My typical fall palette includes the likes of burgundy and brown. But as I’ve strolled through the streets of New York City recently and spent hours scrolling through Pinterest, I’ve witnessed an emerging obsession with an unexpected fall color: chartreuse.
Yes, the pear-like shade is having a moment this fall, and it’s making its way onto our fingertips. Somewhere between the sharp brightness of lime and the earthiness of olive, the polarizing hue isn’t exactly the sour shade you’d expect to see alongside the usual lineup of moody reds and deep neutrals this time of year. But according to California-based nail artist Ramon Duran, we can expect to see more unique color trends this season, including what he calls “ugly pretty” mustard and chartreuse tones, which he personally loves for fall manicures.
But don’t worry, wearing chartreuse doesn’t mean committing to a neon shade or covering every nail in a glow-in-the-dark polish. The color looks especially autumnal when paired with purple and burgundy (one of the biggest fashion color combos right now), and it lends itself to trending designs like polka dots and chrome. For those who prefer a bolder manicure, a glossy, opaque coat lets the unique shade do all the talking.
Ahead, these chartreuse nail ideas and polish recommendations make a compelling case for giving one of the season’s most unexpected shades a spot in your manicure rotation.
Chartreuse nail inspo:
