One of our favorite parts of the fall: Halloween. With spooky season approaching, deciding on everything from our Halloween nails and makeup to costumes and movies is a highlight of the season.
If you want to get into the spirit but aren’t totally into the idea of going all out on dressing up in a costume, Halloween nails are the perfect way to bridge the gap so you can still celebrate the holiday. Between Halloween press-on nails, nail stickers, and countless Halloween-themed nail art designs, there are plenty of ideas to choose from, whether you want to DIY your look or head to an appointment with your nail tech.
What can we expect from our Halloween nails? According to Brittney Boyce, a celebrity nail artist known for her goth glam manis and founder of Nails of LA, you can expect darker nail colors this season. “Dark mattes will be popular,” she says. “Think dark green, black, and even a blood red.” The other side of the spectrum is everything glazed donut: “Silver chrome is also here to stay, and I’m obsessed with it.”
If you’re unsure about leaning into full-blown Halloween nail art, Boyce suggests a chrome or matte finish to give a simple mani some extra edge. And if you’re up for it, “I also love adding 3D metal jewelry at times,” she says. And if you do want to try some of the Halloween nail art ideas but don’t want to take a trip to the nail salon, you don’t have to: “For a DIY approach, I suggest using nail art decals. They’re pretty easy to use and look amazing,” she says.
No matter how you’re dressing up this October, we have plenty of Halloween manicure ideas that you’ll love so much, you’ll want to wear them year-round. Scroll on for our best Halloween nail ideas that are perfect for fall.
Instagram/@thenaillologist
1/62
Glazed Mummy
Keep things chic with a glazed donut mani and adjust the nail art for the season with these adorable mummy designs.
Instagram/@bycheznails
2/62
Ghost French
You don’t have to break up with your vanilla French manicure for spooky season. Just replace the tips with ghosts!
Most Popular
Beauty
How to Apply Lip Liner Correctly, According to Pro Makeup Artists
By Grace McCarty
Style
Grandma Shoes Are the Winter Trend That’ll Dress Up Any Pair of Jeans
By Alex Sales
Style
How to Style a Sweater Dress Using Fall and Winter’s Best Trends
By Kelsey Stewart
Instagram/@getnailedkelowna
3/62
Black Widow
Creepy Halloween nails don’t have to be over-the-top to make a statement. Case in point: this low-key but sufficiently spooky spiderweb style.
Instagram/@artnailnyc
4/62
Orange Aura
Aura nails are one of the biggest nail trends of the year. Fortunately, this orange look proves you can also wear them for Halloween.
Instagram/@claudia_hrnandez
5/62
Vampy Vibes
Matte black meets drippy French? Sign me up yesterday.
Most Popular
Beauty
How to Apply Lip Liner Correctly, According to Pro Makeup Artists
By Grace McCarty
Style
Grandma Shoes Are the Winter Trend That’ll Dress Up Any Pair of Jeans
By Alex Sales
Style
How to Style a Sweater Dress Using Fall and Winter’s Best Trends
By Kelsey Stewart
Instagram/@bycheznails
6/62
Pumpkin Chic
Festive nails don’t have to be cheesy, and this pretty pumpkin French design is proof.
Instagram/@claudia_hrnandez
7/62
Spider Woman
Spiderweb-inspired styles don’t have to be cheugy, either. In fact, this one is straight-up chic.
Instagram/@bycheznails
8/62
Magic 8 Ball
Let me see into your future…through my nails.
Most Popular
Beauty
How to Apply Lip Liner Correctly, According to Pro Makeup Artists
By Grace McCarty
Style
Grandma Shoes Are the Winter Trend That’ll Dress Up Any Pair of Jeans
By Alex Sales
Style
How to Style a Sweater Dress Using Fall and Winter’s Best Trends
By Kelsey Stewart
Instagram/@mynailfielife
9/62
Patch It Up
Calling all Nightmare Before Christmas stans! This one’s for you.
Instagram/@bycheznails
10/62
Pumpkin Spice
Once again, proof that pumpkin designs can still be cool.
