The spooky season inspires our creativity more than ever. This is especially true when it comes to our Halloween nails. On October 31st, the trends you may have avoided or saved to match your outfit are about to debut. What’s the best part of Halloween? Everything will happen.
So whether you want to go all out with a spooky vibe or are looking for something a little more minimal, let this guide serve as the ultimate Halloween nail art inspiration. From bloody blobs to intricate webs, below, professional artists show us their most iconic nail designs and the colors that make them look beautiful in the best possible way. (They also shared practical tips for keeping your Halloween manicure wearable long after the ghosts and ghouls are gone, which makes us even more excited for Halloween this year).
Flame and skull
In the world of nail art, Australian manicurist Betty Rose believes, “the more, the merrier,” making her the authority on spooky Halloween looks. She adds, “My most requested Halloween designs are fire and skull designs, monster graphics, and mystical looks.”
Monster War
Bring some of Halloween’s most iconic characters to life by depicting classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster and more on a bright green background. Plus, we love the white, black and green combo.
Friendly Ghost
Not all ghosts are scary. These cute smiley ghost decals are so friendly they can give Casper a run for its money.
Jelly texture
What designs and details does she plan to create this year? “I love applying jelly colors to add dimension to designs for Halloween,” she says. “The jelly black and gray colors and the fine line details between the layers make a great base for the scariest designs.”
Yellow Slime
As if her commitment to the ghoulish cause wasn’t enough, Rose teamed up with Biosculpture Gel to create a signature shade: a toxic sludge yellow that she loves to use in the dark to highlight and make the color pop.
blood is dripping
Don’t know where to start, just get rid of the blood – the blood on your nails. “When it comes to my most requested Halloween designs, blood drops are definitely the one,” says California manicurist Lesa Cazares.
London-based artist Metta Francis, aka nailsbymets, agrees and likes to switch it up with fun designs, from ghosts, graveyard scenes and carved pumpkins to classic dripping nails; using a deep, rich red as an accent; Oxblood by CND is a great choice. For her nails this time of year she likes to strike a balance between the two. “I love a very eye-catching look that can be worn at the end of the day, like stiletto nails or long almond-shaped red and black nails.”
Goethe Hei
Her trick-or-treating tips for quickly transforming your nails? “If you want a manicure just for Halloween, you can create a manicure design with nail polish over a classic gel polish. Once the occasion is over, you can easily remove it with an acetone-free nail polish remover.
halloween pink
Just because it’s Halloween doesn’t mean you have to go all out. It turns out that Screaming Ghostface looks pretty cute in pink. “My most requested Halloween designs are usually anything involving spiders, webs, horror movies like ‘Scream,’ and blood,” says artist Marbles Valdez, owner of MVZ Beauty Studio on the Lower East Side.
Lovely aggression
A mix of kawaii cuteness, oversized appliques, and colorful prints, Valdez’s pieces don’t shy away from making a statement about the kind of style you want this time of year. Her favorite ghost nail colors are green, orange, black, and purple. “I love Valentino and Madam Glam polishes.”
Halo nails
Does she have any tips for extending the life of your manicure after pumpkin harvesting? Go find an essence. “Halo or airbrush nails in a fun spooky color palette are perfect for the holidays and can be worn even after Halloween!”
Gruesome Details
“The most popular designs are definitely blood dripping from the cuticles, spider webs on the nails, and pointed teeth,” says Michelle Ramirez, a manicurist at the trendy AKIKO salon in New York. “As for the shape, it should definitely be pointed or rounded, which will make the nails look longer.”
dark gradient color
Ramirez’s favorite color is Essie’s crimson “Wicked,” for a flawless, downright spooky manicure, or a deep, glittery shade “for when you’re feeling fabulous.” As for how to protect your nails from maximum wear after the Halloween season, she recommends opting for dark gradient nails, which you can easily create at home. “It fits the theme and you can definitely rock it throughout the fall and winter. Simply take a makeup sponge, apply the color to the top of the sponge, and then dab it onto your clean nails until you get the ombre effect!
