The witching hour is upon us and our beauty is switching from summer's sun-kissed bronzers to the wickedly dark shades of winter. But fear not: Dark beauty needn't remind you of your angsty teenage years with chipped black nail polish and eyes rimmed with kohl. This season, we're swapping black talons for dark but chic tones, from midnight blue and emerald green through to deepest amethyst.
Whether it's for an alternative Halloween get-up or you just love a vampy manicure, click through to see our favourite new dark shades (without a black in sight).
Not quite electric blue, not quite night sky, this OPI polish is just right.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Russian Navy, £13.50, available at Debenhams
This bronze metallic shade will complement your bronzed lids perfectly.
YSL La Laque Couture in Bronze Aztec, £19.50, available at Harrods
Rita Ora's Shades of Black drop has us excited for our next manicure.
Rimmel London Shades of Black Rita Ora in Gothic Garden, available 27th October.
The pearlescent sheen makes this blue stand out.
Essie Nail Lacquer in Aruba Blue, £7.99, available at Boots
3INA's extensive colour range has all the dark polishes you'd ever need, but this charcoal grey is top of our list.
3INA The Nail Polish in 160, £4.95, available at 3INA
Trust Tom Ford to produce the sultriest shade going.
Tom Ford Nail Polish in Plum Noir, £29, available at Selfridges
Glitter for grown-ups from Ciaté.
Ciaté London Gelology™ Nail Varnish in Midnight in Paris, £12, available at Look Fantastic
We adore this serpentine shade from NARS.
NARS Nail Polish in Night Porter, £15, available at Selfridges
Nails Inc's NailKale range has the leafy green veg in its formulas, meaning healthy talons with killer colours.
Nails Inc NailKale in Victoria, £15, available at Space.NK
Slate grey is work-appropriate, even in the most corporate environments.
RMK Nail Polish in 31, £14, available at Selfridges
Pretty enough to display on your dresser, Smith & Cult's shade calls for a matching glass of red wine.
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer in Lo-Fi, £19, available at Space.NK
Gunmetal is the ideal alternative to black this autumn.
OPI Nail Lacquer in My Private Jet, £10.50, available at Beauty Bay
This deep chestnut brown leaves a rich glossy finish that we love.
iZ Gel Effect Nail Lacquer in Poison, £6, available at iZ Beauty Of London
The Breathable Luxury range from Nailberry doesn't budge for at least a week, even after a hasty at-home manicure.
Nailberry 5 Free Breathable Luxury Nail Polish in Blueberry, £14.50, available at Feel Unique
We're painting small moons over a coat of this starry night shade.
Jin Soon Nail Polish in Obsidian, £15, available at Liberty
This plum tone is your new fuchsia.
Essie Nail Polish in Dressed to the 90s, £7.99, available at Boots
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