Moody, Syrupy, and Expensive-Looking—Rum Raisin Nails Are About to Be Everywhere This Autumn
As soon as autumn hits, mauvy, moody shades become my new neutrals—an unwavering rule for my wardrobe, my makeup bag, and, of course, my manicures. The latter is arguably the easiest to switch up in a snap, as committing to a new nail trend doesn't require a huge overhaul—just a stunning polish and plenty of inspo.
Luckily, there's no shortage of cosy, expensive-looking mani aesthetics to go around, but my heart's currently set on one deliciously on-trend nail shade: rum raisin. Experts agree the rich hue will be on everyone's tips this autumn (and beyond), so scroll ahead to stay up to speed.
What Are Rum Raisin Nails?Rum raisin basically refers to a berry mauve hue. Think of the rich, cinnamon-like wash of colour from Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick or Revlon's TikTok-viral Super Lustrous Lipstick (which is actually named Rum Raisin!), just on your nails instead of your lips. "It's very '90s," says celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec, who shares that cool, "greyed-out" mauvy tones are very much en vogue. Depending on the exact shade you choose, the overall nail look can read slightly more purple, grey, or brown, but those deep, cool tones are the crucial factors.
While moodier, richer hues always become popular as the weather cools ("There’s a sense of cosiness and warmth that these tones bring up," notes nail artist Coca Michelle), we can really thank the grungy beauty revival for the eruption of the rum raisin shade. From hollowed eye makeup to blurred, berry-stained lips, cool, purple-brown shades have been commanding the beauty scene for quite some time, adding a gothic-romantic touch perfect for autumn—even if you commit to nothing but a raisin-hued mani.
"No matter your style, this autumn trend is pretty versatile. It can give grunge but also chic and mysterious," adds Michelle. "I actually used a rum raisin shade for one of the nail looks for Grace Ling’s spring/summer 2026 show, where I created a custom “burgundy stiletto” nail look that embodies the same moody, mauvy energy." That being said, we can likely expect the nail look to linger way beyond autumn and winter. All the more reason to hop on the bandwagon as the mani trend picks up steam.
"Lucky you, this is a shade that complements many skin tones," Kandalec shares. "Rum raisin is considered a berry mauve shade, so look in the berry family to avoid going too brown if you can't try it on first." She also suggests opting for sheer, layerable shades you can either keep glossy (think rum raisin "syrup") or build to a true, rich-looking mauve.
To make the set appear extra high-fashion and elevated, choose a sharp stiletto silhouette á la Grace Ling S/S 2026. Otherwise, "A shorter square shape pairs beautifully with this tone and makes for a sleek autumn manicure," notes Michelle. As for the best rum raisin nail colours to shop? Find all those listed below.
This post originally appeared on What Who Wear US.
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