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Halloween nails: our best nail art ideas

4 min to read

Halloween is coming... Ready for a manicure that's scary and stylish in equal measure? Intense black, poison green, drops of blood and grinning pumpkins... let's have some fun with the colours and symbols associated with this autumn celebration. From minimalist to sophisticated, we have some brilliant nail art ideas to get you into the spirit of things. No tricks, just treats! (Promise!)

Halloween nail art must-haves

Crazy pumpkin nail art

Lanterns on windowsills, table decorations, pie fillings... pumpkins are everywhere at Halloween! So why not add them to your nails as a fun and quirky nod to the occasion? Create this nail art with our Pumpkin Patch set containing the 4 nail polish colours you need (Sunset, Artichaut, Licorice and Snow), along with Copper glitter to make the eyes of your pumpkins sparkle. Pump up the pumpkin by following the video tutorial below!

Celebrate Halloween with some playful pumpkins on your nails. 

@m.o.n.a.j

Spooky nail art

It wouldn't be Halloween without an iconic ghost or two. In nail art terms, they have the advantage of being quite easy to do and very effective. We suggest you start with a bewitching Violette base (or for a more traditional version, a black Licorice base). Then take a fine brush and a dotting tool and follow our video tutorial below to draw some super cute little white ghosts. Jazz it all up with a sprinkle of Lilac glitter et voilà: ghostly nail art that's perfect for Halloween!

Create the spooky stars of your Halloween nail art with our Witchy & Wicked set!

@m.o.n.a.j

Vampire nails

Chic and surprising, this dripping blood effect nail art will make you shiver with delight. Its simple design and deep, rich colours combine to create a terrifyingly elegant result. The secret to this nail art lies in the Beige polish base and the use of the dotting tool to add a few dots of Dark Pansypolish. You then extend the dots to the edges of your nails with a fine brush to create the dripping effect, and allow to dry. Pair your vampire nails with sparkling makeup to shine at your next Halloween party!

Vampire nails and glitter tears: the perfect combo for a Halloween party! @whatwomenwear_madrid

Creepy chic nail art ideas

Poison nails

For a touch of venomous originality, opt for poison nails! We have the perfect nail polish for this: Poison, available in Green™ and Green Flash™ format. Start with a neutral Beige or Hortencia base and create a bold and bewitching French manicure by highlighting the tips of your nails with glittering forest green. For an even more dramatic effect, add some Cactus biodegradable glitter.

Osez la French vénéneuse des Poison nails ! (@look8thenails)

Dare to wear Poison nails, a French manicure with a venomous streak! 

@look8thenails

French Halloween forever

If you're more of a fan of minimalist nail art, you can summon the Halloween spirit by opting for a timeless French manicure in black, white and orange (Licorice, Snow and Sunset). On a neutral Beige or Hortencia base, create a chic and understated half-moon design on the tips of your nails with white or orange polish, edged with a thin line of black. Add a layer of Sunshine Top Coat for a smooth and refined finish.


Another option for a modern, subtle Halloween French manicure is to apply a layer of Matte Top Coat to a black base and then highlight the edge of the nail with a line of glossy polish in the same Licorice black or Sunset orange. The play of contrasts between matte and gloss is terribly sophisticated! 

Embrace creepy chic by adding a Halloween twist to your French manicure. 

@look8thenails

Our tips for amazing Halloween nail art

How to create Halloween nail art that lasts

The key to making your Halloween manicure last as long as possible is to properly prep your nails before your manicure. A smooth, clean surface is the key to a manicure that will stand the test of time. Start by filing your nails into your desired shape and gently push back your cuticles after applying cuticle remover. This will help clear the surface of the nail and prevent premature peeling. You'll find all our nail prep tips in this article.

Everything you need to properly prep your nails in a complete set.

Don't forget to apply a base coat and a top coat to make sure your nail art lasts. The base coat will protect your natural nail and help the polish to adhere. If necessary, choose a base coat specially for fragile nails. As for the top coat, it will seal your manicure, protect it from knocks and prevent chipping.

Base Coat Green et Top Coat Sunshine ou Mat, vos meilleurs alliés pour faire durer votre nail art Halloween.

Green™ Base Coat and Sunshine or Matte Top Coat are your best friends when it comes to making your Halloween nail art last.

Finally, if you are using Green Flash™ polish, remember to dry your nails for the recommended time under the LED lamp after applying each coat of polish. This 'curing' step helps each layer to set and boosts staying power for up to 10 days with no touch-ups. To find out more about using LED lamps, read our special article here.

Must-have nail art accessories

Nail art accessories are the best way to make your Halloween nail art even more spectacular without needing to be an expert. Our dotting tool is essential for creating 'drops of blood' or forming the outline of a ghost or pumpkin. For more detailed or complex shapes like eyes or a mouth, our fine brush is the best solution. All you need is a little patience and practice. Don't forget your corrector pen for erasing any little mistakes. Lastly, feel free to use glitter or special-effect powder to give texture to your Halloween nails and help them catch the light. 

A brush, a dotting tool and glitter are the accessories you need for your Halloween nail art.

Now it's over to you! Bloody, poisonous or mysterious... what will your Halloween nail art look like? We can't wait to see your creations on social media 🤩