What do we love about Halloween? Short answer: everything! The chance to dress up, experiment with amazing makeup, and transform ourselves into anything we please is what makes the day feel like pure magic. And that includes Halloween nail art ideas, or fall nail ideas that crossover and pull together any look. Whether you’re inspired by ghosts and vamps, werewolves and witches, or your favorite movie villains—Halloween gives us a chance to express ourselves to the max. And that’s what we at IPSY are all about: showing off your unique self—even if that means summoning your spooky side.
We’re always hard at work searching for beauty ideas to inspire our costumes (including makeup looks for every ghoulish get-together). The halloween manicure designs we’re seeing have us all in the Halloween spirit. A fun manicure (using gel nail polish, regular, acrylic nails, or even press-on nails or nail decals) is a perfect way to not only hop on nail trends, but to take your costume to the next level. We’ve rounded up 75 easy Halloween nail art ideas (along with some brief tutorials. From blood drips to glam spiders to lit jack-o-lanterns, prepare (if you dare) to DIY or show your nail artist for inspo.
Well, what are you waiting for? Keep scrolling—it’s time for your spooky nail moment fresh out of a horror movie.
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From the fun mix of colors to the adorable designs, we recommend this gel look to anyone wanting to embrace Halloween without getting too spooked. I mean, just look at that little ghost’s face.
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There’s a little something for everyone on this set right here. You’ve got your spiderwebs, jack o'lantern, bat, and more. And if you’re not into super dark shades, you’re in luck because the black and orange are balanced out with white.
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If you want to drip in the spirit of the season, we’ve got you covered. It doesn’t get more creepy than nails that actually emulate real blood. Just don’t blame us when the cops come looking for the culprit!
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Not all festive decor has to be dark and dreary. This lighthearted, girly design incorporates key Halloween artistry, but with love and light. If anything, those little ghosts look like they could be your friend.
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We’re loving these intricately designed matte prints. Not only are they are the super festive, but they’re colorful and unique—a fresh spin on Halloween nail art.
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Is it Halloween yet? This beautifully illustrated Blood Full Moon moment makes us feel like we’re right there. The trees, the breeze, the bats flying in the air. Talk about an artistic escape.
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Who knew spiders could be so stylish? This eye-catching holographic nail design is every bit festive as it is edgy and cool. What do ya say? It may be time to enter the dark side.
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Bats have never looked so cool! This black base under a colorful design is sure to keep heads turning this season. If you’re planning to attempt the look on your own, you can start with the velvet matte black KASCA Nail Polish.
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This adorable pinky print will keep you looking festive in all the right ways. Who needs orange anyway? This pink and white combo with a pop of black will match your cute pink sweaters all season long.
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An oldie but goodie, you can’t go wrong with a classic. Everyone will recognize your nail design off the bat, and its fun array of colors will go with many things.
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Before you go poking any eyes out, take a moment to appreciate the intricate design and playful use of Halloween colors. Whether you’re big on the holiday or not, this is an easy way to stay festive while also stylish.
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While this glittery glory sums up a crisp Halloween night, the beautiful dark color can take you well into November once your trick or treating comes to a close.
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For the fall lover who wants to keep it cool, this stunning array of sparkle encapsulates the season and Halloween without any silly prints. These funky designs can be worn well into November with a bang.
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Let the nails do the talking! While the pictured image may be a wee bit long, embrace your inner vampire with these striking talons. No one will mess with you.
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If you’re feeling a little frisky this season, let your nails do the talking. These sassy, vampire-inspired Halloween nails will keep everyone on their toes. And hey, if you like the look enough, you can recycle the style again for Valentine’s Day.
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Whether you’re going as Beetlejuice or just want to get into the Halloween spirit while still remaining subtle, these nails are the right amount of spooky.
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Dressing up as Barbie, a totally groovy ‘70s babe, or anything bright and colorful? These nails are the perfect complement to your costume. Our tip? Go with super bright neon hues to really make this look pop. We love anything by COLOR CLUB.
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Halloween is as good a time as any to embrace creepy and unique nail looks, like this bug and insect-inspired design. Is it just us, or is this actually kind of cute?
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Grab a baby pink nail polish, a black polish, and a super-thin nail brush to create the stitch designs. Beginners can definitely master the stitched French tips, while more experienced nail artists can go for the bloody knife and spider web looks.
