A beauty expert has shared the perfect manicure ideas for this spooky season, and the trend is all about keeping it simple with neutral tones. This is great news for anyone looking to get their Halloween nails done before the big day, as videos tagged with ‘Halloween nails’ have racked up 28 million views in the U.S. in the past week.
After analyzing around 500 popular posts tagged #halloweennails on TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest, experts from Fresha London, a booking software company for beauty and wellness, found that the classic black nails and blood drop designs are out, while cute ghosts and glitter are in.
Beetlejuice and Nightmare Nail Art
The most-liked Halloween nail videos feature a nude, barely-there base (19%). People are shifting away from bold colors like black and blood red, opting instead for minimalist, professional-looking nails. This minimalist approach extends to nail art, too, with many popular designs showing subtle touches like small ghosts, basic bats, and simple spider webs—often as French tips—using just white and black polish.
French tips are especially popular, likely due to the ongoing 90s revival, with celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Rita Ora, and Lizzo rocking the style at major events recently. The most popular designs are those that are easy to recreate, typically needing just a dotting tool and a small brush, making them accessible for all skill levels.
Ghost designs topped the list, appearing in 23% of the manicures, followed by spiders and spider webs (16%), bats (11%), and pumpkins (9%). Google Trends supports these findings, showing that searches for ‘bat nail art’ in the U.S. increased by 90% in the last week, ‘spider web nails’ by 150%, and ‘mummy nail art’ by an impressive 450%.
Nail Art: The Perfect Pumpkin
For those looking to add a bit more flair, glitter is the top embellishment choice, followed by gemstones and decals. The most popular nail shape is mid-length and square, appearing in 26% of the most-liked posts, with pointed nails coming in second at 15%.
While less popular this year, nail art featuring movie villains—like Ghostface—neon base colors (especially orange and green), and 3D details such as veins, drips, and fangs still made appearances.
Top Halloween Manicure Choices
Here’s a quick look at the most popular Halloween manicure trends ranked by base color, nail shape, nail art, and embellishments:
| Rank | Base Color | Nail Shape | Nail Art | Embellishment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nude | Square, Mid-length | Ghosts | Glitter |
| 2 | Clear Topcoat | Pointed | Spiders/Spiderwebs | Gemstones |
| 3 | White | Coffin | Bats | Decals |
| 4 | Black | Square, Long | Pumpkins | Chrome |
| 5 | Burgundy | Rounded, Long | Blood Drips | Polymer Charms |
According to a spokesperson from Fresha, “This research not only highlights the hottest Halloween nail trends of the year but also provides a glimpse into the ever-evolving beauty industry. Nail art is more than just a trend—it’s a dynamic form of self-expression that inspires creativity. From classic French tips to playful 3D designs, the world of nail art continues to push boundaries and reflect the unique tastes of beauty enthusiasts everywhere. We hope this inspires everyone to try new trends and express themselves through their manicures!”