Instagram/@johnthomas_beauty
11/62
Instagram/@bycheznails
12/62
Madame Web
This pretty pink mani is a delightfully fresh and feminine take on the spiderweb nail trend.
Instagram/@mynailfielife
13/62
Heavy Metal
If you’d prefer something simple but black feels too basic, consider a deep shade of charcoal instead.
Instagram/@bycheznails
14/62
Splatter Tips
If you’re into slasher flicks, this might be the manicure for you.
Instagram/@mynailfielife
15/62
Batwoman of the Year
Bats are seriously slept on as Halloween nail designs. Why so many spiderwebs and so few bats? Let’s change that this year.
Instagram/@bycheznails
16/62
Ombré Red
Sexy, spooky, and very much on trend, this ombré red mani is ideal for the whole autumn.
Instagram/@johnthomas_beauty
17/62
Spooky Mix & Match
Can’t choose just one style? Now you don’t have to.
Instagram/@bycheznails
18/62
Lilac Jack-o’-Lantern
Another adorable option? This lilac jack-o’-lantern look.
Instagram/@alyssanailtech
19/62
Matte Black
Look, black is never basic. But in case it feels like it is, might we suggest mixing it up with a matte base and a glossy black French tip? Chic!
Instagram/@bycheznails
20/62
Freaky French
This French mani is perfect for anyone who loves Halloween but can’t go all out with nail art. At first glance, it just looks like a dark Frenchie!
Instagram/@nails_of_la
21/62
Scarlett Serpents
Megan Fox is kind of the queen of freaky nail art, so it’s no surprise her everyday styles work so well for Halloween inspo.
Instagram/@claudia_hrnandez
22/62
Witching Hour
Another ideal option for the more discrete nail lovers, this look is giving “witchy” without feeling too scary.
Instagram/@getnailedkelowna
23/62
Crimson Chrome
This crimson chrome mani is perfect for late October, since it works for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and even Christmas.
Instagram/@claudia_hrnandez
24/62
Gothic Romance
Want to channel your inner dark feminine energy? This mani should do the trick.
Instagram/@nails_of_la
25/62
Goth Glam
Fox, a goth glam queen, may have worn these for her birthday in May (peep the Taurus symbol), but this goth glam mani is ideal for Halloween.
Instagram/@nail.expo
26/62
Tangerine Tips
This vibrant manicure is sure to brighten your day while setting the mood for All Hallow’s Eve.
Instagram/@polished_yogi
27/62
Skeleton Hands
This skeleton mani may be creepy, but it’s so cool.
Instagram/@j3nnailedit
28/62
Snake Print
Perfect for Halloween but chic enough for everyday wear, this snake-print style checks all of our fall nail boxes.
Instagram/@spellbound.nailartistry
29/62
Dark Skies
Have you been counting down the days until Halloween since last spring? This spooky-season mani is screaming your name. Boo!
Instagram/@artnailnyc
30/62
Witchy Wine
For a more seductive Halloween aesthetic, paint your nails wine red and decorate with celestial and snake nail decals.
Instagram/@polished_yogi
31/62
Spiderwebs
Top your favorite fall shade with spiderwebs, and you’re good to go (trick-or-treating). DIY with spiderweb stickers.
Instagram/@daniellesinay
32/62
Jolly 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.
Instagram/@nailsbypaular
33/62
Purple Chrome
We’re calling it now: This purple chrome mani is the Halloween-friendly evolution of Barbie nails.
Instagram/@ingridraiana_
34/62
Pink Ghost
Have you seen cuter ghosts? Add some Barbiecore to your look this
Halloween with pink tips and glitter detailing.
Instagram/@kellyohstein
35/62
Haunted Forest
Be the talk of the Halloween party after showing off this super-detailed (and spooky!) ghost nail art.
Instagram/@nycnailroom
36/62
Lightning Storm
This matte gel manicure with silver lightning detailing is the perfect pair for X-Men’s Storm or any moody costume.
Instagram/@kaitskreationssf
37/62
Multicolor Kawaii
Keep things cute with a Sanrio-inspired Halloween design featuring your favorite characters and festive detailing.
