Whether you've mapped out your Halloween costume [1] or not, you might want to include some easy Halloween [2] nail designs in your look. Although Halloween [3] 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 [4] 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," manicurist Miss Pop [5] says. "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. No matter which route you decide to take, there's a Halloween nail art option for you.
As for whether or not to go for long-wear gel [6], traditional polish, nail gems and stickers [7], or Halloween press-on nails [8], 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.
Experts Featured in This Article
Miss Pop [9] is an editorial manicurist.
Ghost Halloween Nails
Bring some spookiness to your french manicure by adding ghost-inspired designs on a couple of nails. Then, coordinate the others with something more abstract. These are coffin-shaped [10] acrylics.
Orange Ombré Halloween Nails
One and done! If you don't want to go all-out Halloween [11], just add a cutesy charm to one nail. You can even pop it off once the holiday is over, which makes this a set of extremely easy Halloween nails.
Pink Halloween Nails
Pretty in pink always works. Ditch the classic colors and go for fuchsia and pastel pink. This example has ghosts and even candy hearts that say "boo."
Black and White Ghost Halloween Nails
Black and white is not only the chicest of color combos, but it also says Halloween [12]. These black Halloween nails feature stars, dots, and two cute little ghosts.
"Wednesday"-Inspired Halloween Nails
"Wednesday" continues to be a Halloween [13] staple, whether you're watching the original sitcom or the modern series on Netflix starring Jenna Ortega. To capture the iconic character, go for nail art that includes that classic "W" in Gothic font, lots of spiderwebs, and her signature white-collared little black dress.
Classy Halloween Nails
This set of classy Halloween [14] nails proves that sometimes, less is more. The manicure includes a mix of ghost and pumpkin designs peeking out from the edge of each nail, and a few fingers with solid brown polish.
Pumpkin Nails For Halloween
If you prefer simple Halloween [15] nails, look no further than this set. These pumpkin nails feature a tiny illustration on one finger and an orange aura design and french tip on the others.
Witchy Halloween Nails
Ward off those bad spirits with an evil-eye design on natural nails or a very sheer shade. The black accents give this a cute Halloween [16] nails vibe without being too in-your-face.
Mummy Halloween Nails
These pearly chrome nails get a spooky-cute upgrade with soft pink mummy wraps and googly eyes that keep things fun versus scary.
Vampire Halloween Nails
Glossy blood on top of a matte nail (or french tip) is the perfect gory contrast, especially when you add in some fun vampire teeth.
Black Cat Halloween Nails
As this mani proves, nail stickers are a great DIY [17] option. Add extra flair with a french tip for some simple Halloween [18] nails.
Minimalist French Halloween Nails
This simple black french manicure gets a spooky twist with delicate white webbing and celestial accents, making it the ultimate look for minimalists.
"The Nightmare Before Christmas" Halloween Nails
Big fan of "The Nightmare Before Christmas?" Use that to inspire your black Halloween [19] nails. Have lots of ideas? Go for a different design on each nail.
Orange Stitched Halloween Nails
Want something subtle you can rock after All Hallows' Eve ends? A look like this does the zombie thing in an inconspicuous way. The orange tips are a cute way to tie in to Halloween [20].
Seasonal Halloween Nails
With warm fall florals, subtle cat-eye shimmer, and tiny ghost details, this manicure perfectly blends cozy autumn energy with just the right amount of spooky flair.
Matte Black Halloween Nails
Add some lightness to a witch-inspired matte mani by going for french tips in black with a sheer base. This matte design, which gives these simple Halloween [21] nails a little something extra.
Nude Spiderweb Halloween Nails
Yes, spiderwebs say Halloween [22], but sometimes, they just make great-looking nail art. This example was done on almond-shaped [23] nails.
Black Cat Halloween Nails
Want to opt for simple Halloween [24] nails? Keeping polish sheer helps these little black kitties shine.
Mix-and-Match Halloween nails
Why not try a combo of themes? Stitches, spiderwebs, and a little gore all work together to create fun and cute Halloween [25] nails.
Cat-Eye Halloween Nails
Rich plum tones, magnetic shimmer, and glossy web details give this cat-eye manicure an otherworldly glow that feels equal parts glam and mysterious.
Spider Halloween Nails
Want to opt for simple Halloween [26] nails? Stay on the subtle side with a petite spider painted on with a super-thin brush.
Pink and White Halloween Nails
These acrylic nails are extra long, which gives you a lot more surface area to create a fun look. It's all in the details. Gotta love the heart at the center of the spiderweb.
Neon Green Halloween Nails
Neon green nails (extra points if they glow in the dark) make for the best Halloween [27] nails. Of course, the perfect background for neon-green web work is black, but you can choose any option that suits you.
Matte Spider Halloween Nails
Go into full-on spider mode by combining a few different bugged-out designs. This example looks super realistic, so beware.
Playful Decal Halloween Nails
"Beetlejuice" Halloween Nails
Stripes are always a great idea. And the sparkly purple on some nails, and you have a perfect "Beetlejuice"-inspired mani for spooky season.
Midnight Magic Halloween Nails
Tiny Ghost Halloween Nails
If you're searching for the perfect short Halloween [28] nails, look no further than these tiny ghosts. They can be re-created fairly easily, and make for a fun Halloween nail design.
Devilish Halloween Nails
These fiery red stiletto nails feature glossy devil tails and bat accents for a bold, seductive twist that's perfect for a night of mischief.
Red French Halloween Nails
Balloon Letter Halloween Nails
These playful nails spell out "BOO" in metallic balloon letters, with ghost and pumpkin accents that make the whole look feel festive and fun.
Glitter French Skeleton Halloween Nails
Glitter on all the nails (just skipping the skeleton ones) makes these french tips even more festive. You could even opt to add a nail sticker on the accent nail, so you could take it off after Halloween [29].
Nude Halloween Nails
More of a neutrals person but still want to get on the Halloween [30] nails train? Earthy colors lend a fall feel, as shown with this example.
Short Halloween Nails
Here's a great example of amazing detail on shorter nails. Look at those cute little ghosts! Even if you don't have as much area to work with as longer nails, you can still make short Halloween [31] nails look just as cute.
Colorful Skeleton Halloween Nails
What can we say? This artful, realistic mani just needs to be captured on a canvas. In the meantime, you can try recreating it on your nails at your next salon appointment.