Although we’re not sure we’re ready to admit it just yet, Halloween is right around the corner and there’s nothing like a spook-fest that gears us up for autumn. 

Considering we missed out on Halloween last year (with lockdown guidelines very much ruling the country), we’re betting that this year is going to be bigger and better – with trick-or-treating and Halloween parties a-plenty. Want in on the spooky season action? What better way to celebrate than treat yourself to a Halloween-inspired manicure and binge-watch a marathon of the classic Halloween horrors. 

If you’re in need of some Halloween nail inspiration, that’s where we can come in. We’ve rounded up 2021’s best Halloween nail ideas that, although more chic than scary, still have a generous handful of ghost, grime and ghoul. 

Grab yourself a nail art kit and get ready to screenshot because here are our pick of the best Halloween nail ideas for this year… 

This pink manicure from @naileditbeauty manages to make Halloween pretty – with its pink pumpkins and star designs.  

This gorgeously simple monochrome star design by @vwnails_ is suitably autumnal – but could continue way past Halloween with no eyebrows raised. 

Want to keep it simple this year? Go for an all-out black manicure like this one from @paintedbyjools_ – nothing is more chic than a seriously shiny black manicure and hey, if it chips come Halloween, it’s all part of the look. 

Just in case one cute nail art design wasn’t enough from @naileditbeauty, this Halloween mix’n’match design ticks all our boxes. How cute is the ghost, though?

If there were ever a way to make blood look chic, you can count on @betina_goldstein to bring it. There’s something quite ominous about this single finger drip. 

While no one wants to wake up with a spider near their face, we’d be lying if we didn’t say that @paintbyjaz’s creepy crawly manicure is quite cute. 

Go all-out autumnal with a nail polish palette that’s suitably Halloween-esque – like this chic look from @themaniclub.

Spiders not your thing? Why not go for bats instead! @julesnailedit used bat stickers to create this cool Halloween-inspired manicure. 

We’re obsessed with @umanailartist’s ‘bootiful ghosts’. Paired with an autumnal-coloured tip and matte topcoat and you’re onto a winner. 

If you really fancy your hand at nail art, then these seriously cute Commes Des Garçons nails (complete with devil horns) created by @naileditbeauty will be sure to test your skills. 

Okay, so these hand painted butterflies aren’t strictly Halloween-esque – but upgrade them to moths and you have got yourself a mysteriously spooky mani. 

There’s something about @umanailartist’s manicure here that screams Ghostbusters to us. Play with your colour combinations and the possibilities are endless.  

This ultra-chic moon manicure from @imarninails might be a few years old now – but we love it as much as we did back in 2018. Talk about not going out of style past Halloween…

Main image: @naileditbeauty