Let’s face it, 2020 might not be your best Halloween costume year. In light of safe social distancing guidelines (which you should follow!) trick or treating is cancelled, Halloween parties are going virtual, and that perfect group costume idea will have to wait until next year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still get in the spirit.
We rounded up some of the best Halloween nail art ideas on Instagram that are easy enough to DYI at home. Happy (at home) haunting.
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Glitter Devil Tips
For a devilish take on a French manicure, use sparkly red polish to give your tips a little fear factor.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by PAINT BY JAZ (@paintbyjaz) on
Credit: @paintbyjaz
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Swirly Ghosts
Unlike some nail art inspo that requires scarily good precision, these cute ghosts are all about asymmetry. Paint some swirly white blobs, add two black eyes and voila.
Credit: @nailartbysig
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Sparkly Spiderwebs
Spiderweb nails for Halloween are about as expected as spiked cider but this version with sparkly silver polish feels especially elevated. Plus if you mess up, it will be less noticeable than black webs.
Credit: @betina_goldstein
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Classic Halloween Candy
It doesn’t get more classic than candy corn. The best part? You really only need to pull off one nail to make this mani festive.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by 💅🏼Kristin💅🏼 (@kristinsnails) on
Credit: @kristinsnails
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Wonder Woman Shimmer
Even if you can’t bring out your Wonder Woman costume this year, gold sparkly stars can still make you feel heroic this Halloween.
View this post on Instagramdouble masked and face shield up to get my friend ready today ✨💗 @debbyryan in stars and moons 💫🌙
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Credit: @stephstonenails
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All Hallows’ Eve Moon
There’s always something a bit spooky about a full moon. Pick up some moon phases nail decals for your own bewitchingly good take.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Bel Fountain (@sohotrightnail) on
Credit: @sohotrightnail
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Blood Drip Tips
There is nothing spookier than subtlety. Teeny strokes of red polish on nude nails make a huge impact. The simplicity! The horror!
View this post on InstagramAdd a little something to your costume 💉 #halloweennails #nailart #manimonday #halloweennailart 🧟♀️
A post shared by Betina R. Goldstein (@betina_goldstein) on
Credit: @betina_goldstein
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Bitty Bats
For another witchy take on a French mani, high-gloss black polish is perfect for painting delicate bats.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Gracie ✨ (@beautybygraceeva) on
Credit: @beautybygraceeva
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Pumpkin Spice
It doesn’t get any easier (or on-trend for Instagram) than a monochrome pumpkin spice gradient. Paint each nail a different shade of orange for a simple and festive fall look.
View this post on Instagram🎃Solid color gel extension special with Loridana $85, pick her in the profile link to get your set!
A post shared by Wild Oleander BK (@wild_oleander) on
Credit: @wild_oleander
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Creepy Cat Eyes
Here’s looking at you. The asymmetry of these glowing cat eyes feels extra chic and easy to pull off.
Credit: @betina_goldstein
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Cat’s Meow
If you want to get really fancy, paint on a full-on black cat, throw on a witch’s hat and poof! You’ve got a spellbindingly good Zoom costume.
View this post on InstagramKeeping the Halloween spirit alive. Don’t you get sick of it meow 🦾😼
A post shared by ❤ Hang Nguyen aka Moon ❤ (@thehangedit) on
Credit: @thehangedit
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Tentacle Tips
Something about the simple use of undulating black lines of nail polish feels particularly serpentine—like Ursula the sea witch in a mani.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Eda & Anna | LFN (@ladyfancynails) on
Credit: @ladyfancynails
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Black on Black
For an update on the classic goth nail, use a matte black polish as the base and then add dots of a high gloss topcoat to add a little dimension.
View this post on InstagramNew video! ✨LINK IN BIO✨to see how I made my own nail studs to create this matte studded nail look!
A post shared by Hannah Lee (@hannahroxit) on
Credit: @hannahroxit
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Slime Time
Update the classic black mani with some neon green drips of slime for a monstrously easy Halloween look.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by ⚡️ℕ𝕒𝕚𝕝 𝕋𝕒𝕝𝕜 𝔹𝕪: 𝕊𝕒𝕞𝕞𝕪 ⚡️ (@nailtalk_sammy) on
Credit: @nailtalk_sammy
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Vampy Talons
The classic red manicure gets a vampy update with these razor-sharp edges.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Queenie Nguyen (@nailartbyqueenie) on
Credit: @nailartbyqueenie
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Pink and Witchy
Maybe you’re just not a black and orange person—pink can be perfectly spooky too. This witchy nail art is delightfully bubbly (without all the toil and trouble).
View this post on InstagramLet’s not forgot the thumbs now… 💗
A post shared by Chez Paints Nails (@chezpaintsnails) on
Credit: @chezpaintsnails
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