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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Credit: @nailtalk_sammy
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Vampy Talons
The classic red manicure gets a vampy update with these razor-sharp edges.
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).
Credit: @chezpaintsnails
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