Nails
Dakota Johnson Sets Fall's Biggest Manicure Trend: Brown Sugar Espresso
Dakohna Johnson's warm brown manicure at Milan Fashion Week, dubbed 'brown sugar espresso' nails, is set to be fall's biggest trend, says Manucurist Paris CEO.
Dakota Johnson wore a warm brown manicure at Milan Fashion Week, and the CEO of Manucurist Paris says brown polish is set to be a major trend for fall.
Johnson's colorist, Tracey Cunningham, named the actress's recently debuted darker hair color "glossed espresso." The manicure extends the coffee theme. The Milan Fashion Week look uses a rich, slightly warm-toned brown hue — now informally labeled "brown sugar espresso" nails.
The shade marks a sharp departure for Johnson, who typically favors soft, neutral polish. Gaëlle Lebrat-Personnaz, CEO of Manucurist Paris, confirms the shift is part of something bigger. "Brown is always a beautiful color to have during autumn," she says. "It's an elevated nude."
According to Lebrat-Personnaz, the warm shade evokes comfort through its association with foods like coffee, chocolate, and caramel.
Johnson is not the only one going darker. Anne Hathaway recently debuted "cherry cocoa" nails.
How to Get the Look
Recreating brown sugar espresso nails is simple. The shade of brown matters most: Johnson opted for a rich, slightly warm-toned hue.
- Start with a clear base coat.
- Apply two coats of an opaque chestnut shade.
- Finish with a shiny topcoat.
With celebrity adoption at Milan Fashion Week and confirmation from a leading Parisian nail brand that brown is a defining fall direction, expect warm chestnut and cocoa polish shades to dominate salon menus through the season.
Source: Elle Beauty
Rebecca Stone
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Market editor covering media and advertising at Eurasian Beauty Journal.