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Whether you’re the Queen of Hearts this year or a good, old-fashioned witch, this gold dripping nail art look is to die for. We love a shimmery metallic gold color for this, like FORMULA X’s nail color in Revved Up.
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It’s giving Emma Chamberlain, and it’s a neutral way to get into the Halloween spirit, thanks to the muted green tones.
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Halloween is a great time to experiment with matte nails, as the finish makes all the difference in adding an extra creepy effect to any nail art design. You can turn any nail art into a matte look with the JULIEG Matte Top Coat.
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Scorpio season begins at the end of October and coincides with Halloween. Celebrate by adorning your talons with these spooky little stingers.
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Throw it back to a time when Lady Gaga ruled the world with these Judas-inspired nails that look great with a nun costume or any character who picks betrayal as their poison of choice.
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Coastal cowgirl has been trending all year long, so why not take it into spooky season with this inspired nail-art look? You can rock this mani with your Barbie cowgirl costume, or simply recycle your Eras tour merch to be a cute cowgirl.
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Pink makes everything less scary, right? Not in this case, thanks to the Scream ghosts that add a Halloween element to this otherwise pretty-in-pink nail look.
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Why not turn cute ice creams into ghoulish ghosts? This design is perfect for those months when you’re transitioning from summer to fall and can’t wait to get into the spooky spirit.
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Draw a circle at the tip of your nail with black polish and then add two triangles to the top to make cat ears. Once that’s dried, add white dots for the eyes and go back in after with a skinny nail brush to make straight lines for the cat’s pupils.
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After you draw on a black French tip, extend the black paint down to the nail base in a zig-zag pattern, emulating strikes of lightning. Once that has dried, go back in to define the zig-zags with gold polish for an extra-spooky look.
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Did you know there are different Halloween styles you can categorize yourself under? One is pastel Halloween, where you only use pink and white colors to decorate, and another is traditional Halloween, which serves as a nod to ’90s decor, where bright green and orange reigned supreme. Celebrate a classic Halloween throwback with these brightly colored nails.
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This look gives coffin nails a whole new meaning. Coffin nails traditionally refers to the nail shape that is long, slender, and squares out around the edges, but making your nails look like actual coffins to boot really ups the ante on this creepy look.
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Come on Barbie, let’s go party! This mani takes nods from the recent Barbie film to go a little bit country and a little bit rock ’n’ roll for a totally Barbie nail art look.
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If you’re looking to dress up as a Roy Lichtenstein painting, you need to try out these pop art nails. Paint the base with one singular bright color, and once that dries, draw accents on the side of the nail using white or a lighter shade that complements the bright color.
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This is an easy nail design for beginners. Choose a glittery Halloween-colored base like orange, purple, or green. Then, using a slim-tip brush, paint on white bat shapes. Seal with a high-gloss top coat.
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Use a sponge to create an ombre effect for the background, and then go in with a slim nail art brush to paint the outline of haunted houses. From there, create window accents with a glow-in-the-dark spooky color.
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The fun little fuzz balls that we can’t get enough of make for the cutest Halloween mani—although we’ll probably wear them any time of year. Start with a neutral or bare-colored base coat and paint them where you please to give them a cool floating effect.
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We know candy corn can be controversial, but whether you love or hate it, it’s undeniably Halloween. All you need are three colors—white, yellow, and bright orange—to create an easy treat-inspired nail look. Try it and trust us, it’s bound to be your sweetest mani ever.
(Our Pick: AURORA Gel Effect Nail Polish for a burst of bright orange and instant Halloween vibes.)
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Pumpkins and skeletons are kind of a no-brainer this time of year, but we love the sketched-on effect of this funky cool mani. To create it, paint your nails black, white, and orange. Then, use a super thin paintbrush to create that drawn-on look.
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We see compliments in your future, because this crystal ball-inspired nail art is one of the coolest we’ve come across in a while. The contrast between nude and black is eye catching, and gives it a modern and chic effect that’s equally fit for house parties or chic masquerades. (Our Pick: KASKA Nail Polish in Velvet Matte Black is edgy, long-lasting, and won’t chip on you.)
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When one pumpkin isn’t enough, paint one on every nail! A thin paintbrush is key to creating this artsy design. Add tiny dots or stars around them for a touch of Cinderella-esque magic and you’re ready for the most festive Halloween ball.
