8 Halloween nail art design ideas and how to recreate them at home

Your guide to boo-tiful nails for Halloween — so stunning, they’re scary.

As Halloween creeps closer, it’s time to take your spooky season style to the next level, and your nails are the perfect canvas.

This year’s Halloween nail trends are a thrilling blend of eerie elegance, bold colours and intricate details.

Whether you want to make a statement at a pumpkin patch or simply add a subtle touch of spooky glamour for every day, we’ve got you covered.

L360 has rounded up the top Halloween nail trends for 2024 and put together easy step-by-step instructions on how to recreate them at home for the DIY queens among you.

Gothic French tips

Black French tips are a stunning combo of edgy and luxe.

This trend is perfect for those who love the gothic vibe but want something chic enough to wear beyond Halloween.

Read more: Experts reveal the best Halloween treats to make at home

How to recreate it at home

What you’ll need: matte black polish, chrome powder or metallic silver polish, topcoat, makeup sponge.

Steps:

1. 1. Apply a base coat to protect your nails.
   2. Paint two coats of your chosen colour to your nails and allow to dry fully.
   3. Dab some black paint onto a sponge and then press the tips of your nails onto the paint.
   4. Seal the look with a matte topcoat for extra drama.

Not a DIY whiz? House of Amor’s Glazed & Unfazed press-on nails (£9.99) are perfect for getting the look in a matter of minutes.

Back to black

Hayley Walker, beauty expert at Justmylook says: “For a minimal yet Halloweeny style, opt for classic ink-black nails.

“This simple nail design is perfect for this time of year, allowing you to conjure the season’s dark and spooky vibe.”

Read more: Five of the spookiest Halloween cocktails you can make at home

Hayley suggests enhancing this style by adding a subtle shimmer for a chic and glamorous effect.

She recommends achieving the Halloween staple at home using the OPI Lady In Black Nail Polish (£15.60) for a classic black design.

Add some razzle dazzle with this multi-pack of nail decals from Amazon for £4.99.

Pumpkin nails

Don’t just reserve pumpkins for your spiced lattes — the orange gourds make for a super-cute nail design.

Hayley says: “Orange-coloured nails will be huge this Halloween, as many opt for the seasonal hue.

“We’ll see this colour used for multiple nail designs, including pumpkin nails.”

Read more: Three delicious vegan Halloween treats you can make at home

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Charlotte Cliff (@charlotteellennails)

How to recreate it at home

What you’ll need: orange polish, black polish, a nail art pen or toothpick, clear top coat.
Steps:

1. Use the orange polish as your base.
2. Carefully draw cartoon facial features with the black paint and a dotting tool or toothpick, making the entire nail a pumpkin.
3. Wait until totally dry and then lock in with a clear top coat.

Not got a steady hand? Purchase some sheets of spooky stickers from Amazon for £4.29.

Dripping blood nails

For a classic horror-inspired look, dripping blood nails give off a sinister yet sleek vibe.

Sophie Vongkhamsao, beauty and nail content specialist at Fresha, says: “A deep red drip design over black or nude backgrounds can give a dramatic, vampy look.”

Whether you’re channelling a vampire or just love the spooky aesthetic, this trend is a timeless Halloween favourite.

How to recreate it at home

Sophie Vongkhamsao has shared how to create this drop-dead gorgeous look at home.

What you’ll need: deep red polish, nude polish (optional for the base), fine nail brush or dotting tool, topcoat.

Steps:

1. File your nails into a sharp stiletto shape. The stiletto shape is usually extra-long so nails don’t need to be clipped down to a shorter length. Instead, buff out any rough edges to create a semi-pointed look.
2. Apply one coat of nude polish. This will serve as the backdrop for your blood drips. Allow the base to fully dry before moving on.
3. Using a nail art brush, dip it into your black polish and outline the deep red polish. Begin drawing irregular drip shapes starting from the tip of the nail. You can make each drip different in length and thickness for a more realistic blood effect. Focus on making the ‘blood’ appear like it’s dripping down from the tip. Let this totally dry.
4. Finish off the look with a thin layer of topcoat to seal the design and help it last longer.

