Anne Hathaway Sets Fall's Defining Manicure Trend: Cherry Cocoa

Anne Hathaway matched a cherry-cocolate manicure and pedicure to her Cult Gaia chocolate-brown co-ord in New York, launching fall's key nail trend for 2026.

By Grace KimSeptember 22, 20262 min read

Updated September 23, 2026

Anne Hathaway Sets Fall's Defining Manicure Trend: Cherry CocoaNicola since 1972 / Openverse

The takeaway

Anne Hathaway wore a cherry-cocolate manicure and pedicure matched to her Cult Gaia chocolate-brown co-ord in New York.
Manicurist Megan Caie names BioSculpture Garnet Noir, or a blend of Ruby and Decadent Cocoa, as go-to shades for the trend.
Elle Beauty identifies cherry cocoa — mocha brown with a hint of red — as the defining nail trend heading into autumn 2026.

Anne Hathaway matched both her manicure and pedicure to her outfit over the weekend in New York, pairing a Cult Gaia chocolate-brown co-ord set with a cherry-chocolate tone on her fingernails and toenails. The "Verity" star's look marks a sharp turn from the minimalist coconut water nails she wore all summer.

The shade at the center of the moment has a name: cherry cocoa. It builds on a dark mocha base with a hint of red, adding warmth and vibrancy where a pure brown can read muted and flat.

"We always see clients reaching for deep berry red and rich, chocolatey brown tones as we enter autumn; the cherry cocoa trend for 2026 blends both simultaneously," says manicurist Megan Caie. "Cherry brings that wine-like richness so synonymous with the season, while cocoa adds a soft, earthy brown base."

Caie favors BioSculpture's Garnet Noir for the look, or a custom blend of BioSculpture Ruby and Decadent Cocoa.

Hathaway wore the shade on short, perfectly shaped nails, mirrored on her toes for a cohesive finish. The balanced tone also flatters every skin tone, according to the report.

Five ways to wear cherry cocoa

Almond-tipped. Longer, almond-shaped nails add drama to the shade.
French cabernet. French tips between solid blocks of color keep the manicure polished and grown-up.
Short and chic. Pristine cuticles and short, neat nails offer the minimalist route — the approach Hathaway herself took.
Tortoiseshell tips. A classic tortoiseshell motif signals autumn outright.
Think pink. A subtle shot of bright pink lifts a moody, dark brown manicure.

With Caie already framing cherry cocoa as the defining blend for 2026 and Hathaway providing the celebrity proof point, salons should expect clients to request the mocha-red combination — and its tortoiseshell and pink-accented variations — as the season turns.

Source: Elle Beauty