21 Halloween Nail Designs That Are Better Than A Costume

Just a few murderers casually chilling on your nail beds. Dedicate each nail to the famous horror movie villain of your choice. You can leave the pinkies bright red to draw even more attention to the infamous stars.

Design by @fingerbangportland

This blood red nail effect is perfect if you’re stepping out with the classic vampire costume this Halloween or if you’re just a huge Twilight fan (no judgement). Start with a foil base and then add a red glass gel for the vile effect.

Design by @asabree

To create a spooky spiderweb nail, start with a shimmery base coat and add white lines. Those detail-oriented folks out there can add rhinestones to make the webs pop. Your black widow look is officially complete.

Design by @naominailsnyc

Start with a screening of It, then add a white base coat, then recreate your favorite characters from the movie. You’re Finn Wolfhard’s character and Pennywise is promising perfectly done graphic nails down in the sewer.

Design by @asabree

Take the coffin nail trend literally with, well, coffins. After shaping your edge, paint your nail black. Once dry, add a gold outline and a detail to the center.

Design by @nail_unistella

We’ve discussed our exhaustion of Dia de los Muertos face paint, but as a nail design? We’re still down. Start with a white base, then add flowers for the eyes. Once dry and the finishing details in black.

Design by @lenareitz

Black cats are a bad omen, but they’re pretty adorable as a Halloween nail. Give each nail a peekaboo kitten from different sides of your nail for a fun look.

Design by @lenareitz

Have horror film at your fingertips with this killer look. You’ll need clear falsies, then paint on each knife in silver and black.

Design by @nailsbymei

A slithering snake is a nightmare to most but it makes for a really chill nail design. Start with a clear coat. Once dry, paint a continuing, wavy streak in red across your hand. Detail the snake’s design with white and black, then finish it with a topcoat.

Design by @flowidity108

From waxing crescent to waning gibbous, paint each stage of the moon for each nail. To get the moon’s irregular texture, try a small-scale version of water marbling using a wet cotton swab to dab the gray polish.

Design by @aliciatnails

If you’re more into minimalism, try this nude half-moon design. It’s an understated Halloween nail you can wear well into November.

Design by @theeditorialnail

Mix the marbling technique with a pumpkin hue for an abstract ghost vibe.

Design by @jinsoon

Candy corn might not be your treat of choice, but its orange, yellow and white color combo can provide you with a inspired, abstract design like this.

Design by @paintboxnails

If you can’t decide on a Halloween motif, dedicate each nail to multiple styles with this all-encompassing design.

Design by @hannahroxit

Or take ghosts literally with this adorable outline. Start with a clear base, then paint the ghost shape in leaving the half moon of your nail bare. Add the eyes and mouth details in black, then seal it with a topcoat.

Design by @cassmariebeauty

Black and white stripes will always remind us of Tim Burton. Pair with bright orange nail polish makes it a graphic, seasonal nail.

Design by @nataliepavloskinails

Candy corn is the official treat of Halloween and easy to recreate. Rock an almond nail shape and paint yellow, orange, and white tiers to replicate the candy. You’ll want to bite your nails, but don’t.

Design by @coyarose

This design was hand painted by nail artist Nicoya Grobman on her own natural nails. If you’re a budding Picasso, give this nail design a shot. If you’re just starting out with nail art, maybe ask a professional for help with this one.

Design by @coyarose

Make this look a part of your world. A metallic aqua polish shade adds a bit of an edge to your nails scales.

Design by @hannahroxit