@FELICIADEEBEAUTY / Design by Camden Dechert
Matte black is one of those nail polish colors that often gets overlooked when choosing the perfect shade for your next mani. But we have a news flash for you: Black is a must-try nail color that can be worn by anyone, any time of year.
While were not ones to overlook the fact that matte black is often associated with gothic garb and Halloween, we also cant ignore an edgy shade with so much potential. Plus, it all comes down to how you wear the color, not the color itself.
Since that can be a tricky concept to grasp, were here to illustrate it for you with 29 of our favorite matte black nail designs snagged off the gram. Ahead youll find a mixture of all-black, part-black, and mixed-finish manicures worth saving for your next nail appointment. Who knows, you might even want to bookmark a few by the end of this post.
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Coming Up Roses
If youre not ready to dive headfirst into the matte black nail trend, consider these nude nails that feature black floral detailing.
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Matte + Marbled
@youngstunnernails
Heres another nail art idea for those who arent quite ready to go full black with their manicure. This look uses the Young Stunners Nail Foils ($25), making the marble effect easy to recreate.
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Matte Florals
@foxicure
Matte black can seem like a super harsh color choice, but pair it with pastel florals and you have a decadent nail look youll want to wear on the reg.
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Shiny + Matte
We cant stop staring at these matte black tips. With a stripe of high-shine lacquer at the base of each tip, this high-contrast manicure is every bit stylish.
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Cherry Bomb
@the.desired.one
Looking for a rocker-chic nail look? This matte black manicure complete with ruby-red cherries is a perfect choice.
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Pushing Daisies
Heres another floral nail art idea that will make you feel excited for spring and summer without letting go of your love for dark shades.
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Lunar Moment
The astrology lovers in us cant get over this simple matte black nail art idea. The silver glitter moon really makes the look.
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Abstract Lines
Who knew ultra-thin white lines could make such a major statement against matte black nails? Lucky for us, its a look thats easy to DIY.
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Holo Matte
If you cant decide between matte and holographic nails, opt for both. This cool-tinted, dual-finish nail look is sure to inspire you.
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Written in the Stars
@rosebnails
How fun are these psychic moon-and-star nails? The moon phases will require acute attention to detail, making this look best left to the pros.
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Gold Foil
@candynailbar
Its no secret that black and gold pair beautifully together. Just look at these foil-accented nails if you dont believe us.
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Dark Hearts
Nude and black is another color combo you cant go wrong with. Add a few mini hearts to the mix and its even better.
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Neon Dots
@monynailart
We love this easy-to-recreate dot manicure. Simply start with a matte black base and top it off with a line of dots in the shiny neon shades of your choice.
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Outlined Faces
@feliciadeebeauty
The subtle, abstract face outlines accenting this matte black mani are just so chic.
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All Eyes on You
@monynailart
Were suckers for dainty eye accents. Pair them with specks of glitter and were head over heels.
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Tropical Flora
Whether youre headed on a tropical vacation or are hoping to create a vacation mentality with your manicure, this matte black manicure is a nature lovers dream.
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Almond Drip
Matte black nails always look fab, but theres no denying that they look even more fierce when paired with an almond nail shape.
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Smoky Matte
Whether this nail design reminds you of marble or smoke, one things for sure: Its edgy AF.
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Leo Season
@gloss_la
Astrology lovers will dig this simple matte mani that pays homage to the star signs.
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Champagne Cuticles
While many people think of tips before cuticles when adding arcs of color to a nail look, this manicure is proof that confining the accent to the base of each nail can be incredibly eye-catching.
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Faux Stiletto Tips
If you love the look of stiletto nails but arent ready to sharpen your tips, consider this coffin shape with artfully applied paint for a pointy nail look.
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Leopard Love
@nails.by.liv
Leopard, neon, matte black, and negative space make for an unbeatable nail look in terms of on-trend style.
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Negative Space
@nails.by.liv
Speaking of negative space, all you need to create this nail art idea is striping tape, black polish, and your favorite matte topcoat.
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Lines and Dots
@imarninails
Yet again, this shows that a head-turning nail look can be as simple as a few well-placed lines and dots on top of a matte black base.
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Dainty Flowers
@imarninails
If you cant go full polish, let alone full black, with your nail look, consider this demure black-and-white design that leaves much of each nail blank.
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Body Art
@imarninails
If you love the idea of a delicate matte black manicure that doesnt occupy the entire nail, this is another way to explore the look.
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Fendi Fever
@imarninails
Fashion fans, these mixed-finish Fendi-inspired nails are for you.
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Heart Happy
@imarninails
This mixed-finish manicure offers the best of both worlds: moody black and vibrant ruby red.
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Spooky Chic
@donna_cao
If you clicked on this article in hopes of finding a Halloween nail art idea, this ones for you.