Lacquers We Love

Lacquers We Love
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Lacquers We Love

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Wave goodbye to your summer neons, and welcome the new class of sophisticated lacquers. From gorgeous burnt orange, elegant berry-wine, and inky sea green, these shades are sure to become staples among your polish collection. Click through to shop our picks for fall’s must-have nail colors!

MORE: Watch our exclusive video on how to recreate this season's hottest manicure trends!
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Wine

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Bordeaux-hued lipsticks were hot on the fall runways, but if you’re hesitant to wear a full berry lip, ease into the trend with a wine colored nail polish. Like the perfect party gift, Essie’s Recessionista ($8; essie.com starting in September) is a one-size-fits-all merlot, while YSL’s Rouge Expressioniste ($25; yslbeautyus.com) and German-icure by OPI ($8.50; opi.com for locations) mirror a well-aged pinot noir.

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Grey

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You don't have to hide these shades of grey! Try Lancome's Gris Angora ($15; lancome-usa.com), NARS's Galion ($18; narscosmetics.com), and Dolce & Gabbana's Gray Pearl ($20; saks.com). They glide on effortlessly and flatter every skin tone.
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Plum

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The difference between a deep plum and a rich wine? It’s all in the undertone. Dark eggplant shades like the Nails Inc.'s Richmond Terrace ($9.50; sephora.com) and MAC’s Gadabout Girl ($16; maccosmetics.com starting in late August) have cooler hints mixed into the formula, making them a mysterious counterpart to a warm aubergine. We also love Bobbi Brown’s Twilight Night ($18; bobbibrown.com), a sparkling amethyst perfect for a night out.

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Gold

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We love the antique gold shades being featured this fall like Estee Lauder’s Nouveau Riche ($20; esteelauder.com) and Orly’s Flare ($8.50; orlybeauty.com starting in September), and the duo-chrome finish of Sephora’s S-Age is Just a Number ($9.50; sephora.com), which changes from deep copper to a slight green depending on where the light hits.

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Blue

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These deep navy blues aren’t quite black, but are a far cry from the popular aquamarine shades of the summer. The dynamic shimmer in Rescue Beauty’s Jack in the Pulprit ($16; rescuebeautylounge.com), Julep’s Marissa ($14; sephora.com) and Maybelline’s Navy Narcissist ($4; drugstore.com) add a fun element to the dark shade. If you’re feeling really adventurous, pick up Revlon’s Ocean Breeze ($5; ulta.com) which dries with a fresh aquatic scent that’s noticeable even under a top coat.
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Hunter Green

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Dark emerald shades like Estee Lauder’s Viper ($20; esteelauder.com), LCN's New York Beat ($7.50; lcnusa.com starting in September), and Nicole by OPI’s For Gold Times Sake ($7; target.com) put a literal meaning to the term “green thumb.”

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Khaki

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Use two even coats of YSL’s Khaki Arty ($25; yslbeautyus.com) or Dior’s Amazonia ($23; sephora.com) to impart a trendy manicure that walks the line between green and grey.

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Orange

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Pantone’s color of the year gets a touch of warmth with burnt orange lacquers. Sweep on OPI's Schnapps Out of It ($8.50; opi.com for locations) for a classic creme finish, or use Ciate’s Skinny Dip ($15; sephora.com) and MAC’s Styleseeker ($16; maccosmetics.com starting in late August) if you want to add some multi-dimensional shine.
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Grown-Up Glitter

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While the thought of glitter nail polish may channel thoughts of thick, clumpy versions of bad yearbook photos past, this year’s fall lineup is anything but. The subtle shimmer in RGB’s Sea ($16; rgbcosmetics.com) and Butter London’s Trustafarian ($14; butterlondon.com) make the formulas sophisticated enough for everyday wear, while Deborah Lippmann’s Let’s Go Crazy ($18; deborahlippmann.com) creates a gorgeous statement nail layered over any dark hue. Concentrate the glitter just at the tip of your nail to create an ombre effect.

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Chocolate

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Looking to switch up the tawny nude hues you loved during spring and summer? Swipe on the decadent chocolate hues like Laura Mercier's Cocoa Suede ($18; lauramercier.com) and Givenchy's Delicate Brown ($17; sephora.com), which are an edgier take on the neutral shade. Another great option: Tom Ford’s Nail Lacquer in Minx ($30; saks.com), which has warm red undertones and sparkly silver glitters mixed into the formula.

MORE: See our top makeup, hair and skincare picks of 2012 in InStyle's Best Beauty Buys list.
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