Chic Skull
When you think of nail art as an ode to the great Karl Lagerfeld, you can’t go wrong. Skeletons can be a whole lot of fun. To brighten up a classic Halloween-themed manicure, apply a mix of colors (we see an ode to Karl in this manicure).
negative space
Yumi Lee, another professional at AKIKO Salon, personally prefers Deborah Lippmann’s meticulous polish when creating eye-catching designs. “I often receive some design requests for pumpkins, spider webs and eyeballs, I think the shape of the stiletto makes them more magical and spooky.
Orange pumpkin
As for the color you’re focusing on, Lee says pumpkin orange is very popular and is sure to dominate as more and more people prepare for the season’s festivities. Her secret to making your Halloween manis last forever? Play with negative space. “Negative space nails, like black French manicures, look great even after the holidays. Not only are they extremely easy to create, but they’re also classic.
Tarot Divination
A timeless look for all the tarot girls out there, this nail look is made up of spiritual imagery that you’re probably already familiar with. Whether it’s a card or a nail, let it be your guide during a fun Halloween season.
Gory details
When it comes to supernatural nail art, Plum Kawajiri has become an industry darling. It’s no wonder she doesn’t hesitate when it comes to going bloody. “Last year I did this super scary and realistic injured nail look!” Kawajiri told Eskom. “I used nail polish and a tiny brush to create blood stains, which scared everyone online.”
red hot
If cracked nails are a little too outrageous, she shared an alternative design that still fits the bill. “If you want something wearable after Halloween, I recommend using black and red for a manicure, such as a French manicure; in her experience, extra long and square shapes tend to be the most popular.” As for Kawajiri’s polish of choice? The Gucci Vernis á Ongles is made of black crystals and the rich onyx is mesmerizing.
Total Class
“Black heels are definitely appropriate for Halloween, too. But with square nails being extremely popular, I have more clients who want square nails,” says Caceres.
She recommends developing a good nail care regimen and planning in advance to ensure your manicure lasts a long time. “My first tip is to always moisturize with your favorite cuticle oil. That way your nails will look fresh even after they grow out. I would also say choose options that won’t get boring even after the holidays are over. Finally, if you don’t want it to look too weird, I recommend wearing a solid color, like black heels, because the heels make it magical, but black will still look good with everything even after the holidays.
Black cat
Trends may come and go, but when it comes to Halloween nails, there’s always room for a black cat (or two). “It changes every year, depending on what the most popular costume or character is that year, but there are a few key things that stick out each year,” says artist and Emily Heath founder Emily Rudman. “Black cats, ghosts, pumpkins and spider webs are always popular. My guess is that this season there will be a focus on snakes.” In past seasons, Ruderman has seen stiletto heels and round nail shapes dominate, but this year it’s a little different. “Coffins and ballerinas are definitely favorites this season.”
Strange colors
When it comes to her favorite color, Ruderman admits that although it’s hard to choose, she likes dark colors. “I love dark red or black. But I also like to mix it up with green, brown, gray and even gold. Burnt orange and deep purple are also favorites.”
Transitional art
If you want to make the most of your Halloween manicure, choose nail art that can change with each season, says Ruderman. “Pumpkin or autumn leaves manicures always bring you back to November. Try decorating your nails with nail art so your nails don’t look completely Halloween-like. You can also try geometric lines in red and gold, or use gradients, changing up the usual Halloween lines, stars and moons or evil eyes. Negative space manicures will always be a favorite.
Galaxy Silver
We love studying anything space-related. The silver swirls on the tips create an eye-catching texture against the bare background, enhancing the look of Halloween nails.
Spider-Man Senses
Spider web details don’t have to be scary. In fact, when mixed with the right shade, it can become an eye-catching decoration that adds interest to any basic manicure. Paint them onto metallic green French tips to liven up the overall look.
