I tried this elegant bordeaux Essie manicure for a stylish back-to-school season
Still torn between stretching out summer and diving into the deep tones of autumn? September offers the perfect window for an elegant manicure that plays both sides. After all, summer doesn’t officially end until 22 September, which leaves plenty of time to explore designs that are at once colourful and sophisticated.
Bordeaux and bright blue: two pillars of the elegant back-to-season manicure
Among the shades making their mark at the start of the month, bordeaux holds a prime spot. Rich and deep, this dark red is perfectly suited to an elegant manicure that signals the shift toward cooler days. Essie’s Bordeaux polish is cited as one of the best references for achieving that velvety, intense effect.
Those who want to keep one foot in summer, on the other hand, can lean into bright blue. Turquoise and teal dominated the end of the season, and there’s no reason not to carry them into September. Manucurist’s Riviera polish is recommended for capturing that shade, at once playful and chic, ideal for the last getaways before autumn sets in.
Designs inspired by back-to-school and sport
The back-to-school season also inspires nails full of nostalgia. Red apples worthy of a classroom chalkboard, checks and stripes reminiscent of school uniforms: these motifs give an elegant manicure a quirky, endearing edge. It’s a style that blends humour with attention to detail.
On the sporting side, the last Grand Slam of 2026 is the perfect occasion to embrace a tenniscore look. Neon greens and vivid yellows bring a sporty energy to nails, with the option of small tennis-ball decals for an even bolder result.
Rhinestones, coloured French tips and rainbows for a touch of fantasy
The gemstone trend is taking over everything right now, from coffee cups to skincare masks. Nails are no exception. On a neutral base, a scattering of coloured rhinestones is all it takes to achieve an instant jewel effect. It’s one of the most accessible ways to wear an elegant manicure with real personality.
Stripes, meanwhile, remain a reliable choice. Running vertically from tip to cuticle, or as French tips on a milky base, they provide a natural bridge between the striped beach towels of summer and the patterned knitwear of autumn. This versatile design works across all nail lengths.
- Essie Bordeaux for a deep, instantly elegant autumnal shade
- Manucurist Riviera to extend the turquoise and teal blues of late summer
- Coloured rhinestones on a neutral base for an on-trend jewel effect
- Back-to-school motifs like checks and stripes for the new season
- French tips in cobalt, butter yellow or tomato red for a colourful twist
The French manicure is also reinventing itself with rainbow tips. Cobalt, butter yellow, tomato red: these colours replace the classic white for a more festive, contemporary take. The base itself can go coloured for an even bolder result. It’s a way to savour the last weeks of lightness before the darker shades take over.
How to choose your elegant manicure based on your September mood
September is a month of two faces, and that’s precisely what makes it so interesting for nails. On one hand, bright colours remain fully in season right up to 22 September. On the other, deep shades like bordeaux are already asserting themselves for those who like to get ahead of autumn.
The key to a successful elegant manicure during this transitional month is simply to follow your mood. Feeling like extending summer? Bright blue or coloured rhinestones are the answer. Ready to shift toward more intense tones? Bordeaux or a rainbow French manicure offer a gentle way in. Because between two seasons, there’s no need to choose, you can enjoy both at once.
