There’s not much we love more than a manicure theme, and ‘Halloween nails’ may just be our favourite one. There’s just so much to work with!
Got a fave Halloween film? Match your manicure accordingly. A favourite spooky season snack? Use it as design inspiration. Simply love spiders? We can’t say we share that sentiment, but hey, even creepy crawlies are fair game in the Halloween nails department.
So in the spirit of manicures that are both scary and sophisticated, we’re rounding up all our favourite Halloween nail designs to try. Whether you’re rocking almond-shaped or short nails or prefer pastels or darks, we’ve got a design for you!
Halloween nails to try
Spiderweb nails
Stick to a pared back (and decidedly chic) palette by opting for a spiderweb-style design that features black and white webs layered over neutral nails.
Hocus Pocus nails
Give The Sanderson Sisters the spotlight on a feature nail, why don’t you? This Hocus Pocus nail art is next level, and the accompanying glitter tips are just as festive.
Candy corn nails
Delicious in edible form and deliciously good replicated onto nails, candy corn’s white, orange and yellow stripe pattern is simply Halloween perfection.
Harry Potter nails
Sure, you can have Harry Potter nails at any time of the year, but this set makes for the perfect addition to witchy Halloween costumes.
Cute Jack-o-lantern nails
Orange pumpkins can be hard to get your hands on in Australia, so why not paint them on your claws instead? This design is easy enough to DIY too – all you’ll need is two tones of orange polish, some brushes and black nail art polish.
Bat Frenchies
Because who doesn’t love a classic Frenchie with a twist?! This subtle but spooky set is the ultimate accessory to every October outfit.
Cats, ghosts and stars nails
Ghosts on skateboards, cats in the stars, spooky pumpkin heads – what could be more on-theme for Halloween?! This autumnal-hued design is at the top of our moodboard.
Spooky Ghostface nails
What’s your favourite scary movie? Scream fans will love this Ghostface-inspired set, filled with quirky characters and a black and white colourway that instantly elevates any nail design.
Monochrome mix-and-match
Want something spooky but femme? This monochrome design is the perfect compromise. It’s giving major Wednesday Addams vibes and we are so here for it.
Ghost nails
Not quite satisfied with traditional Halloween hues? There’s no rules against placing your favourite ghostly characters atop a candy pink gradient.
Pumpkin nails
Pumpkin motifs are obviously a major player come September/October, and we’re loving this modern take on the design; multi-colour French tips for the win.
Beetlejuice nails
You best believe we’ll be watching Beetlejuice before the season is done, and we’d be remiss not to showcase this snazzy nail art inspired by the famous flick.
Witchy nails
Magical motifs are obviously one of Halloween’s best features, so we suggest embracing everything from crystal balls to eye illustrations this October.
The Nightmare Before Christmas nails
Another crew of characters that look grand in nail art form? Jack Skellington and his pals from The Nightmare Before Christmas, of course. So many colours!
Classic Halloween nails
Can’t decide on one design/character/vibe? Mix multiple into an everything-at-once manicure that highlights all the Halloween classics.
Devil French-tipped nails
What could be more fabulous than a French manicure with a Halloween twist? Adorn neutral nails with red glitter tips (and add a devilish horn and tail for extra pizazz).
Pastel spooky nails
We’re happy to confirm that bats, ghosts, moons and spiderwebs look just as spooky and fabulous in dreamy pastels. Even with glitter polish involved!
Blood drip nails
If you prefer your Halloween nails a touch more gory, you can’t go wrong with a bold blood drip design. Freaky? Yes. But on theme? 100%.
Skeleton bone nails
Want something you can whip up yourself fairly easily? These bright white skeleton illustrations work a treat against jet black polish, and are both achievable and edgy.
Multicolour ghost nails
Pumpkins wearing witch hats? Couldn’t be cuter; especially considering they’re layered over shades of lemon yellow, aqua blue, lilac purple and candy pink.
Casper nails
What better way to round out our Halloween nails edit than with Casper and his cohorts? Look at the details on those eyes; eerily lifelike (for a ghost)…
Main image credit: @thehangedit
Do you like Halloween nails? Which design style is your favourite?
Super cute but can’t imagine trying to do my house work with my nails all prettied up.
I notice some new images have been added to this article: the Beetlejuice nails are gorgeous but beyond my skill level.
I could manage the Jack-o-lantern or blood drip designs. I might do the Jack-o-lantern myself.
They all look like transfers so probably easy to apply
I like the bat ones -very very clever!!
The Harry Potter nails and a few of the others must take an age but they would be a real talking point I am sure.
The Jack-o-lantern nails are my favourite.
Me too!
The Jack-o-lantern nails are so cute!
I like the French tip bats – but on someone else’s nails, not mine.
Wow! I love them all.
So many different styles and colour ways.