The quickest way to cure your end-of-summer-blues is that first fall manicure, and we’ve got the burgundy nail ideas to inspire it. The moody shade can feel off-limits until September hits, but each year, we’re reminded why it’s worth the wait.
This fall, celebs have wasted no time dipping into wine-colored nail looks. From Jennifer Lopez’s vampy manicure to Dakota Johnson’s minimalist merlot, the classic fall nail color is more popular than ever. “I would definitely call burgundy a fall staple in the color realm,” Steph Stone, Essie celebrity manicurist, tells Glamour. “Maybe it’s something about our wardrobes changing and wanting to lean into colors and clothing that feel cozy.”
Celebrity nail stylist Elle Gerstein, who has worked with the likes of Julianne Moore, Kate Beckinsale, and Blake Lively, says that burgundy is a great transition color and no-fail classic. “I like to call it a merlot or oxblood,” she says.
According to color theory, certain shades work beautifully with burgundy. “Burgundy pairs well with the leaves turning and those tones—marigolds and burnt oranges look stunning with it,” says Gerstein. “It’s very rich and jewel-toned. It could also look stunning with a blushy pink and anything with gold detailing. It really goes from the fall to the holiday.”
If your current TikTok feed is full of Gen-Z and millennial users debating short nails verses long-almond nail shape nails, rest assured that burgundy nails work with either camp. But Stone, who works with clients like Hailey Bieber and Miley Cyrus, and is known for her artistry and intricate designs, says her favorite way to wear burgundy is on short natural nails. “Since it is such a deep color, wearing it on short nails looks very chic and put together,” she says.
When it comes to creating burgundy nail designs, her tried-and-true staple is Essie’s Wicked. “Wicked is forever my timeless fall go-to,” Stone says. “You can never go wrong with it.”
To inspire your next salon appointment, find Instagram’s best burgundy nail ideas ahead.
