{"id":2642,"date":"2026-08-12T02:19:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T18:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/12\/12-summer-to-fall-transition-nails-for-the-in-between-season\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T02:19:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T18:19:59","slug":"12-summer-to-fall-transition-nails-for-the-in-between-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nichebeaty.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/12\/12-summer-to-fall-transition-nails-for-the-in-between-season\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Summer-to-Fall Transition Nails for the In-Between Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As summer winds down, we likely aren’t the only ones feeling bittersweet about the season change. While it’s sad to put the swimsuits, summer nail art and beach days behind us, we’re looking forward to fall nail colors, sweaters and changing leaves. But right now, smack in the middle of the summer-to-fall transition, we’re facing a very specific manicure dilemma: We’re starting to crave the richness of fall, but we’re not quite ready to send our bright summer shades into hibernation. Enter: summer-to-fall transition nails, the happy medium between the two seasons.<\/p>\n

Instead of jumping straight from hot pink and neon orange to oxblood and dark chocolate, transitional manicures borrow a little from both\u2014think dusty versions of your favorite summer colors, warm neutrals and earthy shades that subtly nod to the upcoming season. This time of year, pair your transitional nail polish colors with classic nail shapes and lengths. \u201cI’m seeing clients gravitate toward two shapes the most: almond and short square,\u201d says New Jersey and New York celebrity nail artist and educator Erica De Los Santos. \u201cAlmond continues to be a favorite, especially for clients who like a little length. It gives the nails a softer, more elongated look and works beautifully whether they’re keeping the design simple or adding nail art.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Meanwhile, \u201cshort square nails are definitely having their moment,\u201d she says. \u201cClients are loving a shorter, clean, more natural-looking manicure that still feels polished and put together. I’m seeing more clients choose a practical length that works with their everyday lifestyle without sacrificing style.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahead, the best summer-to-fall transition shades to try for this in-between moment.<\/p>\n

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Sage and Olive Green Nails<\/h2>\n

\u201cGreen is another easy transition color,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cIf you\u2019ve been loving lighter sage greens for summer, start moving into olive. It\u2019s still a pop of color, but the earthy tone makes it feel much more fall.\u201d Try Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Pound the Pave-Mint ($4).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Mauve Nails<\/h2>\n

\u201cYou really can\u2019t go wrong with mauve,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cIt\u2019s a great neutral when you\u2019re not ready for those darker fall colors yet. You still get a little bit of pink, but it\u2019s muted enough to start giving fall.\u201d Try Essie Expressie Quick-Dry Nail Polish in Get A Mauve On ($10).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Cherry Red Nails<\/h2>\n

\u201cInstead of immediately going super dark with burgundy, start with a rich cherry red,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cIt still has that sexy, bright red feel, but it\u2019s deeper and richer than the reds we normally reach for during summer.\u201d Try Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Pompier ($34).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Blue-Gray Nails<\/h2>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve been wearing all those bright blues this summer, try bringing some gray into your blue,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cA smoky blue-gray still gives you color, but it feels a little softer and more muted for the change of season.\u201d Try Olive & June Gel Polish in Vintage ($12).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Sheer Shades<\/h2>\n

\u201cI will always say sheer nails work in every season,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cInstead of completely changing your sheer manicure for fall, change what you pair it with. Try a sheer pink or nude with a chocolate, burgundy, navy, olive or even black French tip. It’s such an easy transition.\u201d Try Zoya Naked Manicure Perfector in Pink Perfector ($12).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Golden Orange Nails<\/h2>\n

“Orange is definitely going to be one of my favorites for the transition,” says De Los Santos. “It’s a beautiful orange cat-eye that still feels fun and bright enough for summer, but the golden warmth makes it a color I can see being a huge favorite going into fall.” Try The GelBottle Inc Gel Colour in Golden Hour Magnetic ($21).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Jelly Nails<\/h2>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not ready to give up jelly nails just because summer is ending,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cThe trick is going a little deeper with the color. Think berry pink, plum-purple, smoky blue or even a deeper wine jelly. You still get that translucent jelly look, just with more fall energy.\u201d Try Nails.INC 45 Second Speedy Gloss Ready To Jelly in Aria ($8).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Mushroom and Taupe Nails<\/h2>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re a nude girl, try switching your regular nude for a mushroom or taupe,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cYou\u2019re still staying neutral, but those gray and brown undertones make the manicure feel a little more fall without being too dark.\u201d Try Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish in Tassel Free ($13).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Caramel and Toffee Nails<\/h2>\n

\u201cBefore we get into those really dark chocolate browns, I love caramel and toffee tones,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cThey\u2019re warm, creamy and look especially pretty when you still have that end-of-summer glow.\u201d Try OPI Nail Lacquer in Route Beer Float ($12).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Dusty Rose Nails<\/h2>\n

\u201cFor my pink girls who are not giving up pink for fall, you don\u2019t have to,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cJust take your pink a little dustier or deeper. A muted rose gives you the pink you love without feeling too bright or summery.\u201d Try Essie Nail Polish in Eternal Optimist ($10).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Plum Nails<\/h2>\n

\u201cI love plum for this time of year because you can play with how deep you want to go,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cA brighter, juicy plum still works for the end of summer, and as we get further into fall you can start going deeper and richer.\u201d Try Manucurist Green Nail Polish in Victoria Plum ($14).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Champagne & Bronze Chrome<\/h2>\n

\u201cYes, we are still doing chrome,\u201d says De Los Santos. \u201cInstead of the super bright white or pearl chrome from summer, start warming it up with champagne, soft gold or bronze. It\u2019s the same beautiful effect, just with a fall twist.\u201d Try Essie Metallics Nail Polish in Imported Bubbly ($10).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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