Halloween taps into our creativity like no other holiday—and this is especially true when it comes to our Halloween manicure.
London-based Metta Francis, aka Nailsbymets, says her clients are asking for fun designs ranging from ghosts, graveyard scenes, and carved pumpkins to classic dripping blood nails that use a deep, rich red as the standout shade. For her own nails at this time of year, she likes to strike a balance between the two. “I like quite vampy styles that can be worn once the day's over like stiletto or long almond shaped dark red and black nails.”
From bloody drips to intricate webs, below, pro artists walk us through their most requested nail designs and the colors that make them squeamish in the best possible way. So whether you’re going all in on the scary vibes or looking for something more minimal, let this guide serve as the ultimate Halloween nail inspiration.
Braided Hair
Celebrity and Chanel nail artist Betina R. Goldstein is the queen of minimal abstract nail art. Here, Goldstein uses real human hair for an intricate braided look that is just so cool and makes for the ultimate Halloween mani.
Mother Earth
Should your costume call upon nature for inspo, look to this piece of art from nail artist San Sung Kim. A mix of moss, soil, leaves, and branch-like details reminds you just how beautiful the earth really is.
Edgy Witch
If you’re looking to elevate a French mani, look to these witchy nails on Vanessa Hudgens. Celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt uses studded details to give a classic look some edge.
Pierced Details
Simple but bold, these pierced decals don’t need much added detail to make a statement. Set against a bare nail makes a big impact and is perfect for any grungy and potentially bloody costume you might be wearing.
Bambi Nails
Not into the gore or anything spooky? No problem. Bambi nails have taken over our feeds in 2026, and they are the perfect solution if you want something delicate and soft. Kim mixes browns and whites to imitate a fawn’s buttery fur.
Matte Drip Details
The raised blood decal is a nice added touch to a bright red matte nail. We especially love the contrast between the glossy details and the matte base to make the look even more interesting.
Blood, But Glam
Who says blood nails have to be graphic? Make them chic and extra glam with some gem stone details against a bare nail so that they really pop.
Wide Eyes
Nail decals shouldn’t only be for the top of the nail. Goldstein plays it up with these eye ball decor glued to the inside of long, pointed nails for an unexpected but super fun look.
Small Bites
Again, it’s all in the small details. Goldstein adds these tiny teeth to the inner edge of the thumb and middle fingers. Perfect for when you need to “clock” it or when you want something subtle for your Halloween mani.
Glossy Noir
A pure classic that’s effortless (and timeless if you’re looking to extend your mani past your Halloween obligations), one can never beat a glossy black nail.
Flame & Skull
More is more when it comes to nails in the world of Australian-based nail artist, Miss Betty Rose, which makes her an authority on spooky Halloween sets. “My most requested Halloween designs are flame and skull designs, monster graphs and occult-based looks,” she adds.
Bugs Galore
These ant nails are so adorable, it may even warm the hearts of those with the biggest bug phobias. Even if it doesn’t, these are still perfect for those who want to lean into all the bug details this Halloween.
Clear Night
Nothing brings in the witchy vibes like a mani dedicated to the moon. Plus, this deep blue and faded white combo is extra dreamy.
Chrome Flame
Opt for cool-toned flame design this Halloween for an unexpected twist. Set against a bare background really makes this fun nail art pop.
Monster Mash
Paint on some classic monsters, Dracula, The Monster from Frankenstein, etc., against a bright green background to give some of Halloween’s most iconic characters a more lively feel. Plus, we love a white, black, and green combo.
Friendly Ghosts
Not all ghosts are menacing. These adorable smiley ghost decals are so friendly, they’d give Casper a run for his money.
Jelly Texture
As for what designs and details she’s gearing up to paint this year? “I love to layer jelly colors for Halloween to give dimension with the design,” says Rose. “Jelly blacks and brown with fine line detail between the layers make a great base for the most spooky designs.”
Chrome Checkerboard
Giving Alice in Wonderland vibes, this chrome checkered nail look is a bold mani that you can wear way past the 31st.
Neon Green
Green slime but make it cool. A simple neon green mani is fitting for all your Halloween festivities.
Dripping Blood
Not sure where to start, go for blood—on your nails that is. “When it comes to my most highly requested design for Halloween, it’s definitely blood drips,” says California-based nail artist Laysa Cazares.
Matte Ribbon
A ribbon design against a bare background is striking on its own. Opt for a matte finish to elevate the look.
Halloween Pinks
Just because it’s Halloween, doesn’t mean you have to go full-on gore. As it turns out, Scream’s Ghostface looks kind of cute in pink. “My most requested Halloween designs are usually spiders, webs, horror movies such as Scream, and anything resembling blood,” says artist Marbles Valdez, owner of MVZ Beauty Studio in the Lower East Side.
Cute Aggression
Valdez’s work, a mix of kawaii cuteness, extra-large decals, and colorful prints, doesn’t shy away from making the kind of statement you want this time of year. Her go-to colors for spooky nails are green, orange, black, and purple. “I love the Valentino and Madam Glam polishes.”
