Moody, Sweet, and Luxurious-Looking—Rum-Raisin Nail Trends Are Set to Be Popular This Autumn

      As autumn arrives, mauvy, moody colors become my go-to neutrals—an unshakable guideline for my wardrobe, makeup kit, and of course, my manicures. The latter is arguably the simplest to change quickly, as trying out a new nail trend doesn’t require a complete transformation—just a beautiful polish and plenty of inspiration. Fortunately, there is an abundance of cozy, luxurious-looking manicure styles available, but right now, I'm particularly drawn to one trendy nail color: rum raisin. Experts agree that this rich shade will be popular on everyone's nails this autumn (and beyond), so keep scrolling to stay informed.

      Rum raisin essentially describes a berry mauve tint. Picture the deep, cinnamon-like color from Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick or Revlon's famous TikTok Super Lustrous Lipstick (which is actually named Rum Raisin!), but for your nails instead of your lips. "It's very '90s," remarks celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec, noting that the cool, "greyed-out" mauvy shades are quite fashionable right now. Depending on the specific shade you select, the final nail appearance can lean a bit more purple, grey, or brown, but those deep, cool tones are what matter most.

      Why Are They Trending for Autumn 2025? While darker, richer colors tend to gain popularity as the weather cools down ("There’s a warmth and coziness that these shades evoke," points out nail artist Coca Michelle), we can largely credit the grunge beauty revival for the rise of the rum raisin color. From hollowed eye makeup to blurred, berry-stained lips, cool purple-brown shades have dominated the beauty scene for some time, adding a gothic-romantic vibe that’s perfect for autumn—even if all you adopt is a raisin-hued manicure. "This autumn trend is quite versatile, accommodating various styles. It can embody grunge while also looking chic and mysterious," Michelle adds. "I even used a rum raisin shade for one of Grace Ling’s spring/summer 2026 show nail designs, creating a custom 'burgundy stiletto' nail look that captures that same moody, mauvy feel." Thus, we can likely anticipate the nail trend to extend well beyond autumn and winter, making it all the more appealing to join in as this manic trend gains momentum.

      How to Get the Look "You're in luck; this shade suits many skin tones," shares Kandalec. "Rum raisin is classified as a berry mauve, so look within the berry family to avoid leaning too brown if you can’t try it on first." She also recommends choosing sheer, buildable shades that can either remain glossy (think of a rum raisin "syrup") or be layered for a rich-looking mauve. To elevate the style and give it a high-fashion flair, choose a sharp stiletto shape like the one from Grace Ling S/S 2026. Alternatively, "A shorter square shape pairs beautifully with this tone, making for a sleek autumn manicure," notes Michelle. Looking for the best rum raisin nail polishes to try? You can find all the recommended options listed below.

      OPI

      Raisin’ the Bar Nail Polish

      This beautifully rich shade from OPI is ideal for the rum raisin nail trend.

      Essie

      Original Nail Polish 897 No to Do

      A chocolatey purple with a gorgeous glossy finish.

      Essie

      Original Neutral Nail Polish Mismatch to Match

      Conversely, this Essie shade presents a perfectly cool tone.

      Essie

      Gel Couture Gel-Like Nail Polish Take Me to Thread

      For a gel-like effect, try Essie's Take Me to Thread polish.

      Manucurist

      Rose Mountbatten

      An exquisite shade from Manucurist.

      OPI

      You Don't Know Jacques! Nail Polish

      Another brown-purple choice, this creamy shade looks quite tempting.

      H&M

      Nail Polish Mulberry Mood

      If you prefer to amplify those rich, wine-colored tones, H&M has what you need. This post originally appeared on What Who Wear US.