8 best nail polishes for autumn

Power through this season with the best long-wearing shades

From rich reds to deep purples, we’ve got you covered (iStock)

Who says you can’t mix things up this autumn? From dark rich greens and rouge noir shades to soft nudes, we’ve tried and tested different nail polishes to give you a range of colours to wear as the colder weather hits. Here is our pick of the best lacquers to grace your nails, no matter your hue.

Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Royal Appointment: £15, Look Fantastic

This is a nude that works for everyone, the dark taupe shade giving us the ultimate autumnal vibe. Not too bright nor too dark, this polish has a formula enriched with bamboo extract that claims to provide protection instead of damage. The dense brush applicator makes application easy, while Butter London’s patented “shock resistant polymer technology” promises chip-resistant long wear – our tester found this polish delivered on its promises, and it lasted longer than the others we tried.

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CND Vinylux in Brimstone: £6.95, Nail Polish Direct

CND have blessed us with six new rich shades in their latest Wild Earth collection. Although we loved most of them, it was the “Brimstone” that stood out. The warm classy beige offers a beautiful glossy finish that feels luxurious – the perfect shade to carry you through to the colder seasons. Despite its light appearance, two coats are enough to rock this elegant hue with opacity and longevity.

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Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Black Cherry: £3.99, Boots

The autumn staple when it comes to nail colour has to be a dark burgundy red, and Barry M’s Gelly Hi-Shine nail paint is our favourite this season. This vampy, dark “Black Cherry” shade is to die for and delivers on coverage with just a couple of coats. Application was easy and quick and lasts extremely well.

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Nails Inc NailKale Nail Polish in Bruton Mews: £15, Nails Inc​

Nails Inc’s forest green shade “Bruton Mews” is the perfect polish for the autumn to winter transition. The wide and flat brush makes application a breeze. And if you couldn’t tell by the name of the line (NailKale), it’s supercharged with actual kale extract, which stimulates keratin production.

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OPI Nail Lacquer in Yes My Condor Can-do!: £9.95, OPI

OPI’s yearly autumn/winter collection has drawn inspiration from the cultural and historical realms of Peru. The glossy finish of Yes My Condor Can-Do! will have you feeling yourself even before you lace with a top coat. Inspired by the Condor, a South American bird, this is an autumnal plum that’s bound to have you soaring.

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OPI Nail Lacquer in My Solar Clock is Ticking: £13.50, Feel Unique

Another top pick from OPI’s autumn/winter collection is this muted red shade that we love for this time of year. It’s classy yet vibrant and, most importantly, it’s a shade that just pops on any skin tone, whether you have a paler hue or a darker complexion.

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Ciaté London in Total Eclipse: £12, Ciate London

While the idea of wearing grey nail polish to some may seem quite dull, this dark, stormy shade is worth making an exception for and provides you with full nail coverage in just one coat. Plus, the gel-wear polish has a gloss that will definitely make your nails stand out.

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Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Hold ‘Em: £7.99, Boots

This rich yet dusky purple is a great hue for autumn and with a built-in base coat, what more could you ask for? While it keeps its promise in delivering a lovely shine, our tester found that it did chip quite quickly. The colour was beautiful enough to make the cut, but be prepared for regular touch-ups.

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The Verdict: Best nail polishes for autumn

For a staple red, go for Barry M’s Cherry Black. Looking for a nice plum shade? Then OPI’s Yes My Condor Can-do! is the perfect autumnal colour. But for a pigment that looks great on all skin tones and screams autumn, Butter London’s Royal Appointment wins our vote.