The Most Fashionable Individuals Are Donning These 11 Nail Colors Recommended by Experts This September

      Welcome to September, dear reader. I cherish this month for various reasons, but what I admire most is its fashionable color palette. After a summer filled with vibrant, sunlit hues, I always look forward to the return of softer, richer, and more striking tones. I'm referring to luxurious colors like chocolate, olive, caramel, plum, and burgundy. To me, these shades create the most breathtaking manicures and pedicures.

      Before settling on an autumn shade, I wanted to assemble my own September color palette—a selection of the chicest colors that I can quickly reference to overcome my pre-mani-pedi indecision (if you know, you know). In my quest for this personal palette, I did what any diligent beauty editor would do: I consulted experts (a.k.a. celebrity nail artists), and they certainly delivered. Below are the 11 expert-recommended nail colors I plan to wear throughout the month.

      **Deep Crimson**

      Maryna Slynko, an International Judge, Award-Winning Nail Educator, and Founder of Slynko Beauty Bloom Studio, says red is the ideal transition color from summer to fall. "[Red] retains the brightness and energy we love in summer, while also complementing a more structured fall wardrobe." The first red shade to rise in popularity this September? It's crimson, naturally. While it may seem expected, it's anything but ordinary; a deep, creamy variant of this color is undeniably sophisticated. "It maintains the classic appeal of red but offers more depth and elegance, making it especially suitable for September as it bridges the seasons. It's not as dark as a winter burgundy but feels richer than a typical summer red. It pairs beautifully with cream, beige, camel, brown, gray, and black—the colors that start reappearing in our wardrobes as autumn approaches."

      Essie

      Nail Polish - Bordeaux

      Chanel

      Le Vernis - Pompier

      Zoya

      Nail Lacquer - Courtney

      **Transitional Tomato**

      The next must-know red shade is one that celebrity nail artist Stephanie Stone refers to as transitional tomato. It’s a warm, fiery, orange-red that helps usher in the new season with vibrancy. "Red nails are a quintessential September staple," Stone emphasizes. "Given that September can feel like a transitional month, the shade of red you choose can link summer to fall." Slynko concurs, recognizing that warm tomato red is at the forefront this September 2026. "Its warmth evokes September sunshine and the early warm tones of the new season," she expresses. "Compared to a cooler classic red, warm red feels softer and naturally complements caramel, camel, chocolate, cream, and gold accents. Therefore, it fits perfectly in September—it’s bright and expressive while its warmth aligns beautifully with the fall palette."

      Sally Hansen

      Augmented Red-Ality

      Chanel

      Le Vernis - Incendiare

      Le Mini Macaron

      Nail Polish - Cherry Red

      **Black Cherry**

      A third shade of red expected to dominate this month is a rich, sultry, black-tinged hue called black cherry. According to celebrity nail artist Elle, black cherry is officially making a comeback. "It’s sexy and rich but not as stark as going straight to black or brown," she notes. "September is when people start yearning for deeper colors again."

      Londontown

      Nail Polish - Elderberry

      Shop all Essie

      Nail Polish - Berry Naughty

      OPI

      Got the Blues for Red

      **Morning Mist**

      Throughout summer, celebrities like Hailey Bieber sported bold turquoise and cobalt blue. This fall, Slynko suggests that blue will continue to trend, albeit in a softer, more muted tone. Enter "morning mist." This serene color is predicted to be the top choice this month. "This gentle blue retains some summer freshness and lightness, while its subdued undertone lends a more refined feel, making it ideal for early fall. It offers a lovely alternative to traditional beige and milky neutrals, adding color without overwhelming the look and pairing especially well with denim, gray tones, and the initial cozy knits of the season."

      Côte Beauty

      Nail Polish - Driftwood

      Manucurist

      Nail Polish - Mist Grey

      **Sapphire Blue**

      Attention, Virgos (or anyone who adores inky, midnight blue, as much as these meticulous individuals do). Naturally, September's birthstone, sapphire, is making waves in the trend cycle. It represents a deeper, richer way to wear blue this month. "Virgo season has arrived, making September the perfect opportunity to explore sapphire-inspired nails," Stone states. "Jewel-toned blues pay homage to the month's birthstone while channeling the last oceanic moments of summer before we delve deeper into fall." Rich and enchanting, sapphire blue feels especially relevant now. Viktoriia Voloshyna,