Dakota Johnson has espresso on her mind, from her hair to her fingertips.
At Milan Fashion Week, the actor stepped out with a rich, warm brown manicure that ELLE has nicknamed brown sugar espresso nails. It is a noticeable change for a star who usually leans towards soft, neutral nails, and it has quickly turned into one of the most talked-about manicures of the season.
What are brown sugar espresso nails?
The name says it all. Brown sugar espresso nails are a glossy, rich brown with slightly warm undertones, like a shot of espresso sweetened with brown sugar.
ELLE describes Johnson's shade as a rich, slightly warm-toned hue, and The Economic Times adds an important distinction: she went for a warm brown rather than a very dark or cool brown. That is what keeps the look cozy rather than gothic. Think chestnut, not near-black.
The Milan moment and the 'glossed espresso' hair
The manicure did not arrive on its own. Earlier in September, Johnson debuted a richer, darker hair colour that her colourist Tracey Cunningham, Schwarzkopf Professional US creative director of colour and technique, called "glossed espresso," according to ELLE. The nails simply continue the coffee theme.
The Economic Times also reports that Johnson was back in black at Vogue World 2026: Milano, arriving at the runway spectacle in transparent lace and chiffon layers from Valentino's fall 2026 collection, Interferenze, designed by her friend Alessandro Michele. Deep brown nails, deep brunette hair and witchy black lace make a strong case for an all-dark autumn palette.
ELLE notes that Johnson has been opting for darker nails recently, a sharp departure from her usual taste for soft neutrals.
Why brown nails are trending for fall 2026
Johnson is not alone. ELLE and The Economic Times both point out that Anne Hathaway recently debuted a darker food-inspired manicure nicknamed cherry cocoa.
Experts are calling it too. Gaelle Lebrat-Personnaz, CEO of Manucurist Paris, told ELLE that brown manicures are set to be a major trend for fall. "Brown is always a beautiful color to have during autumn," she said. "It's an elevated nude."
That phrase, elevated nude, explains the appeal, and it is why outlets from ELLE to Holr Magazine have been tipping Johnson's shade as the manicure to copy this season. Brown works with almost everything in an autumn wardrobe, from camel coats to black tailoring. Lebrat-Personnaz also says the warm shade evokes comfort, thanks to its association with coffee, chocolate and caramel. ELLE suggests it is the kind of colour that goes perfectly with a cozy sweater, a pumpkin patch outing or a leaf-peeping trip.
How to get Dakota Johnson's brown sugar espresso nails
The good news is that this is one of the easiest celebrity manicures to recreate at home. The key is the shade.
Step one: apply a clear base coat to protect the nail and help the colour last.
Step two: paint two coats of an opaque chestnut-brown polish. Look for a brown that leans warm, with a hint of red or caramel, rather than a cool, grey-toned or almost-black brown.
Step three: finish with a shiny top coat. The gloss is essential, because it gives the colour that freshly pulled espresso sheen.
To keep the shade looking rich, refresh the top coat every few days. Chips show more on a deep brown than on a sheer nude, so a little upkeep goes a long way.
If you need shade ideas, The Economic Times suggests Manucurist Nail Polish in Chestnut, essie Nail Polish in Save a Cowboy and OPI Nail Lacquer in My Italian is a Little Rusty.
Then pair the look with a fall drink. ELLE's suggestion, naturally, is a shaken brown sugar espresso.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colour are Dakota Johnson's brown sugar espresso nails?
They are a rich, glossy brown with slightly warm undertones, similar to chestnut, rather than a very dark or cool brown, according to ELLE and The Economic Times.
Where did Dakota Johnson wear her espresso nails?
Dakota Johnson wore the warm brown manicure at Milan Fashion Week in September 2026, shortly after debuting her "glossed espresso" hair colour.
How do I recreate Dakota Johnson's brown nails at home?
Apply a clear base coat, two coats of an opaque warm chestnut-brown polish and a glossy top coat. The Economic Times suggests shades such as Manucurist Chestnut, essie Save a Cowboy and OPI My Italian is a Little Rusty.
Cover photo: Jan Beránek / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0