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Perfect for Halloween, cool enough to wear anytime you’re feeling edgy. We love a stark white base to make these spooky snakes pop, but try them in gold against black, experiment with neons, or make it chic with a nude base for a surprisingly versatile mani.
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You can’t go wrong with cute red lips, but add some teeny fangs and red blood drop designs and you’ve got a dangerously gorgeous mani. (Our Pick: CONTEXT Nail Lacquer in Take It Off has a beautiful, high-shine finish and gel-like effect.)
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The best thing about these little aliens? Some glow-in-the-dark polish means you’ll see them well past when the lights go down. Place them against a dark or black background for a floating, out-of-this-world effect.
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A classic French manicure is always on-trend. Cover them in intricate drops of blood red polish for the most stylish-meets-spooky Halloween mani ever.
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Glamorous vampire, magical witch, dark angel—this sparkly mani will complement them all. Keep the base neutral and alternate between V-shape French and glitter-dips for a super pretty (and versatile!) look.
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Not all Halloween manis are dark and scary. We love the soft, pretty vibes of this white-on-pink look. Add a gem or two for a tiny touch of glam and you’ll give off all the ethereal vibes. (WE ARE FLUIDE 7-Free Polish in Gala Cafe is a long-lasting, soft and light shade that’s pretty for Halloween and all year-round.)
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Black and gold foil bats are fun, festive, and perfect for channeling All Hallow’s Eve energy.
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Want to keep it simple and chic? Opt for nude or neutral nails with slashes of orange and black. Or make it your own with slime green, hot pink, or blood red.
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We love a multicolor mani—not only does it save time at the polish wall, it gives us the chance to get super creative with all the colors we crave. Make yours Halloween-themed with a range of oranges, blacks, deep grays, and more for a look you’ll love through autumn.
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Make every night a starry night with this beautiful black ombré mani decked with celestial accents—star, moons, your favorite constellation, the sky’s the limit. (Our Pick: PRETTY WOMAN Nail Polish in Ice Queen goes on smooth and bright and makes for perfect accents and intricate designs.)
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The most adorable mani on our list? This cute mani with tiny matte black cats peeking out from your cuticles. Keep your nails pretty bare, and paint on as many kitties as you like. This one’s proof that Halloween can give you cute, fuzzy feels, too.
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This reminds us of some of our earliest Halloween costumes—simple, cute, and easy-to-create. While our tastes (and skills) have grown, it doesn’t mean we can’t channel our childhood with this imaginative mani that’s equal parts cute and cool. Billowing white ghosts peeking out from different directions make for a whimsically spooky mani that we’re sure to wear year after year. (Our Pick: DEBORAH LIPPMANN Gel Lab Pro Nail Color in Amazing Grace for perfect, chip-free ghosts.)
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This simple nail art reminds us just enough of the 90s horror hit Scream to become slightly spooky. Paint black nails with floating ghost faces in every which way, add a “BOO” or two for good measure, and you’ve got yourself a Halloween mani worthy of one (or five) sequels.
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When we think of vampy manis, we usually think of sharp, stiletto nails. But this softer version is pretty and functional (aka they won’t scratch your friends and get caught on your clothes). The red and black ombré effect makes it perfect for All Hallows Eve, but in our opinion, these nails are pretty enough to wear year-round. (Our Pick: This rich red PEOPLE OF COLOR Nail Polish in Rodeo Drive.)
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With black French tips and a clear background, these witchy, spider web nails are—dare we say—chic? Consider them proof that a great French mani can be tailored to any occasion.
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A little quirky, a lot cute, and endlessly fun—this black and white Halloween nail art design has it all. Paint vertical stripes with black polish on a white base for a stitch-like effect (see pinky), dot on eyes, and add zig-zags for Frankenstein vibes (see middle finger). The options are endless.
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We see countless eyeball nail art designs around Halloween and they almost always give us the heebie-jeebies. This one is totally eye-catching (sorry, not sorry) thanks to the contrast of bright blue on matte white. Add red veins and blood splatters, and it’s a design we can’t take our eyes off of. (Our Pick: Paint those baby blues using NAILS.INC Regents Place Nail Polish.)
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Franken-manis are always a good idea this time of year. Make yours cute, colorful, and totally memorable with matte stitch-inspired nails flanked by bright neon green accent nails featuring your favorite undead friend. (Our Pick: This ultra-shiny, chip-resistant, neon green LAW BEAUTY ESSENTIALS Nail Polish in Spear Me.)
