It’s 2003, and I’m once again bored in freshman math class (numbers have never been my area of expertise). So, instead of following along with the algebra equations being solved on the blackboard, I’m using my Sharpie to paint my nails black.
While some of my friends used Wite-Out for their mid-class DIY manicures, I wanted the dark, cracked nail polish that all the musicians in my favourite emo bands sported (shout out to Pete Wentz), and the black marker worked well.
But here’s the thing: my musical tastes, like my manicures, have developed since graduation. Instead of a marker, I now use regular nail polish whenever I want a jet black manicure, especially in the fall. Something about the chilly weather and comfy layers makes me pull toward darker hues.
The 5 Most Popular Nail Polish Colors for All of Your Fall Manicures
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color in Fade To Black

A gel-finish manicure does not require a trip to the salon or the use of DIY UV light equipment. Deborah Lippman’s Fade To Black lacquer lasts for days without causing nail damage. Biotin, evening primrose, and green tea extract are among the conditioning and strengthening elements in the recipe.
Olive & June Nail Polish in E+M

What distinguishes Olive & June’s jet black polish is that the recipe applies evenly for truly opaque pigment. The brush is designed to cover each nail entirely in three strokes or less, making it an excellent starter polish for beginners whose painting abilities aren’t precise — yet.
Côte Nail Polish in No.92

This creamy Côte polish is the perfect balance of shiny and matte. Formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, camphor, formaldehyde resin, and triphenyl phosphate are among the dubious compounds typically found in nail polish (TPHP). It’s also cruelty-free and vegan.
JINsoon Nail Polish in Absolute Black

Look no further than JINsoon’s Absolute Black for a noir manicure that stays looking fresh the entire time you wear it. The 10-free formula includes UV filters to keep the colour from yellowing and fading.
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Blacky O

For its ultra-glossy, super-pigmented finish that rivals a salon manicure, Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel has acquired cult status. For up to seven days, the formula will not chip or fade. No need for a UV lamp.