September 2026 nail colours preview: 6 back-to-school shades

1. The August → September break

August 2026 ended on deep bronze + terracotta + off-white. September 2026 turns:

• More saturated, deeper colours — nudes abandoned.
• Cooler tones — less warm orange, more plum and burgundy.
• Return of deep greens — fir, forest, after summer absence.
• Sober metallics — pearl grey, slate, rather than bling chrome.

See also our August 2026 colours guide.

2. Plum, burgundy, coffee — the warm-dark trio

Plum (Lincoln Park After Dark NLW42): OPI signature deep plum. Transition par excellence. See our plum transition guide.

Burgundy (Got the Blues for Red): dark red-plum. Autumn weddings, dressy dinners, formal back-to-work office.

Coffee (Espresso Your Inner Self): chocolate-leaning brown-black. Very chic, flatters olive and deep skin tones.

3. Mocha, fir green, pearl grey — the moderns

Mocha (Suzi Loves Cowboys warm variation): caramelised brown, cream finish. Office-evening versatile.

Fir green (This Isn't Greenland Deep): deep forest green. Sophisticated, original, flatters golden and olive skin.

Pearl grey (Cement the Deal): cool grey with silver highlights. Sober metallic effect, perfect office or minimalist evening.

4. Recommendations by profile

• Classic office: plum or pearl grey.
• Dressy evening: burgundy or coffee.
• Autumn wedding: burgundy or plum.
• Modern personality: fir green or mocha.
• Fair skin: light plum or pearl grey.
• Golden skin: coffee, mocha, burgundy.
• Olive/deep skin: any shade, fir green signature.

OPI semi-permanent €45, 45 min. 3-week hold.