52 Halloween Nail Art Designs That Go Beyond Your Basic Black Mani

The spookiest holiday of the year is upon us. While you’re searching for the perfect costume and thinking of which sweet treats to serve at the big bash, how about trick or treating yourself to some easy Halloween nail art to really get in the spirit?

Whether you want to go extra spooky or super chic, we gathered the best designs, borrowing inspo from classic horror movies like Scream and The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as seasonal snacks like candy corn. We even threw a few minimalist looks in the mix. So, without further ado, here are 52 Halloween nail art designs that you can do right at home.

A little texture can go a long way. All you need to start are a few simple tools: some mesh, a toothbrush and a polish. (Here’s a tutorial to guide you.)

Get the design: Annie Mesh Fabric ($8); Chanel red polish ($30)

Have all eyes on you...literally. After swiping on black polish as a base color, try your hand at painting on some yellow cat eyes using a small brush. Here’s a tutorial for some inspo.

Get the design: Essie black polish ($9); Essie yellow polish ($10); Striping brush ($10); Essie green polish ($10)

Take a break from your classic white for a freaky surprise instead. You can use a dotting tool or a striping brush to create uneven lines and achieve the dripping effect.

Get the design: Dotting tool ($6); Nails Inc red polish ($15)

While the thought of a spider crawling on your skin might be your worst nightmare, sporting the creature on your nails is just spooky enough. Use the dotting tool to create the body of the spider and a thin brush to create eight legs.

Get the design:Dotting tool ($6); Sally Hansen black polish ($15)

Speaking of spiders, you can also weave a web on your nails with this negative space design. Use a brush to create five diagonal lines before connecting them with small, curved dashes. (Tip: If you want to make your lines more uniform, you can always use some nail tape.

Get the design: Nail art liner brushes ($7); Essie silver polish ($13)

Here's a fang-tastic design to go with your vampire costume. Apply a red base coat before going over half of your nail with black polish. Don’t worry about the lines being straight—that’s the fun part.

Get the design: Jinsoon red polish ($18) Jinsoon black polish ($18)

Not all Halloween nail art has to be spiders, black cats and pumpkins. Take an abstract approach to the spooky holiday. There’s no right way to do this look just let the brush do the work by creating small strokes with each color.

Get the design: Jinsoon black polish ($18) Jinsoon white polish ($18)

Want a bold look but drawing is out of the question? Bedazzle your nails with a few jewels. Apply a base coat of your choice before dotting nail glue where you want to place your gem. (Tip: Make the dots of glue smaller than the size of each gem to avoid messing up your design.) Then, use tweezers to place the jewels onto your nails and press down gently before moving on to the next finger.

Get the design: Halloween gems ($26)

Here's a sweet take on a classic French mani. To create the look, apply a clear base over your nails and let it dry before using white, orange and yellow polish on the tips.

Get the design: Sally Hansen yellow polish ($3); Sally Hansen orange polish ($3); Sally Hansen white polish ($3)

If Disney Halloween movies (or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party) gets you in the holiday spirit, this design is for you. While it certainly requires a bit more skill than other designs, we have no doubt you can master it with a steady hand.

Get the design: Nail art liner brushes ($10)

While these miniature designs are hand painted (and you’re more than welcome to try your hand at recreating them), we think stickers work just as well. Just peel the stickers off the sheet and place them wherever you want before setting them into place with a top coat.

Get the design: Stickers ($7)

No spell is needed to design these prints. From the moon to the crystal ball, use a striping brush to draw a witch’s necessities to the best of your abilities.

Get the design: Sally Hansen white polish ($7); Nail art liner brushes ($7)

It’s not Halloween without the “Pumpkin King,” so let each nail highlight a character from the Disney movie. Whether it’s Jack Skellington, Sally or Zero, this design can be recreated using a thin brush to get all the details.

Get the design: Nail art striping tools ($13)

Introducing the true symbol of the holiday: pumpkins. Start with a base coat before painting on a half heart shape to create the pumpkin. Then, using a darker shade of polish and a thin brush draw on the lines. (BTW, you can also try this technique as a French tip. Here’s a tutorial.)

Get the design: Essie orange polish ($10); Nail art toolkit ($10)

A boo-tiful design that’s not at all scary to do. Use a thin brush to create white curvy shapes before adding two black dots for the eyes.

