As Halloween approaches, it’s time to get creative with your look—including your nails! From creepy-cute designs to elegant gothic styles, Halloween nail art is the perfect way to add spooky flair to your outfit. Here are some of the top Halloween nail trends to try this year!
Grim Glam
For a chic and spooky look, choose black matte nails adorned with metallic accents like gold skulls, spider webs, or crescent moons. Combining sleek matte and shimmering metallics creates a stylish balance between eerie and elegant. You can add rhinestones for a 3D effect, making the design even more eye-catching.
Pumpkin Spice Delight
Nothing says Halloween like pumpkins! For a playful, seasonal touch, consider nail designs that feature tiny pumpkins, leaves, and autumn-inspired shades like burnt orange, mustard yellow, and deep reds. Ombre nails transitioning from dark to light tones with pumpkin motifs are perfect for those who want to embrace Halloween and fall vibes.
Classic Horror Icons
Celebrate the classic horror movies that define Halloween with nails featuring icons like Dracula, Frankenstein or a blood-splattered design reminiscent of your favourite scary films. These designs range from cartoonish versions for a fun twist to more detailed, realistic artwork for serious horror fans.
Glow-in-the-Dark Nails
One of the coolest trends this Halloween is glow-in-the-dark nail polish. Imagine your nails lighting up at a party or under the moonlight, adding an eerie touch to your costume. Consider painting your nails with solid glow-in-the-dark colours or incorporate them into spooky designs like ghosts, bats, or skeleton hands.
Spider Web Nails
For a simple yet creepy design, spider webs are a timeless favourite. Try intricate white or silver web designs on a dark base like black, deep purple, or midnight blue. Add a small spider decal or paint one yourself for a finishing touch. This look pairs perfectly with a witchy costume or a gothic outfit.
Red Drip Designs
Want something a bit more chilling? Red drip nails are a classic for horror lovers. Start with a nude or pale base and add red polish near the tips, dragging it down slightly to mimic dripping red. This effect should easily applied with black polish for a darker, more sinister look. Perfect for a vampire-inspired costume!
Witchy Vibes
Channel your inner witch with nails inspired by mystical symbols and dark magic. Designs featuring pentagrams, potion bottles, or the moon’s phases give your nails an enchanting aura. Try deep purples, blacks, and emerald greens for the ultimate magical manicure.
Skeleton and Bones
Minimalist skeleton and bone designs are both spooky and stylish. White bones on a black base or vice versa create a sharp contrast that’s bold yet simple. Experiment with a skeleton hand stretching across multiple nails for an artistic touch.
Cute Ghosts
Not into gore and darkness? Select cute ghost designs that bring out the playful side of Halloween. Little ghosts with happy or surprised expressions on a soft pastel background offer a fun and whimsical twist on traditional Halloween themes. It is perfect for someone who wants a light-hearted yet festive look.
Candy Corn Manicure
Halloween is incomplete without some candy corn inspiration! Create a sweet treat for your nails using the iconic colours of candy corn: white, orange, and yellow. Select a simple colour-blocked design or paint candy corn shapes for a quirky, fun look.
Tips for Your Holloween Manicure
While coffin and stiletto shapes are popular choices during Halloween, they give your nails an edgy look. However, depending on your chosen design, almond and square shapes also work well. Invest in some thin nail brushes, dotting tools, and nail stickers to easily recreate intricate designs at home.
Use a good top coat to protect your designs and make them last longer, especially if you plan to show off your nails throughout the Halloween weekend. If you’re short on time or don’t want to commit to a design, press-on nails are a quick and easy solution. Many brands offer pre-designed Halloween-themed nails that you can apply in minutes.
Jennifer Williams | Editor-in-Chief