Aura Nails
Her tip for extending the life of your manicure after the pumpkins have been put away? Go for an abstract. “Aura or airbrushed nails with a fun spooky color palette is super cute for the holidays and wearable after Halloween is over!”
Spooky Details
“The most requested designs would definitely be blood dripping from the cuticle, spider webs on accent nails and fangs,” says Michelle Ramirez, a nail artist at New York City’s trendy AKIKO salon. “As for shape, it’s definitely pointy or round, which makes the nail look longer.”
Chic Skeletons
When you’ve got nail art as an ode to the great Karl Legerfeld, you can’t wrong. Skeletons can totally be fun. To lighten up a classic Halloween-themed nail, paint on a mix of color shades(We see an ode to Karl in this nail).
Negative Space
Yumi Lee is another pro at AKIKO Salon who personally loves a good Deborah Lippmann polish when it comes to creating one of her eye-catching designs. “The designs I often get requested are pumpkins, spider webs, and eyeballs. I think the stiletto shape makes them look more witchy and spooky.”
Orange Pumpkins
As far as colors to have on your radar, Lee has noticed the popularity of pumpkin orange which is bound to take over as more people prep for the season’s festivities. Her tips for turning your Halloween mani evergreen? Play with negative space. “Negative space nails, like a black French tip, look good even after the holiday. Not only are they are very easy to create, they’re a classic.”
Tarot Reading
An evergreen look for all Tarot girlies, this nail look consists of the spiritual images you’re most likely already familiar with. Whether it be the cards or your nails, let this be your guide for a fun Halloween season.
Gory Details
When it comes to out-of-this-world nail art, Mei Kawajiri has become an industry fave. Unsurprisingly, she doesn’t hold back when it’s time to create a gory look. “Last year I made this super scary and realistic injured nail look!,” Kawajiri tells Vogue. “I used nail polish and a tiny brush to create the blood and creeped everyone out online.”
Total Square
“Black stilettos are definitely really in for Halloween as well. But with the square shape becoming super popular, I’ve had a lot more clients want square nails instead,” says Cazares.
Galactic Silver
We love to lean into anything space related. The silver swirls on the tips against a bare background make for mesmerizing texture to elevate any Halloween nail look.
Spidey Senses
Spider web details don’t have to be scary. In fact, mixed with the right shades and it can be chic decor to spice up any basic nail. Take these ones painted against a metallic green French tip to elevate the entire look.
Animal Instinct
Channel your inner cheetah (or your animal of choice for your costume) and wear some animal prints on your nail. The cheetah spots are a classic and the mix of black and browns make for a perfect neutral nail.
Vampire Fangs
Simple yet striking, these 3D fang decals make a statement. Paint on some blood to get that real Vampire-like effect.
Haunted Eyes
Albeit creepy, nothing sends haunting vibes like a pair eye decals. Set them against a dark base so that they really pop and serve as a not-so-subtle way to let people know that you’re always watching.
Heart Stitches
A minimalist’s dream, this nail proves you don’t need bold prints or decals to partake in the Halloween festivities. Goldstein describes this nail as “stitching up my heart” in her Instagram caption. Simply grab red thread and stitch it along the outer edges of a bare nail.
French Ghosting
Coined by nail artist Hang Nguyen in her Instagram caption, this Halloween nail is a fun spin on the French mani. Dress up the tips with fun white ghost decals against a bare base.
Blue Webs
It doesn’t take much to elevate a spider web design. You can easily just swap out the classic white shade for something that will pop more, like a bright blue, against a black base.
Haute Couture
If fashion “It” girl is your vibe this Halloween, then this Schiaparelli nail look is a must. You get the iconic eye design and other gold details to dress up a long black nail for something that’s just simply stunning.
Glowing Neon
If you’ve ever wanted to try glow-in-the-dark nails, Halloween is the ideal time to try it. These nails use glow powder that looks translucent under normal light and then turns a cool neon turquoise once it goes dark.
Bleeding Ombré
The mix of red and black shades to get you that dripping blood effect in an ombré nail is striking on its own. But up the anté and add spooky eye decals to add scary vibes to your overall look.
Alien Brat
Brat summer forever. We will forever love this neon chartreuse shade and dressing it up with abstract silver line details gives it that out-of-this-world vibe perfect for any alien-inspired costume (or if you’re planning to cosplay Carli XCX, which always works too).
Cracked Nails
Red and black make for a powerful combo for any Halloween nail. Add cracked details to give it a cool sinister spin—in the best way possible.
Rock Star Glam
A ‘90s grunge nail works great for Halloween, even if you don’t plan to go as your favorite rock star. We love this black ombré effect as a French tip substitute for something just cooler to look at.
Stitched Edges
One of the easiest ways to dress up a true bare base, simply draw on stitches along the bottom curve of the free edge part of your nail. You truly don’t need anything else to make it pop.
Metallic Bonfire
Curious about a beauty or wellness trend? We want to know! Email Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.