Spooky season is just around the corner, meaning it’s finally time to start planning our Halloween nails, costumes, and makeup.
Even if you don’t like dressing up, Halloween nails are the perfect middle ground to show a little spirit. They’re fun, cheap, and not all that difficult to DIY—and let’s be honest: Is there ever a good reason not to sport an especially glamorous manicure? Exactly.
As for what’s trending for Halloween nails this year? According to Brittney Boyce, celebrity nail artist known for her goth glam manis and founder of Nails of LA, this spooky season will see a surge of dark matte shades. “Dark mattes will be popular,” she says. “Think dark green, black, and even a blood red.” The other side of the spectrum is everything chrome: “Silver chrome is also here to stay and I’m obsessed with it.”
If you’re feeling stuck, Boyce suggests a chrome or matte finish to give your simple mani some edge. “I also love adding 3D metal jewelry at times,” she says. And don’t worry if you’re not into painting your nails or don’t feel like heading to the salon: “For a DIY approach, I suggest using nail art decals. They’re pretty easy to use and look amazing.”
Whether you’re more of a DIY, nail art, or press-on person, there’s at least one (or a few) Halloween nail ideas for you. Scroll on for the best Halloween manicure ideas for 2023 and get ready to screenshot.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
-
Instagram/@nails_of_la1/75The Nails Have Eyes
Whether you’re dressing as Weird Barbie or want to give your favorite shade of pink some freaky flair, you can’t go wrong with these eye-design nails. But the best part? You can easily DIY with Nails of LA’s Big Energy Nail Wraps.
-
Instagram/@nails_of_la2/75Goth Glam
Goth glam queen Megan Fox may have worn these for her birthday in May (peep the Taurus symbol), but this goth glam mani is ideal for Halloween. Get the look with press-on nails.
-
Instagram/@nail.expo3/75Tangerine Tips
This vibrant manicure is sure to brighten your day while setting the mood for All Hallow’s Eve.
-
Instagram/@polished_yogi4/75Skeleton Hands
This skeleton mani may be creepy, but it’s so cool.
-
Instagram/@j3nnailedit5/75Snake Print
Perfect for Halloween but chic enough for everyday wear, this snake-print style checks all of our fall nail boxes.
-
Instagram/@spellbound.nailartistry6/75Dark Skies
Have you been counting down the days until Halloween since last spring? This spooky-season mani is screaming your name. Boo!
-
Instagram/@artnailnyc7/75Witchy Wine
For a more seductive Halloween aesthetic, paint your nails wine red and decorate with celestial and snake nail decals.
-
Instagram/@polished_yogi8/75Spiderwebs
Top your favorite fall shade with spiderwebs, and you’re good to go (trick-or-treating). DIY with spiderweb stickers.
-
Instagram/@sansungnails9/75Dark Side of the Moon
For something witchy yet minimalist, try a black-and-white celestial French mani.
-
Instagram/@daniellesinay10/75Jolly Jack-o’-lantern
Embody the spirit of Halloween with jack-o’-lantern nails. Simply paint your nails your favorite shade of orange and top off with spooky nail decals.
-
11/75Negative-Space Silver
While slightly less over-the-top than multicolored metallic, this striking space-inspired nail art is full of negative space and ready for takeoff.
-
Instagram/@nailsbypaular12/75Moody Marble
This moody emerald green marble mani is just begging to be photographed holding a PSL.
-
Instagram/@artnailnyc13/75Edgy French
Tired of traditional French? Try its edgier cousin: the double V-shaped French. You can mix and match any combo of colors, but we’re especially fond of this black-on-pink vibe for the fall.
-
Instagram/@nailsbypaular14/75Purple Chrome
We’re calling it now: This purple chrome mani is the Halloween-friendly evolution of Barbie nails.
-
Instagram/@nails_of_la15/75Silver Tips
If all-around chrome is a bit too much for you, add silver chrome tips to nude nails for a hint of low-key edge.
-
Instagram/@j3nnailedit16/75Martini Mani
Whether you’re a martini lover or more of an eat-the-olives-out-of-the-jar kind of gal (or both), this mani is meant for you. Plus, olives make for perfect Halloween decoration fake eyeballs.
-
Instagram/@witchfacenails23/75Ombré Cobwebs
Ombré nails are always in, but these cobwebs add a dark and spooky touch.
-
Instagram/@stephstonenails24/75Orange Gradient
Skittles nails are still going strong. This lets you get in on the trend while still nodding to the holiday. Plus, it’s about as easy to DIY as nail art comes.
-
Instagram / @betina_goldstein25/75Silver Drips
Blood drops seem a little less gory when done in glitter. Try it with China Glaze’s Silver of Sorts Nail Lacquer or Zoya’s Pixie Dust.
-
Instagram/@paintedbyjools_26/75Deep Wine
Take the mulled wine to your nails for a moody mani that has serious staying power.
-
Instagram/@aliciatnails30/75Classic Orange
If you’re nail-art-averse but still want to get into the spirit, go with a classic pumpkin orange like OPI’s Suzi Needs a Loch Smith.
-
Instagram / @aliciatnails31/75Textured Black
Glossy or matte, the dark can be spooky. Try Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Onyx-pected layered with the Miracle Gel Matte Topcoat.
-
Instagram/@lefevrediary32/75Foggy White
A pearlescent, off-white shade (like Nailtopia in Sunday Funday) feels eerily reminiscent of a cloudy, cold October night.
-
Instagram/@paintedbyjools_68/75Black French
Put a spooky twist on a classic French tip for a mani that holds up on November 1.
-
Instagram/@betina_goldstein69/75Slime Green
Channel spooky season with a bright green like China Glaze In the Lime. Pair with a hat and a black sweater for the laziest take on the Wicked Witch of the West ever.
-
Instagram/@betina_goldstein70/75Black Widow
Black spiders on a nude base (try OPI Bubble Bath) are surprisingly chic.
-
Instagram/@nailsbymei71/75Corset Nails
A little sexy, a little witchy, totally cool.
-
Instagram/@betina_goldstein72/75Cat Eyes
The perfect mix of creepy and cool.
-
Instagram/@betina_goldstein73/75Deck of Cards
Top off your Queen of Hearts costume with a mani to match.
-
Instagram/@betina_goldstein74/75Black Half Moons
This option that doesn’t outright scream “Halloween,” but the colors are reminiscent of a Tim Burton classic.
-
Instagram/@oliveandjune75/75Matte Black
Finish off your favorite black with a frosty topcoat. We love JinSoon’s Matte Maker.