Get the design:Nails Inc. white polish ($8); Nail art liner brushes ($14)

No bad luck here. Draw out the furry feline, but keep the focus on the base of your nails for a twist on the half-moon look. Option to add some cat eyes to bring the design to life.

Get the design: Essie black polish ($10)

Whether you attempt a freehand drawing (here’s an easy tutorial) or rely on stickers, this look is sure to make your nails a hot talking point.

Get the design: Flame stickers ($8)

Keep a close eye on this nail art. Apply a light base color before using a stripping brush to draw the eyes and drops of blood. Don't forget to leave a few nails painted in a bold red shade to create contrast (and really make the eyes pop).

Get the design: Zoya red polish ($12); Nail art toolkit ($12)

For the true party animals out there, show off your stripes at your next Halloween event. First, use a base color and once it dries, use another shade to etch on tapered lines across each nail (making sure to leave space for an animalistic print effect).

Get the design: Essie black polish ($9)

OK, so you don’t want to break away from your go-to black mani. We get it. But how about throwing just one statement nail into the mix?

Get the design: Olive & June black polish ($8); Olive & June white polish ($8)

Play with lines and shapes for a simple yet chic design. Nail tape offers clean, straight guidelines for each nail.

Get the design: Striping tape ($6)

Let your nails do all the talking. If hand lettering isn’t your thing, try some stickers or stencils instead.

Get the design: Letter stickers ($5)

Gloss shouldn’t have all the fun. Grab a matte top coat and apply it over a color of your choice to leave a satin finish that’s not pure shine.

Get the design: OPI matte top coat ($11)

Say his name three times, and you might find “Beetlejuice” written across your nails. Use his signature colors—white, black and green—to create the swirls, splats and spider designs inspired by the ‘80s hit movie.

Get the design: China Glaze black polish ($8); Orly green polish ($11)

Create a gradient effect using white and black polish for a haunting look. Apply white polish as a base, before reaching for a sponge to dab the black polish on in layers. Make sure to let the first layer dry completely before repeating the step until you reach the tips. Here’s a tutorial to perfect the design.

Get the design:Nails Inc. white polish ($10); Sponges ($12); Nails Inc. black polish ($15)

A bone-fied look indeed. After applying a black base coat, use a thin brush to create small, curved rectangles, with enough space between them to really bring the skeletal feel to life.

Get the design: Nail art striping tools ($13)

Good ‘ol nail tape (or some steady handiwork) can easily achieve this mummy look.

Get the design: Jinsoon white polish ($18)

Trick the eye into seeing a never-ending snake slither its way across your hands. A striping brush can make the dips and curves look like they’re all connecting together.

Get the design: Nail art toolkit ($12)

Swap the carving tools for a brush and some polish instead. Apply an orange base coat before drawing two, evenly spaced vertical lines on each nail. The fun part? Sketching the pumpkin’s face to match your mood.

Get the design: Nail art liner brushes ($7); Nailtopia orange polish ($10)

Channel your inner Wednesday Addams with this design that's inspired by her iconic outfit. Add a few spider webs to bring the look together.

Get the design: Nail art toolkit ($10); Chanel black polish ($30)

Forget the classic French and opt for black tips instead. Go even further and add a touch of black at the base. (Tip: Use nail templates to create the half-crescent shape.)

Get the design: Nail art templates ($6); Essie black polish ($10)

Because who says hearts should only be red? Outline the shape of each heart using a brush or some tape before filling them in with black polish.

Get the design: Nail art toolkit ($10)

We talk a lot about what to put on your nails, but what about their shape? Coffin nails can be worn all year long, but the spookiest night of the year is a great time to dress them in all-black. First, cut the sides of your tips before filing them at an angle, while keeping the top straight (or slightly pointed depending on your preference). Here’s a quick tutorial to master the nail shape.

Get the design: Nail file ($8)

There’s nothing in the rulebook that says you can’t display all of your favorite things about Halloween on your nails at once. Use any of the ideas above to create a festive mix that showcases why it's the best holiday of the year.

Get the design: Nail art toolkit ($12)

The holiday's peak is really at nighttime (you know when the ghosts, ghouls and witches come out to play). First, coat your nails with a striking black polish before showing off your art skills with some clouds, stars and, of course, the moon.

