Whether you've mapped out your Halloween costume or not, you might want to include some easy Halloween nail designs in your look. Although Halloween is one night a year, that doesn't mean you can't celebrate with your manicure all month long. Thanks to the plethora of Halloween nail ideas on Instagram, you can add a touch of spookiness to your look for the entire month leading up to Oct. 31. After all, who said the spooky season can't start in fall and carry through till the holidays?
"Halloween nail art for me is a chance to embody whatever character or object I'm dressed up as, down to the fingertips," editorial manicurist Miss Pop tells POPSUGAR. "With costuming, it's all in the details." There are easy Halloween nails to suit every style and costume — go subtle with moody nail colors or all out with jack-o'-lantern or candy corn designs.
As for whether or not to go for long-wear gel, traditional polish, nail stickers, or Halloween press-on nails, it's all up to you. "Gel is a much better choice if you're looking for something extra like a 3D look, gems, or a chrome finish," Miss Pop says. "Although, I really love lacquer because I like the opportunity to switch my nail look every week."
Whatever you choose, you'll need some ideas if you're heading to the salon. "Even the most creative nail artist would like to see your inspo to get a better sense of what you'd like to wear," Miss Pop says. "You don't have to do a bunch of research or bring Halloween-nail-art pics with you, but just a couple of images of things you like — anything from cartoons to art to an article of clothing — is perfect."
Ahead, we've done some of the legwork for you by compiling a list of simple Halloween nails — from PG-approved designs like ghosts to gory styles inspired by your favorite horror-movie villains.
Bring some spookiness to your french ghost-inspired designs on a couple of nails. Then coordinate the others with something more abstract.
Ward off those bad spirits with an evil-eye design on natural nails or a very sheer shade.
One and done! If you don't want to go all-out Halloween, just add a cutesy charm to one nail.
As this mani proves, nail stickers are a great DIY option. Add extra flair with a french tip.
Black and white is not only the chicest of color combos, but it also says Halloween.
Less might be more. Consider designating nail art to a couple of nails for a subtle take.
If you're looking for something to go the distance, a witchy look like this will get tons of compliments way after Halloween.
Have lots of ideas? Go for a different design on each nail.
A pentagram and an opalescent green polish feel like magic.
Want something subtle you can rock after All Hallows' Eve ends? A look like this does the zombie thing in an inconspicuous way.
This look hits all the notes — it has Halloween colors, zombie vibes, and gems.
Add some lightness to a witch-inspired matte mani by going for nail art in black with a sheer base.
Keeping polish sheer helps these little kitties shine.
Manis are even cooler when you have to look closer to see exactly what's going on. This one uses both matte and glossy polishes to create an intricate webbed design.
Pretty in pink always works. Ditch the classic colors, and go for fuchsia and pastel pink.
Bloody-looking polish dripped over a neutral nail looks scarily authentic.
Yes, spiderwebs say Halloween, but sometimes, they just make great-looking nail art.
Why not try a combo of themes? Stitches, spiderwebs, and a little gore all work together.
More of a neutrals person? Earthy colors lend a fall feel.
Stay on the subtle side with a petite spider painted on with a super-thin brush.
It's all in the details. Gotta love the heart at the center of the spiderweb.
Of course, the perfect background for neon-green web work is black.
Here's a great example of amazing detail on shorter nails. Look at those cute little ghosts!
Go into full-on spider mode by combining a few different bugged-out designs.
Tone-on-tone spiderwebs get the Halloween point across in a delicate, subdued way.
Glitter on all the nails (just skipping the skeleton ones) makes these french tips even more festive.
Stripes are always a great idea. And the solid black in the middle of a "Beetlejuice"-inspired mani breaks them up perfectly.
What can we say? This artful mani just needs to be captured on a canvas.
Glossy blood on top of a matte nail is the perfect gory contrast.
Skeletons that look like daisies are both sassy and spooky.