40 Spooktacular Halloween Nail Art Ideas
If you don't have a sparkly skeleton mani, is it even October?
You've got your makeup and costume set for October 31, but why limit your Halloween spirit to one day only? Polish up for the spookiest night of the year with these cute designs, complete with blood, guts, and a few cobwebs.
Forget the traditional orange and black tips this Halloween. Trade it for these lime green nails with eerie flame silhouettes. Spooooooky!
Get the tutorial at So Nailicious »
What you'll need: lime green nail polish ($7, amazon.com), nail art brush ($6, amazon.com)
If you prefer simplicity to complex designs, try a modern look that features classic orange and black.
Get the tutorial at The Nailasaurus »
What you'll need: black nail tape ($2, amazon.com)
Take a trip to the Roaring Twenties with these glitzy black and gold nails, studs and all. (Psst, don't forget your flapper costume!)
Get the tutorial at So Nailicious »
What you'll need: nail art studs ($7, amazon.com)
No steady hand required! Just resist the urge to snack on candy corn while you paint (it's tough, we know).
What you'll need: white nail polish ($7, amazon.com), orange nail polish ($9, amazon.com), yellow nail polish ($6, amazon.com)
Everyone's favorite badass super lady is going to be one of this year's top Halloween costumes. If you don't want to don the full get-up, an two-tone design, embellished by strip of gems, is a more subtle homage.
What you'll need: red nail polish ($4, amazon.com), blue nail polish ($11, amazon.com)
Simple yet impressive, this design look fantastic in a shade of either blood red or slime green.
What you'll need: red nail polish ($9, amazon.com); green nail polish ($10, amazon.com)
YouTube nail maven JauntyJuli came up with this creepy and yet somehow cute tribute to Scream and its signature scary costume, Ghostface.
What you'll need: nail art brushes ($8, amazon.com)
A skeleton manicure gets even scarier when you pop his body parts over dark purple polish. Go with matte black for more of a traditional look - or glow in the dark, if you want that extra boost of holiday spirit.
Get the tutorial at Chalkboard Nails »
What you'll need: white nail polish ($5, amazon.com)
Thin, white spiderwebs dancing all over your nails is the perfect pairing for a witch, warlock, or wizard costume.
If you prefer mysterious mattes to glossy finishes, this black and red ombre mani is right at your fingertips.
See more at Glitzer Fischchen »
What you'll need: matte top coat ($8, amazon.com)
Who would've guessed that skulls could be so cute? And if you've got a thin paint brush, they're surprisingly easy to accomplish.
Get the tutorial at Swatch and Learn »
What you'll need: white nail polish ($11, amazon.com)
Not everybody likes over-the-top nail art, even on Halloween. To keep things basic yet glam, simply trace the bottom of your nails as well as the tips using contrasting colors.
Two of the most iconic Halloween images in one funky green manicure - perfect for parties or for adding to a creepy costume.
See more at Sara Amundson's Instagram »
What you'll need: neon green nail polish ($7, amazon.com)
You know what's even cooler than a blood moon? Blood moon manicures! It's a little tricky, but with a steady hand and some practice, this gorgeous design will be your go-to nail art pick come October.
What you'll need: metallic nail polish ($14, julep.com)
Combining eerie hues and creepy cobwebs, this nail art takes the typical French manicure up a notch or two.
Glittery nails are always eye-catching, but when you top it off with a spooky graveyard scene, consider the contest won.
Get the tutorial at Copycat Claws »
What you'll need: nail art brushes ($8, amazon.com)
Creepy crawlers and cute cobwebs pair up to make this fun, funky nail look. Add metallics for extra edge.
What you'll need: nail art brushes ($8, amazon.com)
Frankenstein fans who dig negative space nails will love this minimalist moon manicure (now say that sentence five times fast!).
At first glance, this looks like random bursts of funky Halloween designs, but when you put your thumb and ring finger together, it totally comes alive.
Get the tutorial at The Nailasaurus »
What you'll need: nail art brushes ($8, amazon.com)
This chic orange-and-black manicure looks just as great in Instagram photos (hint, hint) as it does IRL.
What you'll need: nail art guide tape ($7, amazon.com)
This manicure takes a steady hand and a few advanced techniques, but the results are totally spectacular.
Get the tutorial at Copycat Claws »
What you'll need: stamping plates ($8, amazon.com)
A glitter gradient amps up the holiday vibes of any Halloween outfit - just make sure to use a great top coat so you don't wind up with little sparkly specks all over your outfit.
Get the tutorial at Copycat Claws »
What you'll need: orange glitter nail polish ($7, amazon.com)
Who wouldn't allow these adorable ghosts to haunt their fingertips? Just look at their sweet little smiles and pink cheeks.
See more at Nails By Cambria »
What you'll need: white nail polish ($11, amazon.com)
Give your black polish a creepy-cool upgrade with dark red glitter - it's a subtle nod to Halloween without being too over the top.
Get the tutorial at So Nailicious »
What you'll need: red glitter nail polish ($7, amazon.com)
Of all the Halloween movie stars, one will always be the most glamorous: Morticia Addams. Channel her with a polka dot mani like this and a black mesh long-sleeve.
What you'll need: nail art brushes ($8, amazon.com)
If you don't want to file your nails to sharp little points but love the creepy look of talons, try painting on a nude base color, then add a dark triangular design overtop. Instant drama (in a good way).
What you'll need: nail art guide tape ($7, amazon.com)
Keep your eyes on everything with this extra eerie nail art. (And customize it with your own eye color!
What you'll need: nail art brushes ($8, amazon.com)
This blogger gave her mani extra dimension by using thread for her web. If you aren't ready to tackle string, try striping tape or white polish applied with a thin brush.
Get the tutorial at Spellbound Nails »
What you'll need: nail art brushes ($8, amazon.com)
Go chevron with a nude base and candy corn colors: white, orange, and yellow, of course!
What you'll need: nail art guide tape ($7, amazon.com)
Glossy, dark, and super mysterious - everyone will be asking where you got your nails done with this eerie manicure.
We like to think the Bride of Frankenstein would rock these ghoulish nails. Join her ranks.
Part glitter, part cute-as-a-button pumpkin - what's not to love?
See more at Life Is Better Polished »
What you'll need: nail art brushes ($8, amazon.com)
This mani's moody colors give off a cool fall vibe. No need to strip this polish once October 31 has come and gone.
Get the tutorial at The Polish Hoochie »
What you'll need: nail art guide tape ($7, amazon.com)
If five bloodshot eyes is too much for you, stick with one accent nail and paint the rest the same light blue as the iris.
Get the tutorial at Shake Shakee »
What you'll need:nail art dotting tool ($2, amazon.com)
Who says Halloween nails can't be sexy and stylish? Play with texture, color and angles for a manicure that's perfect for parties.
Get the tutorial at Chalkboard Nails »
What you'll need: nail art guide tape ($7, amazon.com)
These freaky French tips are deceptively simple to accomplish. Bonus: If you use UV polish as the base, they glow in the dark!
El Día de Muertos (The Day of the Dead) may be a few days after Halloween, but this Mexican holiday's spooky motifs work perfectly for Fright Night festivities too.
See more at A Polished Colleen »
What you'll need:nail art dotting tool ($6, amazon.com)
Whether you're paying homage to your favorite TV show or simply want to passive-aggressively creep out your friends, try this Halloween-ready take on nail lettering.
What you'll need: nail art brushes ($8, amazon.com)
If you aren't one to shy away from edgy looks, a spiky accent right in the middle of black matte nails looks so cool - and it's totally unexpected.