Get the design: Jinsoon white polish ($18); Chanel black polish ($30)

Hey, you can make a creature of your own...right on your nails. It only takes two steps to bring your monster to life. Apply a green base before grabbing a striping brush to create stitches (aka short horizontal lines with vertical lines striking through them).

Get the design: Nails Inc. green polish ($15); Nails Inc. black polish ($15)

Tortoise nails are a popular trend this year, so how about rocking them with a Halloween twist? First, apply a base coat before grabbing all of your go-to autumn colors (like orange, brown and yellow). Next, grab a nail brush and your first color and begin dabbing spots all over your nail. Continue that same technique using a second color (and a third and so on). Go crazy with the different hues for the spooky season (and of course, here's a tutorial to guide you).

Get the design: Cirque Colors brown polish ($13); Cirque Colors yellow polish ($13); Cirque Colors orange polish ($13)

When you go for the negative space look it completely elevates a regular black mani. Honestly, there's no right or wrong way, just let your hand guide you to all the spots you want. Soon, you'll be left with a chic, minimal style for your next spooky shindig.

Get the design: Olive & June black polish ($8)

There'll be no scaring the birds with this scarecrow-inspired nail art. Grab an orange polish and paint it only on your tips. Next, grab a black polish and outline your nails, before completing the look with some vertical dashes for that "patchy" effect.

Get the design: Striping brush ($8); Essie orange polish ($10); Essie black polish ($10)

Get the best of both worlds with this statement style. All you'll need is a black polish, a white polish and a nail art tool to create the curves. You can also upgrade the Yin and Yang look with a few sparkles.

Get the look: Essie black polish ($10); Paintbox white polish ($22)

There's the classic French and there's this adorable ghostly edition. Feel free to swirl the brush outside the lines to create the small creature. And it wouldn't be complete without two eyes (using your handy dotting tool) and a mouth (so they can whisper 'boo' to anyone walking by you).

Get the design: Wet n Wild white

We're predicting now that everyone will be dressing up as our favorite villain this year. And if you don't have a full costume ready, this black-and-white mani gives off major Cruella vibes. Just get some nail tape, so you can have the striking shades shine through—similar to her iconic 'do.

Get the design: Nail tape ($10); Jinsoon black polish ($18); Jinsoon white polish ($18)

October truly caters to our sweet tooth. While candy is top tier, we can't help but love a warm beverage for the spooky season. This Starbucks-inspired look can be enjoyed long after the holiday is over. Recreate this marble style with a nail art brush and multiple hues of brown polish. If you need a visual or more fun marble styles to try, here's a helpful tutorial.

Get the design: OPI brown polish ($13)

Whether you call it the crocodile or alligator style, this design was a top trend last year and it continues to be a popular pick this Halloween. The animal print packs a statement and works with any color you choose (though black is our favorite shade to show it off).

Get the design: Christian Louboutin black polish ($50)

A cat costume is a foolproof choice, so why not try adding a feline-inspired nail design to complete your look? Apply an orange base coat to your nails and use a thin brush to create wavy black lines.

Get the design: Nail art brushes ($10); Chanel black polish ($30)

It looks like your basic black manicure is getting an upgrade with some pearly white accents to start spooky season on a more glamourous note.

Get the design: Pearls ($9)

Sure, it’s one of the creepiest animated flicks ever, but you have to admit this design is pretty cool. Enter an alternate world and decorate each nail inspired by Coraline (using a thin brush for the finer details).

Get the design: Nail art brushes ($10); OPI purple polish ($11)

Whether you’re a Gryffindor or a Slytherin, fans will enjoy this HP-themed manicure for the season. While you can try your hand at painting the designs yourself, we also found a few cute sticker options to deck your nails with a magical touch.

Get the design: Stickers ($3)

Black and white polish keep this floral design in season. Grab your dotting tool to anchor the center of each flower before using a thin brush to create petals along your tips.

Get the design: Nail art brushes ($5)

Into the ombré effect (see: number 25) and classic Halloween colors? Blend the two together and you’ll get this delightfully thematic design.

Get the design: Orly polish ($11)

To recreate this iconic design, apply a matte black base before adding red drops to the tips. Oh, and don’t forget to add the signature white mask on your ring fingers using a striping brush.

Get the design: Nail art pro kit ($8); OPI matte top coat ($11)