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October 31 may seem light-years away, but if last-minute Halloween costumes stress you out, then you know it’s never too early to start planning for a killer getup. Makeup and hair are a given, but the perfect costume isn’t complete without an amazing mani. This year we’ve pulled out all the stops with a mega-roundup of the scariest, spookiest, and all-around amazing Halloween nails ever. From black-cat French tips to pumpkin-face nail art to the most stellar sugar-skull nails we’ve *ever* seen, here are 40 manicures that are basically costumes for your nails.
DIY Halloween Nail Art To Try
Brit + Co
Snakebite Nail Art
Okay, technically these have a little bit of red on them. But we think you’ll forgive us and our favorite nail artist SF Party Nail AKA Taylor Watson.
Bellacures
Red Blood French Tips
Your decision to dress as Jason Vorhees for Halloween won't be complete with these red blood french tips. They're the perfect complement to the faux bloody machete you'll be carrying.
Brit + Co
Golden Ratio
Perfect for the lazy-girl nail artist who wants to hit two holidays with just one mani. Do this on Halloween day and then carry it all the way into the New Year!
Brit + Co
Cute Cat Ear Tips
This is a great mani option for anyone and everyone who wants to be on the couch with their cats at any given moment. Just use a thinner brush to make the triangles for the ears. You can use another brush or even the tip of a bobby pin to dot on the eyes!
Burgundy Nails With Gold Flecks
Craft a sweet witch's brew to match your burgundy nails with gold flecks.
Black With White Spider Nail Design
If you don't have a fear of spiders, let this white spider design help you craft the perfect Halloween treat.
Depois Dos Quinze
Stitch of Lilo & Stitch
Let these Hawaiian nails add some fun to your Halloween costume. Don’t worry, they won’t cause as much havoc as you think.
Black and White Spooky Halloween
Your scary Halloween costume won't be complete with this black and white nail design.
All That Glitters
If you love all things glam, you don't have to wait until New Years to go crazy with the glitter. Pick darker colors to make this mani extra moody.
Halloween Nail Art Inspo
Bony Gal
Keep your Halloween digits looking eerie with a skeleton design scattered along your nails. A matte black and red polish underneath looks even more appropriate for the holiday.
Feelin’ Spidey
Scare the ish out of all the arachnophobes with your spooky spider nails.
Spooky Minimalist
A ghostly manicure instantly puts you in the Halloween spirit. Plus, if you’re more of a minimalistic gal, this simple design will ring true.
Sweet Skulls
Even if you’re not a fan of Halloween, these designs let you take part in October fun without the spook factor. This manicure is trendy and colorful and will match any outfit you pair it with.
Mixed Finishes
You don’t have to deck out your digits in skulls and ghosts to be festive. A fancy orange and black mani gives you just the right amount of edgy flair.
Orange Evil Eye
The evil eye can mean a curse in many cultures around the world. What better way to celebrate the spooky holiday than with protective nails featuring these talismans?
Twist on a French
Pair your black polish with a simple white to elevate and invert this classic, yet very Halloween-appropriate, finish.
Shimmer and Spiders
Statement nails featuring sparkles and spider webs turn the dial up on Halloween glam. Balance it out with a neutral gray shade as your base color or keep it negative with a bare nail layered with a top coat.
Scratch It Up
Destroyed ombre nails feel spooky but still stylish. Achieve this jagged mani look by coating your nail with black and using a scratcher tool to uncover the natural hue underneath.
Spooky Kitty
Instead of opting for the scary nail art route, go spooky. Cute, pointy-eared kitties are purrfect for Halloween.
Squiggly Black Lines
Start off with a neutral base coat, then get funky with dark and random squiggly lines.
Bloody Nails
This spine-tingling nail art will give you all the holiday feels this October. Drip polish down from your cuticles, and clean up your skin with a nail polish remover-soaked cotton swab. Done and done.
Moody and Matte
Feel like sporting your artsy side? Paint an entire creepy scene onto your nails for a unique mani. Adding a matte top coat lets the designs be seen even better.
Marble Print
This looks tough but is actually fairly easy. Begin by using black nail polish and a small brush dipped in acetone, draw on lines with the polish and then blur them by swirling with the brush.
Art Dark-O
One small black line from top to bottom of your nail bed makes for an artsy addition to a skeleton-inspired Halloween look.
Candy Corn
It’s easy and it’s a classic. Just a warning: You may have to resist the urge to nibble your fingers!
Shattered Nails
Give your fingers some sharp angles to give the illusion of jagged nails.
Matte and Glossy Meet
Spice up the typical matte nail with a glossy French tip.
Frankenstein Stitches
We’re already haunted by this funky, yet totally appropriate Frankenstein pop art.
Picasso Line Art
Halloween doesn’t have to be all about zombies and mummies. Instead, try a fine-art approach that’s still wacky enough for the holiday.
Halloween Collage
Can’t decide which Halloween fave to go with? Use a different nail for each October 31 icon so no one misses out.
Jack Skellington
We love this black, white, and sparkly tribute to a Halloween classic.
Disney Princesses
If you can’t decide which Disney princess you want to be this year, then just be all of them! This mani shows off their goofy side because even a Disney princess knows how to have fun too.
Halloween Nails You Can Buy
Dashing Diva
Dashing Diva Glow Potion Gloss Palette
Add some magic to your nails with a glow-in-the-dark set that features all your favorite Halloween motifs with a fun color palette.
Etsy
Black Bat Halloween Nails
Switch up your base color every time you add one (or multiple) of these stickers, and you'll get a different look every single time!
Etsy
Black Spider Web Press On Nails
The coolest part about these Halloween nails is the two-in-one finish they have. Even though they're monochromatic, the glossy and matte textures provide some unexpected contrast. (via LilyNailsArt/Etsy)
Etsy
Ghost Nails
The detail on these tips stand out against the simple base, and add a spooky touch to all your fall outfits!
Glamnetic
Lady Web
Give your spidery web nails a cute update with these press-on nails! The glitter will make them less spooky as you brew one of your famous Halloween cocktails.
Walmart
Salon Perfect Matte Checkered Cat Nails
Witchy nails are meant to be as chic as they are thrilling. Lucky for us, Salon Perfect understood the assignment when they created these cute matte checkered cat nails!
Walmart
Salon Perfect Black Moon Ombre Nails
Dressing up as a mysterious and sexy tarot reader for Halloween? Don't forget to add these black moon ombre nails to your costume.
Want more Halloween nail art and beauty inspiration? Be sure to check out our Pinterest page!
This post has been updated.
