’s subtle but high impact,” she says. Of course, you’ll want to shade match to your skin tone, as some taupes might wash you out.
