These 35 Matte Nail Designs Will Instantly Upgrade Your Fall Manicure
Who said matte was dull?
Fall 2024 nail trends come with endless options. There are 3D nail designs, embellishment adds-ons, and French tips for starters. But if these lean too maximalist for you, you can always opt for a more understated option: matte nail designs. “After summer nail trends were oversaturated Brat nails and everything-glazed trends, we are ready for a very demure fall,” says Christina Kao, co-CEO and co-founder of Le Mini Macaron. “Matte nails offer the perfect balance. They add texture and sophistication without being overly flashy — serving as the ultimate something extra without the extra.”
The smooth, non-shiny look can feel classy, clean and easily be accentuated with designs to liven up your look. Meaning, just because matte nails aren’t shiny, your manicure won’t be boring. Celebrity manicurist and brand founder, Deborah Lippmann deems major matte nail trends to include shapes, lines, and small pops of color. “Right now, we’re seeing very simple matte manicures for a sleek look, and bolder black, red and darker manicures for the grunge look.”
Now is the perfect time to experiment with a matte manicure, too. According to celebrity nail artist, Elle Gerstein, “When you’re using matte it really mimics velvet, chenille, and cashmere fabrics. It makes even a sheer color cozy, warmer and thicker.”
To help you jump on the trend, we spoke to five top celebrity nail artists and put together the below edit of the 35 best matte nail designs. Whether you favor a DIY moment or plan to bring a design to your next nail appointment, the list is filled with abstract plaids, super romantic pinks, and dreamy solids with an accent nail—plenty of options guaranteed to suit all tastes. Happy scrolling.
Added Gloss
Where summer is about bright and bold colors, fall is synonymous with moody and dark shades, as seen in this chocolate brown mani. The experts see matte nails with a glossy French tip as a big trend for the season. “Mixing matte and glossy finishes creates a striking visual effect,” nail artist Jin Soon Choi tells Marie Claire. The look is classic and elevated.
Done Dusted
Sky blue with a dusted effect is the playful matte look in a sea of dark fall colors. According to Choi, the trend is all about adding depth, whether you use a polish with built-in texture or layering techniques, it really is a stand out look.
Modern Nudes
Although hard to think about, there are only three months left of 2024. That said, Kao sees nude matte nails dominating the fall. “Low key, yet chic, [nude matte nails] are perfect for everyday wear,” Gerstein advises. However, she says matte, unlike glossy nails, tend to show imperfections like bumps or streaks more easily. So be sure to take care of your nails with an alcohol swab if they brush on dirt, oil or another liquid.
Gray Foils
Gray is a great neutral color that goes with all outfits and seasons, especially in the fall. To put a fresh spin on things, add in some gold foil. “Combining rich matte finishes with the sleek shine of metallics like gold, silver or copper deliver a bold, luxurious look that’s hard to miss,” Choi tells Marie Claire.
Sage and Sound
According to Gerstein, cranberry and forest green shades are the two hot shades trending this season. Plus, they look great on multiple skin tones. You don’t need long nails to make a statement with matte manicures. In fact, groomed cuticles are the key to nailing this simple, clean look.
The More the Merrier
Can’t decide between a color or a design? Opt for them all. The reverse of ‘less is more,’ this playful manicure is sure to keep you smiling. If you’re creating this one at home, all the experts recommend finishing with a buff file. “A great secret to creating a matte nail without a matte top coat is to take a fine nail buffer (one that won’t scratch, so 240 grit or higher) and lightly buff your polished nail,” Gerstein tells Marie Claire. “The light grit will remove the shine without breaking any seals that the top coat provides.”
Romanticize Your Life
Step into your romantic side with a pink matte manicure. To add extra oomph, work in a classic French tip and dots. The soft look can be worn way past fall.
Queen of Hearts
Keep it simple, yet exciting, with a flat wash over a natural nail, decorated with adorable hearts. A variation of this look made an appearance at Christian Cowan's Spring Summer 2025 runway. The only change: he chose stars instead of hearts.
Two is Plenty
If you don’t want to go full matte, dip your toes into the trend with one accent nail in a sea of high-gloss nails. For those trying it for the first time, press-ons work as a fast, mess-free alternative to achieve this look.
Cozy Fall
Cuddle up with tonal browns and whites in this fall-inspired mani. While it looks a little tricky to do on your own, all you need is some nail tape for a crisp line down the center. Or, swirl the shades together with a toothpick.
Black Frenzy
Black goes with everything and as the base of a matte look, this galaxy-themed manicure is half shiny and half matte—the perfect, moody contrast. Plus, jet black nails were all over New York Fashion Week, so you know you'll be on trend.
The Neutralizer
Liven up a classic nude nail with a textured matte manicure—playing up frosted accents, 3D art, and foil. “This combination brings a cool, edgy twist, blending matte finishes with metallic foil accents for a striking ensemble,” says Choi.
Femme Pops
Channel your inner Cher Horowitz and go for an overall pink with chic plaids as a new take on French tips. For a long-lasting manicure, be sure to add a top coat if you’re doing this at home.