Instagram/@witchfacenails
38/62
Ombré Cobwebs
Ombré nails are always in, but these cobwebs add a dark and spooky touch.
Instagram/@stephstonenails
39/62
Orange Gradient
These are channeling some serious Skittles vibes, making them perfect for some Halloween trick-or-treating. Plus, it’s about as easy to DIY as nail art comes.
Instagram/@paintedbyjools_
40/62
Deep Wine
Take the mulled wine to your nails for a moody mani that has serious staying power.
Instagram / @thehangedit
41/62
Fangs
Consider this interpretation way cooler than the plastic fangs at the Halloween store.
Instagram/ @aliciatnails
42/62
Red Outlines
Start with a bright red base and layer a dark burgundy shade on top so just a sliver of red peeks out at the cuticle. (Need recs? We’ve got tons.)
Instagram / @betina_goldstein
43/62
Bloodshot Eyes
Scary or not? You choose! They’ll have people staring (and these classic Halloween nails will stare right back).
Instagram/@betina_goldstein
44/62
Delicate Chains
Channel a ghost trapped for centuries.
Instagram/@stephstonenails
45/62
Sugar Tips
The only thing sweeter than these candy corn nails is the candy itself.
Instagram/@thehangedit
46/62
Graphic Cats
Black cats are a staple of Halloween lore, so bring the elusive creatures to the tips of your nails this season.
Instagram / @betina_goldstein
47/62
Unfinished Stitches
Copy nail artist Betina Goldstein, and glue leftover string from a sewing kit at the ends of your “stitches” to play up the creepy Coraline vibes.
Instagram/@themaniclub
48/62
Pumpkin Pie
A bright orange is a cheerful take on the season and matches the changing colors of the leaves.
Instagram / @paintboxnails
49/62
Negative Space
A clean inverted moon with a bright orange base? So cool. A copper stud in the center? Even cooler.
Instagram / @aliciatnails
50/62
Phases of the Moon
Kinda witchy, kinda werewolf-y, and all kinds of cool.
Instagram/@paintedbyjools_
51/62
Moody Ruby
A shimmering finish adds a cool twist to a fall classic.
Instagram/ @opi_products
52/62
Stitched Tips
Sally from the The Nightmare Before Christmas is a top-searched costume on Pinterest year after year. Here’s a mani to make the look complete.
Instagram/@nailsthoughts
53/62
Orange Glitter
Take your pumpkin nails to the next level with some glitter, or even try a cat-eye finish.
Instagram/@thehangedit
54/62
Mini Bats
The negative space keeps the design from looking too costumey.
Instagram/@themaniclub
55/62
Candy Corn Tips
For a nonliteral take on candy corn, paint different nails in shades or orange, yellow, and white. Pops of gold and black keep things interesting.
Instagram/@betina_goldstein
56/62
Moody Moons
Channel a chilly night with graphic moons and mountains on a pitch-black base.
Instagram/@rainbow._.apocalypse
57/62
Skulls and Stripes
It’s not a Halloween nails gallery without at least one reference to Beetlejuice or Jack.
Instagram/@betina_goldstein
58/62
3D Eyes
Okay, so these realistic eyes may be a little ambitious to attempt at home, but they’re so creepy we had to include.
Instagram/@paintedbyjools_
59/62
Classic Black
Black polish is always cool, but it’s especially fitting for the Halloween season. Go with an extra-glossy formula or top coat for the most impact.
Instagram/@oliveandjune
60/62
Black Cats
Lucky or unlucky, they’re pretty cute.
Instagram/@betina_goldstein
61/62
Blood Drip
A single blood drip on nude nails is just creepy enough (and surprisingly realistic).
Red nails are more than just a color choice—they’re a statement. Whether you prefer bold and daring or subtle and chic, red nails can transform your entire look. From classic…
The coffin nails designs are a well-deserved champion of nail art. These nails have been popular since the 1990s and have been a fashion trendsetter in the nail art world….
As we step into 2024, it’s time to embrace the latest trends in nail art and let your toes do the talking. Toe nail art has become an essential aspect…