Short nails, elevated style: Fall's manicure mood

I spend a lot of time looking at nails every week (occupational hazard), and lately, I’ve noticed myself paying just as much attention to the shape as I do to the actual shade and design. I’m usually a color-first person—red nails have my heart year-round—but this weekly batch made me realize just how good a shorter, square shape looks. Not only is it super practical—no poking my eyes during contact application and fewer typos on my computer—it also makes the manicures look a lot cooler.

Color-wise, though, no one this week got the same memo. There’s a glossy cobalt blue that I’m still convinced is going to be huge this fall, plus olive green, espresso, and a burgundy aura situation that I immediately fell in love with. And then, right when things start getting very September, a pale wash of shimmer comes in and makes a case for keeping things clean.

It appears my takeaway from this week has less to do with choosing a polish and more to do with booking a nail appointment with a file involved. I’m not giving up my longer nails for good, but my clippers and I are going to be spending a little extra time together.

Star Command

A little celestial action makes this military green feel a little more fun. The tiny stars add just enough zhuzh against the deeper base.

Burgundy Aura

This is what happens when an aura manicure transitions to fall. Burgundy fades into a deep edge for a moodier take on the trend. I’d happily wear this through Halloween and well beyond—it's very witchy.

Electric Feel

Cobalt is quickly becoming the color I can’t stop thinking about this season, and this super-glossy version is only making my case stronger. On short, square nails, it’s especially punchy.

Extra Olive

Not quite army green, not quite forest, this olive lands somewhere in the middle. It’s also one of those shades that feels very fall without defaulting to burgundy or brown.

Double Shot

I’ll take my espresso glossy, please, and thanks. The almost black-brown has more warmth than just plain 'ol black. And yes, I’m already thinking about ordering this exact color at my next appointment.

Perfect Pair

You know, there's no rule that both your hands have to match. Paint one hand a solid color, and then opt for a simple design like this French manicure on the other, with the same shade on the tip.

Shimmer Down

After all that fall color, consider this your palate cleanser: a sheer, milky manicure with the finest dusting of shimmer.

Why Trust Marie Claire

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.