6 Fall Matte Nail Tutorials

Fall is the perfect time for matte nails.

Nailpro reached out to some leading nail technicians in the industry to find out what matte looks they would be doing this fall, including for Halloween.

Sweater Weather

"Fall has always been my favorite season at the manicure table! Not only are we transitioning from bright and bold color pallets to neutrals, but we also see clients move away from a gloss top coat to a matted finish look. I love it! For this set, we wanted a fun sweater nail," shares Danielle Vega (@danis.manis). 

1. Apply two coats of Cremé De La Cremé by LUXAPOLISH as the base color.
2. Apply LUXAPOLISH’s Luxa Velveteen Matte Top Coat.
3. Once those layers have been cured, grab a number two brush and the color Peach Bum, also from LUXAPOLISH, to create the line work.
4. Before curing the design, sprinkle on some clear acrylic powder all over the design and cure it for 60 secs.
5. Dust off any excess powder, and there you have it — a perfect two-toned sweater nail.
6. Matching a plaid nail design next to it took this set to another level!

Spooky Symbols

"Symbols like the evil eye, the snake, moons, stars, etc. are going to be a big one leading up to and into spooky season for sure," explains Julie Banks (@polyjulesnails)

1. Prep the nails with dehydrator and primer to ensure a long lasting manicure.
2. Apply one coat of gel base coat (Beetles Gel Base Coat), and cure under a LED/UV light for 60 seconds.
3. Apply two coats of a nude gel polish (Modelones Gel Polish shade 0041), and cure each layer under the LED/UV light for 60 seconds each.
4. Use a black gel polish and a nail art brush, or a gel liner (Beetles Gel Liner in Audrey Black), to draw various spooky or witchy symbols across the nails.
5. To do a star, use the liner to create two small strokes in a "+" shape. Then, using a dotting tool, place a dot of black polish in the center. Cure the final design in the UV/LED light for 60 seconds.
6. Apply one layer of matte top coat (Beetles Matte Top Coat) to all the nails, and cure in the light for 60 seconds.
7. Lastly, apply cuticle oil and hand cream to restore moisture and good health.

Desert Fall

By: Kenna Crump (@nailed_by_kenna)

1. Prep the client’s nails and cuticles using Erica ATA’s bits.
2. Start out with Luminary Nail Systems’ Clarity for a structured manicure and Madam Glam Lotus for somewhat of a transparent base.
3. Add little swatches of color to the free edge with Madam Glam colors Keep Moving (purple), Perfect Pink, Food Coma (nude), Perfect White and Magnetic (orange).
4. Add individual nail art to each nail.
5. Top off the look with Luminary Nail Systems’ Matte Top Coat.

Fall Floral

By: Allison Krukenberg (@nailartist.alli)

1. Start this manicure with a dry manicure using Erica’s ATA bits.
2. Fill using Luminary Nail Systems’ color "Faith."
3. Add a base color of "Vintage Blue" from Madam Glam.
4. The flower design was inspired by an artist on instagram (@modtropstudios). All art is hand-painted.
5. Finish with a matte top coat from Presto Gel.

Horror Movie Special

By: JoLinn Blatnik (@clawanddagger)

1. Use Clear BIAB from The GelBottle Inc. as the base on natural nails.
2. Then, paint them using Jet Black and Oyster from The GelBottle Inc.
3. Next, cleanse the nails with rubbing alcohol and apply the Ghostface stickers. I made the vinyl stickers myself.
4. Hand-paint the knives with a small liner brush from The GelBottle Inc. and The GelBottle Inc. Studio Gel pots Mirror Chrome and Jet Black.
5. After that, add the blood drips, using the same detail brush, with The GelBottle Inc. Couture.
6. Finally, top everything off with Matte Top Coat, also from The GelBottle Inc.

Glitter and Matte Spider Webs

By: Madi (@nails.by.madi.17)

1. Polish four of the nails on the hand with two coats of black gel polish. Then, polish the accent nail with The GelBottle’s Aubergine gel polish.
2. Put matte top coat on all the nails.
3. Use black pot gel to draw out the spider web on the Aubergine nail and, without curing, pour black glitter on the uncured polish.
4. Cure the set in an LED/UV lamp.
5. After the nails are cured, dust off the rest of the loose glitter.