There is something distinctly cheering about choosing a new nail colour for autumn. As sandals are packed away and cashmere returns to daily rotation, deeper, richer shades suddenly feel appealing again. Townhouse’s new AW26/27 edit arrives at precisely the right moment.
The six colours join the brand’s Flawless Polish collection, which is designed to recreate the glossy, gel-like finish of a salon manicure at home. Priced at £12 each, the polishes span creamy neutrals, coffee tones and two less predictable shades that prevent the collection from feeling too safe.
Hot Chocolate is the darkest of the group: a deep, glossy brown that makes a softer alternative to black. Mocha is more muted, with a dusty mauve quality that should work particularly well on shorter nails. Croissant, meanwhile, sits somewhere between caramel and tan, while Chai Latte is the palest and most conventional of the four neutrals, a warm peachy beige suited to an immaculate everyday manicure.
The names may read rather like a particularly indulgent café order, but the colours themselves are sophisticated and extremely wearable.
More unexpected is Butter, a creamy yellow that brings a little late-summer optimism to the palette. Yellow polish can be difficult to carry off, but this one is softened enough to feel playful rather than garish. It would look especially good against denim, navy or the warm browns that return to wardrobes each autumn.
Olive is the strongest shade in the collection and, to my mind, the most desirable. The deep forest green has a jewel-like richness without tipping into festive territory. It is elegant, slightly unusual and far more interesting than the predictable burgundy that resurfaces every September. Worn on neatly shaped short nails, it has real impact.
The shades also work well together. Chai Latte, Croissant, Mocha and Hot Chocolate could be used across alternate nails for a subtle tonal manicure, while Olive would make an effective accent against any of the warmer neutrals.
Townhouse has become known for polished, fashion-aware manicures, and this edit captures that aesthetic neatly. There are sensible shades here, certainly, but they have been chosen with enough nuance to distinguish them from the countless beige and brown polishes already available.
If only one bottle were to make its way into the autumn beauty cupboard, Olive would be my choice. At £12, however, there is a persuasive case for adding Croissant or Hot Chocolate too.
Collection: Townhouse Flawless Polish AW26/27
Shades: Hot Chocolate, Butter, Croissant, Mocha, Olive and Chai Latte
Finish: High-shine and gel-like
Price: £12 each
Available from: townhouse.co.uk and Townhouse salons
