Ghoulish, but make it glam.
Double, double toil and trouble, something spooky—yet chic—is brewing.
Sculptural skeletons. Vampy claws dipped in glitter. Sparkling black magic-inspired designs. Charming chrome ghosts. No, we’re not reciting a witchy spell; we’re introducing you to some of the season’s coolest nail designs. Swapping out glamour for gore, we’re taking classically creepy and supernatural elements of traditional Halloween manicures to chic new heights.
Ahead, we’ve sourced six sets of Halloween nails that’ll serve as the ultimate mani inspiration for anyone with a taste for the ghoulish this season. Plus, we’ve rounded up the easy-to-use equipment you’ll need to recreate each look. Scroll on if you dare.
Bare Your Bones
Give a classic milky manicure a spooky makeover with this skeleton set. Subtle enough to satisfy even serial manicure minimalists, this barely-there bone design is a safe bet for the Halloween season if you want to go the chic route. By layering thick strokes of white polish to form the “bones” of the look, your final result will be a textured, multi-dimensional manicure that is truly elevated.
To help sculpt the bones of your skeletal mani, reach for a nail art pen or brush like this one from Beetles. With a precision tip, tight bristles, and a flexible brush, you’ll be able to draw on the Halloween nail art of your dreams (or nightmares) with ease.
Vampy Ombré
Whether you’re more of a Cullen or a classic Dracula, these true blood ombré claws are sure to give off vampire vibes. You can never go wrong with a timeless black manicure during the month of October (or any month, really), but a swipe of deep red polish along the tips gives it a lethal-looking edge that screams Halloween. Incorporate a hint of glamour by using a glittery red polish, and you’ve found the perfect balance of both beauty and beast.
To create your base, shop an inky black shade of polish that’ll be sure to make your red tips pop. Essie’s “Now or Never” Expressie polish will deliver just that in under a minute thanks to its quick-drying formula.
O.P.I’s 2023 Big Zodiac Energy Fall Collection just dropped, and along with it came the perfect shade of sparkling red to top off a bloody good manicure. The shade in question? “Kiss My Aries.”
Checkerboard Chic
If your manicures tend to veer more abstract, give this checkerboard set a try. Dotted with dainty doodles of witch hats, ghosts, pumpkins and crescent moons, the bare nails between your checkered fingertips serve as a canvas for all of your favourite (and seasonally appropriate!) nail designs. This set really allows you to get creative and cater your look to the costume you may be wearing come Halloween night, while the checkered pattern and colour palette here has a vintage Halloween feel that oozes pure nostalgia.
When you don’t have the time (or perhaps the patience) to commit to drawing your own nail designs, nail art strips are at your service. Conveniently, Inkbox offers a checkered set of nail strips that were practically made for this mani.
If you’re up for the hand-drawn nail art challenge, you’ll need a solid set of nail brushes to get you through the process. Our pick? This 3-piece brush set by Butter London.
A Black Magic Mani
Something wicked this way comes! Wicked good, that is. This black magic-inspired nail art is giving all of the witchy, tarot, energy you could ever ask for in a manicure and more. A glittery green-rimmed skull here, a plum-lined set of magical crystals there. We’re picking up mystical vibes from this almond-shaped nail set, and we’re obsessed.
Featured in the above manicure, these limited edition and easy-to-apply nail art tattoos by Lights Lacquer are the secret to achieving this spellbinding set. Simply cut out your desired design, wet the paper, then peel and stick your decal onto your nail. Just like magic.
Chrome Ghosts
Chrome nails have been circulating the manicure trend space all year long, and we’re not ready to let go of them just yet. Our favourite take on the trend for the season ahead? Transforming classic ghost designs into grunge-y ghouls by working chrome accents into funky monochrome manicures to form the ultimate “cool girl” nail set.
For that chromatic finish, stock up on this Magic Chrome Powder by Daily Charme. No need to be a pro to pull off this nail trend, this powder provides salon-style results that are scarily gorgeous right from the comfort of your own home. Go ahead, get your ghost on.
Spiderweb French Tips
If spiders and cobwebs give you the creeps, this manicure may just change your mind. Trade in your traditional French Tips for nails lined with dainty spiderweb designs that read more chic than scary. To up the ante, add a little glitter or metallic detail over each web to lighten the mood and introduce an element of pizzazz. Isn’t it wonderful what a little glitter can do for the soul?
Oh, the magic of press on nails! Right in time for spooky season, Quo Beauty’s Halloween 2023 Collection has just arrived — and it includes a cobweb-tipped set of press-ons that’ll help you achieve this look in a matter of minutes.
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