Ghostly Frenchies

Want a subtle nail design that merges classy with spooky? Sophie recommends ghostly French tips.

How to recreate it at home

What you’ll need: nude polish, white polish, black polish, a small dotting pen or toothpick

Steps:

1. Once your nails are cleaned, file your nails into an almond shape. This shape usually keeps a good length at the centre, so try to file down the side of your nails while maintaining this.
2. Apply one or two coats of a nude or sheer pink polish. This creates a clean, neutral background for the ghost design.
3. Using a thin nail art brush, dip into your white polish (or glow-in-the-dark white polish for a spooky twist). Begin by painting curved French tips, but make the tips irregular and wavy to resemble ghostly shapes on each (or just one) nail. You can vary the height and width of each ghost tip to make the design playful and unique. Let the polish dry completely before moving on.
4. Using a black polish or a nail art pen, create the ghost faces on the white French tips. Draw two small eyes and a little ‘O’ shape for the mouth on each ghost tip. Use a dotting tool or a fine brush if you want the perfect ghost face.
5. Finish off the look by applying a generous layer of topcoat to protect your design and give it a smooth, glossy finish. This will also make your ghostly Frenchies last longer.

Holographic magic and Tarot nails

Witch, please. Modernise the classic witchy look by embracing the spiritual mystique of the stars.

Sophie says: “With a holographic galaxy base polish, add mystic symbols like crescent moons, stars or Tarot-inspired symbols in gold or silver finishes to channel those celestial vibes.”

How to recreate it at home

What you’ll need: holographic or chrome polish, yellow, gold or white polish, nail art pen or a toothpick

Steps:

1. Once your nails are prepped, file them into your desired shape while keeping a good length to provide ample space for the design.
2. To get the celestial background, opt in for a holographic polish for the base. This can be in shades of black, purple or dark blue (depending on your galaxy look preference). Allow the base to dry thoroughly before moving on.
3. Now, it’s time to channel the magic! To create the crescent moons, stars, zodiac or any other witchy designs, use thin nail art brushes and dotting tools with gold or silver polish or a metallic nail art pen. If you’re not that confident in freehanding, you can use nail stencils or stickers for these intricate designs. (Bonus: If you want a more complex galaxy effect, you can sponge on light dabs of white, purple, or blue polish over the base before adding the holographic topcoat. This will give your nails extra depth, like a true galaxy backdrop!) Let the polish completely dry.
4. Once your mystical designs are dry, apply a glossy topcoat to protect your artwork and enhance the holographic shine. This will give your nails a smooth finish and prevent chipping.

Alternatively, purchase these Tarot nail decals from Amazon for £4.49.

Ghostly glow-in-the-dark nails

Embrace the supernatural with glow-in-the-dark nails, perfect for adding a playful twist to your Halloween costume.

These nails transition from a vibrant look during the day to an eerie glow under the moonlight.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @bipinails

How to recreate it at home

What you’ll need: glow-in-the-dark nail polish (colour of your choice), black or white base coat, topcoat.

You can purchase a glow-in-the-dark top coat from Nail Polish Direct (£5.91) to add a neon shine to any design.

Steps:

• 1. Start by painting your nails with a black or white base coat (white makes the glow polish pop more).
  2. Apply two layers of glow-in-the-dark polish.
  3. Finish with a glossy topcoat to lock in the glow and keep your nails shiny during the day.
  4. Charge them under bright light before stepping out into the night for the ultimate ghostly glow.

Cobwebs and creepy critters

Cobwebs are synonymous with Halloween, and this nail trend adds a sophisticated yet spooky twist to your manicure.

Opt for a nude or black base and create delicate white webs with spiders, giving your nails a playful yet eerie look.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Amber Young (@ambeerrr)

How to recreate it:

What you’ll need: black or nude polish, white polish, nail art pen or toothpick, topcoat.

Steps:

• 1. Start with a black or nude base coat.
  2. Using a fine brush or nail art pen, draw thin white lines across your nails to create a web-like effect.
  3. Add a spider design by drawing a small circle with legs on one of your nails for added creepiness.
  4. Finish with a topcoat to seal your design.