Animal instincts
Channel your inner cheetah (or whatever animal you choose for your costume) and put some animal print on your nails. Cheetah spots are classic, and a mix of black and gray makes a perfect neutral manicure.
vampire fangs
Simple yet striking, these 3D fang decals make a statement. Add some blood for a realistic vampire-like effect.
Ghost eyes
As creepy as it is, nothing creates an unforgettable feeling than a pair of eye decals. Place them on a dark base so they really pop and let people know in such a subtle way that you are watching.
heart shaped stitches
A minimalist’s dream, these nails prove you don’t need bold prints or decals to join in the Halloween festivities. Celebrity nail artist Bettina R. Goldstein describes the nails as “the stitch that closes my heart” in her Instagram caption. Simply grab the red thread and sew it along the outside edge of your open nail.
black and red dripping
We can’t get enough bloody nails. The combination of black and red on short square nails is simple but eye-catching, and we’ll be wearing it long after Halloween.
peeking out
We debunk the age-old superstition that black cats bring bad luck. In fact, we believe they are pretty magical and one of our favorite Halloween nail art designs. These black cats peeking over the edge are so cute.
mash up
For those who are indecisive, why stick to one Halloween sticker when you can have everything? Mix and match black cats, ghosts and other spooky-themed designs for a fun nail look.
French Ghosts
Created by manicurist Hang Nguyen in her Instagram caption, this Halloween manicure is a fun take on the French mani. Decorate the tip with a fun white ghost decal on the open base.
Pumpkin Half Moon
Are you looking for a Halloween manicure that can easily transition into your everyday look throughout the fall? Choose a small pumpkin shape that highlights the base of your nail. To add some personality, use tortoiseshell shades for a more unique effect.
Cosmic power
If you love all things witchy and enchanting, these cosmically inspired designs are made for you. Combine evil eye decals with moons and stars in blue, black and gold glitter tones, and you’ll get one of the prettiest nail looks on this list.
cat lady
Whether you’re a proud member of the childless cat lady club or you just love these adorable creatures, you can never go wrong with a cat manicure. This year’s Halloween nail art look is a mix of black and white tones.
Blue Trap
It doesn’t take much to spruce up your spider web design. You can easily replace the classic white with a more trendy color, such as bright blue against a black base.
High behavior
If this Halloween chic “It” girl is your style, this Schiaparelli nail look is a must. You can decorate long black nails with the signature eye design and other golden details to create a stunning effect.
flashing neon lights
If you’ve always wanted to try glow-in-the-dark nails, Halloween is the ideal time to give it a try. These nails use a glowing powder that looks translucent in normal light, then turns into a cool neon turquoise color when it gets dark.
bleeding gradient color
The combination of red and black colors gives your sloping nails a dripping effect, which is attractive in itself. But go the extra mile and add scary eye decals to add a spooky feel to your overall look.
Alien Boy
Who says summer’s over, baby? We’ll always love this neon chartreuse shade, and adorning it with abstract silver line details gives it an otherworldly feel that’s perfect for any alien-inspired costume (or if you’re planning on cosplaying as Karlie XCX, it’s always validating).
torn nails
Red and black is a powerful combination for any Halloween nail. Add broken details to give it a fabulous spin in the best possible way.
the Nightmare Before Christmas
Whether you consider Tim Burton’s classic a Halloween film or a holiday movie, there’s no denying that it provides great inspiration for us men this spooky season. Choose from Jack Skellington designs and mix stitching, stripes, and blood drops for a fun holiday look.
Rock star glamour
Even if you’re not planning to become your favorite rock star, a 90s grunge manicure is perfect for Halloween. We love this black ombre effect as a better-looking alternative to the French tip.
Sewn Edges
One of the easiest ways to really decorate a bare base is to simply draw a stitch along the bottom curve of the free edge portion of your nail. You don’t really need anything else to make it pop.
Blood Slime
If choosing red is too realistic, choose a brighter color to make the blood drop design more interesting. We love the neon green and orange combo for the Halloween season.