Seeing Plaids
Bring on the cold weather and let your favorite plaid sweater match your nails. This one takes some dedication and a steady hand, but you can make your life a lot easier by scooping up some nail stickers.
Mix-and-Match
Grab your favorite three colors and have fun by alternating shades. Pick your favorites, or choose a theme. I'm currently feeling shades of green.
Pops of Color
For a uniform matte design, opt for the same art on each finger. Add in a bright neon color and create squiggles on the outer sides of the nails. This one can be a bit messy, so don't sweat a mistake.
Minimalist
Not into intense designs? Opt for the classic matte look with a gray that is edgy, yet chic and minimal. As the simplest form of the trend, Kao suggests painting two coats of your favorite color, then finishing with a matte top coat for an instant transformation.
Red, Red, Red
Bring on the sass with this multi-red look, complemented by 3D embellishments. Start by polishing the matte base color and add a top coat. Next, use gel glue to create 3D designs on top of it. As an optional last step, cure the design under an LED lamp for a striking 3D effect.
Sweater Weather
Embrace sweater weather to the fullest by giving your nails a winter-approved knit effect. “Matte nail finishes bring a chic, velvety vibe that fits seamlessly with the cozy, layered looks of fall,” Choi adds.
Dot-It-Out
Especially beneficial for those who want to do their nails at home, grab a dotting tool and create easy matte designs over a French tip. You can use a matte white polish—or seal the deal with a matte top coat.
Burberry Inspiration
Looking to test out a matte nail for the new season? Try matte tweed or plaid nail art. You can either give every finger this design, or just a couple accent nails if you’re on a time crunch.
Ring the Alarm
Matte nails provide a clean slate for nail art. Here, with the red of your choice, add on flames, squiggles, or a deeper red backlight to create a French tip.
Make Them Green with Envy
According to Rebecca Isa, the creative director at Zoya, matte nail art allows the finish to convey the design elements of the look, whiles more traditional nail art often uses color or illustration to achieve its effect. Pair two different shades of green and create a near-gradient effect.
Traditions Never Die
Update the classic matte with a flick of gold. The French manicure has been a huge 2024 nail trend, and this is an innovative way to upgrade the standard look. A little negative space can often be a very positive addition.
Stole My Heart
It might not be Valentine’s day, but you’ll love this manicure all year long. Although we’re leaning into the romantic aura of the pink, feel free to play around with colors and vary the different shades of hearts.
Micro French
The micro French, one of Hailey Bieber's favorites, is dainty and elegant. Join the bandwagon and add depth to your matte manicure with a tiny French tip. If you want to go a bit out of the box, consider a matte half moon at the base of your nail bed.
Playful Foil
If all-over matte seems too simple for your taste, a shiny metallic foil will definitely give your manicure some much-needed oomph. The options on Amazon are quite literally endless.
Yin and Yang
White and black are a classic polish duo. Liven up the traditional vibes by adding a whole lot of 3D texture. Unless your a DIY pro, you'll probably want to screenshot this and bring it your salon.
Taste the Rainbow
If you don’t want to get rid of summer brights quite yet, opt for this matte nail design instead. The pastel-inspired look can be the highlight (literally) of your day.
Blurred Lines
To recreate the soft pink swirl manicure, grab a nail brush (toothpick or earbud can work too) to draw on as many squiggles as you’d like. I'm very into this pink and white color combination, but you can opt for whichever light and dark shades you like.
Abstract Party
Thanks to its clean look, matte nails can be used as the foundation for glossy nail art like this out-of-the-box design. With a subtle focus on negative space, the thicker lines are a great option for medium-length nails.
You’re So Golden
Keep things modern with this thicker French manicure both in swipe and thickness. The diagonal design is also much easier to DIY than a half moon.
Chrome Fan Club
Could a clean manicure get any more luxe? Neutral nails take on a different level with this silver chrome finish.
Nature Lovers
With colder weather on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about darker polishes and accents. Top of the agenda? This design with an accent leaf flower. Minimal but to the point, it’s the perfect transitionalal mani.
Lighting My Flame
Say goodbye to bright-colored flaming manicures and add this moody, fiery flame nail trend to your mood board. The drip effect is enhanced with the muted matte base.
Meet the Experts
The go-to celebrity manicurist for the most fashionable magazines and renowned fashion houses from Vogue, InStyle, W, Vanity Fair and Elle to Donna Karan, Rodarte, Narciso Rodriguez, Marchesa and Versace to name a few. After years of experience in the industry, her eponymous line of lacquers and treatments for nails, hands and feet is as coveted as her incredible talent.
Elle has elevated the definition of a contemporary manicurist through her artistry of nails. For Elle, nail styling means creating the ultimate glamour.
Jin Soon Choi is the founder of the JINsoon Nail Spas in NYC and the JINsoon Nail Lacquer Line.
Rebecca is the creative director of Zoya.
Christina is the co-founder of Le Mini Macaron. For her, having a gorgeous, glossy manicure is the perfect pick-me up. If she's having a bad hair day or not loving her #ootd, a gorgeous mani just makes her feel...polished!