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Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Binx from Hocus Pocus—which is your favorite TV cat character? Either will approve of this simple nude mani with black kitten faces and wispy tails. Pop on a set of fuzzy ears, add whiskers, and you’ve got a purrfect black cat costume. (Our Pick: Try the ivory or medium nude shade from this CONTEXT SKIN Nail Lacquer Duo in Piece of Me & The Last Mile as your base.)
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Bring your own boos to your next Halloween gathering with this easy spider web and ghost nail art. Paint webs on one nail or all, then top it off with a sheet ghost accent nail for a mani that’ll put anyone in the Halloween spirit.
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This look wins for sheer wow-factor. It gives us all the spooky, The Nightmare Before Christmas vibes we want this season and looks like a total work of art. It takes a steady hand, so you might want to leave this one to your nail pro (unless you’re one yourself), but with cats, full moons, and creepy houses, it’ll totally be worth the effort. (Our Pick: Create a stunning base coat with holographic purple CIATÉ LONDON Moondust Geology.)
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Eyeball mani, but make it...pretty? With reds, pinks, greens, and blues this super fun nail look will have all eyes on you. Paint them against brown (as shown here) or go even bolder with your brightest colors to really make them pop.
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We never thought we’d find spiders adorable until we saw them on this cute purple mani. The itsy bitsy spider legs are easy to paint on with an ultra-thin paintbrush. Add yellow dots for tiny bodies and you’ve got a last-minute nail art idea that’s packed with Halloween spirit.
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Whether you’re in full skeletal attire or your channeling 90s goth vibes, this gold and black mani featuring skull nails and bones will give your look an unexpected touch of glam.
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What’s more Halloween than pumpkins? Not much, TBH. We love that this jack-o-lantern-inspired orange nail takes center stage. With stars, stripes, and drips of color, it’s one of the most fun manis on our list. (Our Pick: Try this baby pink MISCHO BEAUTY Nail Lacquer in Babylove as your background polish to really make your nail art pop.)
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Fiery flames are a favorite Halloween nail art look because they’re bold, attention-grabbing, and drop-dead gorgeous. Plus, with bold orange and black colors, they complement so many costumes—devil, warlock, bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos—you name it.
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It’s certainly not for minimalists, but if your costume is inspired by the stars and heavens, this stunning galaxy-inspired nail art is for you. Scatter tiny stars in white polish every which way, copy your favorite constellation for a custom mani—the sky’s the limit.
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Not all Halloween looks are fear-inducing. (Note: This beauty editor may have once been a western omelet.) If you’re into something that’s cute, cuddly, and will guarantee some laughs, this fun cow nail art is for you. Add bright pink dots wherever you please for a pop of color and a hint of glam. (Our Pick: Hot pink cow spots will really pop with NAILS.INC Looking Super Juicy Nail Polish.)
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Give us your best ‘70s throwback look with bombshell waves, super-flare jeans, platforms, and this groovy wave mani. Pink, gold, and orange waves give it slightly psychedelic vibes that’s so Saturday Night Fever. (Our pick: This gorgeous, bronze gold CONTEXT SKIN Nail Lacquer in Shake Me.)
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The prettiest goth-inspired nails we’ve seen, period. This skull cameo mani is actually three-dimensional and made using acrylic powder (so it’s best to leave it to the pros). A matte topcoat gives it a vintage effect that’s worthy of a permanent place in your nail art wardrobe.
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At first glance, all we see is a minimalist white and nude nail art design that goes with any look and that you won’t get sick of after a few days. Upon closer inspection, this look is so much more. The wrapped up mummy and spider webs complement the glitter flecks frightfully well, and the color palette keeps this modern and chic.
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Black and orange? Been there, done that! This year is all about pink (we’re looking at you Versace!), and we want our Halloween nail art to be on point.
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Ghosts? Check! Jack-o-lanterns? Check! Bats, spider webs, stitches? Check, check, and check. These Halloween nails have it all—literally—in a neutral color palette that feels cool, not kitschy.
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Stamping plates are one of the coolest ways to get intricate nail art designs with little effort. Exhibit A: These devilishly detailed Halloween nails.
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If we didn’t know better, we’d swear this realistic neon Halloween nail art design requires four AAA batteries. The special effects glow over a black background is super unique and will have everyone doing a double take.
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