Around September time I find myself leaving behind the bright corals and vivid pinks of the summer season and choosing a moodier palette for my fingertips.

I’ve been dipping my toes into oxblood red recently but here are my favourite colours for my fingers.

Max Factor Mini, £3.99

I can’t tell you how many bottles of nail varnish I’ve got to the bottom of. I reckon it’s only one or two, most get too gloopy and I end up throwing away half the bottle. That’s why these mini versions from Max Factor are so handy. This inky shade looks very chic on short nails and great for a rainy day. Cloudy Blue is available from Boots.

Avon Gel Finish, £7

If you’re after salon shine without the UV lamp then Avon’s Gel Finish Nail Enamel is worth a look. There’s 24 shades to choose from. My favourite is Mudslide, a rich brown which lasts around five days on my nails before any chips.

OPI, From £3.99

I’m a sucker for a nail enamel with a good name so ‘A French Quarter For Your Thoughts’ doesn’t disappoint. As I’m pale I often struggle with greige shades but this one is really flattering. The formula can go a little streaky with thin coats so best to go for a heavier coat. This is a discontinued shade so it’s difficult to track down but it’s still available at Fragrance Direct.

Topshop, £5

It took me ages to find a decent gold that a) wasn’t too yellow and b) didn’t chip. ‘Aurelian‘ is a metallic shade perfect for the party season and ticks all of the above boxes. The packaging also gets a big thumbs up from me as polka dots never fail to make me smile.

Rimmel, £2.99

A dark purple is essential for the colder season and this deep plum shade is a great colour for the autumn. With the right base coat I love to paint my finger nails black but if it’s a step too far then a dark purple makes a good alternative. You can get ‘Black Cherries’ from Superdrug.

I’m really loving the matte finishes around at the moment but so far haven’t found one that doesn’t chip. I’d love to know what you’ve been using this autumn and if you’ve found any long lasting matte shades?