@heluviee / Instagram
Fall is officially here, and, if youre anything like us, that means along with visions of pumpkin spice everything and apple-picking adventures galore comes a whole lot of spooky season prep. While hunting down tutorials for Halloween makeup and picking a costume are obviously at the top of the list, our favorite October to-do is getting a Halloween-themed manicure.
Its important that you start brainstorming the manicure youll wear on the big day ASAP. After all, panic painting your nails at home and looking for a last-minute makeup and hair option when you should be out with friends is no fun. So, might we suggest—especially if youre going with witch or zombie makeup—that you try a look from this years fall nail trends? Specifically, a chic and versatile black-tipped nail design thats nothing short of witchin.
Not sure how a creative black-tipped manicure can get beyond the classic French shape?Ahead, we share 20 of our favorite black-tip nail art ideas perfect for the spooky season and beyond.
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Black Ombré
@bhambnails / Instagram
Gradient, black ombré effects will never go out of style, as theyre easy to recreate and look good every single time. This extended fade is perfect for the witchiest of ghouls this Halloween.
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French Dots
@lavonailspa / Instagram
Love a French manicure but want to take it up a notch this Halloween? Try thickening the tips and adding a few delicate dots to create a more multi-dimensional classic.
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Halloween Icons
@bhambnails / Instagram
Nothing screams Halloween quite like ghosts, Jack-O-Lanterns, and bats. Pair those handpainted details with a matte black French tip, and youve created the ultimate spooky-sweet set.
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Dual Finish French
@heluviee / Instagram
One of the hottest fall nail trends is mixing matte and shiny finishes. A fun way to try this look? A shiny French tip layered over a matte black nail base.
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Spooky Smoke
@nailsbysuman / Instagram
Its safe to say that some of the spookiest spots at Halloween time are cemeteries. Thoughts of zombies, spiders, and ghouls fill us with dread, but these smokey graveyard-inspired nails give us just the right amount of chills.
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Stitched Accents
@amyle.nails
Why stop at plain black tips when you can bring spooky stitching into the mix? This glossy mani does just that. While you could go for a full black-tip French manicure with white stitching if youd like, this one reserves the design for accent nails for a minimalist result thats easy to wear all fall long.
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Ghoulishly Good Ghosts
@bhambnails / Instagram
Horror movie fans will adore this intricate, Scream set. Wavy black and white striped French tips complement the spooky portrait of Ghostface and his weapon of choice
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Enchanted Tips
@enchanteddecals / Instagram
This delicate mani goes a step further on the witchy spectrum by adding hints of astrology to the mix. Since the look is super intricate, this one might be best left to the pros, so be sure to get your manicurist on speed dial or find a good set of decals.
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Glitter Double French
@betina_goldstein
A French manicure is one of the easiest ways to rock black-tip nails, and this one takes it to the next level by adding a second layer of silver glitter. Fitting with your spookiest outfits but equally a chic design year-round, this double French mani is one worth saving for inspiration.
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Celestial Set
@imarninails / Instagram
If you regularly check your horoscope and prefer night to day, then you need to screenshot this simple black French tip, complete with chic gold moon charms.
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Black and Red
@beauteshak / Instagram
If youre head over heels for all things spooky, show your love for the Halloween season with these vampire-esque black and red nails. For extra eye-catching allure, use a bright neon red.
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Reverse Black Tips
@aliciatnails
Here at buuk.top HQ, we love a good twist on a French mani, and this one switches things up by having the accented black "tip" at the base instead. To recreate the look, start with a clear base coat, dot a black polish in a curved pattern along the base using a toothpick or bobby pin, and add a layer of topcoat for a shiny and long-lasting finish.
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French Flames
@imarninails / Instagram
The fiery flame nail trend in a matte black finish looks muted, yet still bold. These nails would pair perfectly with devil makeup and a red-hot costume.
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Classic French Tips
@sculpted_and_polished
If you crave a classic French manicure but just want to swap the colors to fit the season, by all means. To give it a teeny twist, however, pair the tips with a trendy V-shape that looks like polished perfection from every angle.
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Minimalist Black Tips
@paragonnails
Love the look of black polish, but not about a full jet-black mani? Youre not alone. For a more minimalist approach to spooky, Halloween-ready nails, recreate this mixture of thin French tips and well-placed stars. Très chic.
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Black and White
@thebeautymonee / Instagram
Not ready to go all-black with your nail look? This black-and-white nails example might be right up your alley. Plus, for anyone who asks, you can say its supposed to be a yin-yang Halloween costume for your nails.
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Abstract Art
@iramshelton / Instagram
Abstract nail art is perfect for the at-home manicurist, as any unintentional, shaking hand lines make your look more unique and chic.
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Blinged-Out
@nailart.katie / Instagram
Sure, all-black French tips are pretty and all, but add a fully blinged-out statement tip into the mix and just… wow. To recreate the look, glue flat-backed gemstones to the tip of your nail. Since theyre circular, you may want to first paint on a white or metallic silver tip so that the nail that shines through looks cohesive with the gems.
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Swooped Black Tips
@glosshouse
Who said black-tipped nails have to be perfectly French? This abstract swoop nail art makes a case for thinking outside the box (er, line) this Halloween.
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Pumpkin Tips
@amyytran
If you want to embrace explicit Halloween vibes with your black-tip nails, try adding a seasonal design, like these Disney-inspired pumpkin nails. We love how they make a classic French manicure feel more unique, and imagine how put-together youll feel with these nails as you sip on your favorite fall drink.