Cherry Mocha Is the Manicure Color You’ll See Everywhere This Fall

When fall hits, there is something so chic about a shiny, dark red manicure. TikTok first became obsessed with “cherry mocha” nails last autumn, and the ubiquitous nail polish is back on our feeds this year as a fall nail color trend with serious staying power.

The dark neutral is popular across several generations and style preferences, like grunge and ‘90s preppy fashion. We spoke with a nail artist familiar with the shade so we could find out why it’s so popular and how you can perfect the manicure at home.

What Are Cherry Mocha Nails?

The cherry mocha nail color features a deep, sultry blend of dark cherry and chocolate. Nail artist Lauren Ortega loves this trend because she thinks the color is timeless. “It’s like the fall version of the classic red nail. It’s rich and looks good on everyone. I think it can be both edgy and demure at the same time.”

If you notice the posts from the #cherrymocha tag look remarkably similar, that’s because the trending color is an actual polish. The shade to spark interest is from DND Gel and is named, you guessed it, Cherry Mocha. Ortega is convinced the polish is flattering on all nail shapes. “My two favorites are a soft almond in any length or a short square nail.”

How to Apply Dark Polish Without Streaks

As much as you might love dark nails, they can be tricky to get right. “When it comes to applying dark polish, you always want a high-quality pigmented polish, and you want to work in thin coats,” says Ortega. Lesser-quality nail polish or nail polish past its prime won’t have the same coverage. 

Don’t overdo it with product—two thin coats are all you need for perfect streak-free coverage. Ortega suggests following these steps for flawless application:

1. Apply a thin coat of polish to the center of the nail, working from the cuticle to the tip. 
2. Go back in with similar strokes to fill in the edges. To get close to the cuticle, position the brush near the cuticle, leave a small gap, wiggle the brush closer, and then drag it down the nail. 
3. Immediately after applying the first coat, use a liner brush to carefully paint the sides and cuticle area. Ortega says this step ensures the cleanest look.
4. After the first coat dries for a couple of minutes, apply the second coat using the first two steps.