Long nails are stunning, but you don’t need them for a spooky Halloween vibe. Short nails are super popular and practical right now, and they can totally rock the witchy October look. We talked to five expert nail artists to share ideas for short Halloween nails. Check out 17 fun designs, from simple colors to cool, spooky nail art.
Classic Black
First up, a super easy classic: jet-black nails. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann says, “Some people love festive Halloween designs, but others want something simple. A solid black or red manicure is perfect for spooky, grunge vibes—no effort or skill needed!”
Black Glitter Ombré Nails
Want to get a bit more creative? Nailsaloon senior artist Marnae Orton suggests adding some sparkle. “Go glamorous but witchy,” she says. “A black and silver glitter ombré is perfect for shining under the moonlight.”
Halloween Swirl Nails
Want a super festive short Halloween nail look? NYC manicurist Miss Pop suggests a bold, swirly water marble design. “It’s fun, colorful, and easy!” she says. Here’s how: Paint your nails with one coat of Zoya Snow White polish. Then, unscrew the caps of Zoya Snow White and black Willa polishes. One nail at a time, use the brush or a dotting tool to drop small blobs of white and black polish randomly, covering about two-thirds of the nail. Keep the blobs mostly in the center, away from your skin. Swirl them with a small nail brush or toothpick, then seal with a top coat.
Minimalist Ghost Nails
Love cute and cozy Halloween vibes? Nail artist Leslie Ayala from Nail Witch Studios in Miami recommends a happy ghost manicure. “There are all kinds of ghosts, which makes this so fun!” she says. “Adding personality to little ghosts is a playful way to get an adorable Halloween nail look.”
Copper Chrome Stiletto Nails
Even if the nails in the photo aren’t short, nail trend expert Christina Kao from Le Mini Macaron says chrome finishes make any nail length pop. “Chrome and glazed nails are a big trend this fall, giving your Halloween look a cool, futuristic vibe,” she explains. “Choose darker colors like brown, gray, or green for a festive yet stylish manicure.”
Subtle Pumpkin Shimmer Nails
You don’t need solid, heavy colors for your short Halloween nails. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann suggests, “If you want a trendy look with some color but no fancy designs, go for a simple, sparkly orange cream polish.”
Chrome Blood Nails
“Bloody drips don’t sound pretty, but a red chrome version can look amazing,” says nail artist Marnae Orton. To get the look, use a thin nail art brush. Keep it simple with red metallic polish, or paint the drips in black and add dark red chrome powder on top. Finish with a top coat.
Blood-Toned Tips
Want bloody French tips without the drippy look? Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann suggests switching between blood red and jet-black polish. “A ‘spooky French’ manicure is a fun way to join the Halloween vibe without needing fancy designs,” she says.
Cosmic Glitter
Want a simple but striking short Halloween nail look? Try a cosmic vibe with dark glittery polish. “Nothing says trendy Halloween like an extraterrestrial manicure straight from the galaxy,” says Deborah Lippmann. “It’s super easy to get this look with my Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in I Put A Spell On You or Dream Weaver.”
Blue Cat Eye Nails
Red, black, purple, and green are classic Halloween colors, but nail artist Marnae Orton says any bold color works for short Halloween nails if the finish is cool. “Cat eye nails are super popular because they’re so eye-catching,” she says. For a spooky Halloween vibe, try a rich blue shade like the one shown.
3D Brain Nails
Want a super creepy Halloween look? Nail artist Leslie Ayala suggests a 3D brain design for short nails. “I love textured, gory vibes for Halloween,” she says. “Bloody finger-brain nails are perfect for spooky season!”
Ghost Tip Nails
Turn your classic French manicure into a spooky Halloween treat! Nail artist Leslie Ayala says, “French tips are great because they grow out smoothly, and adding a cute little ghost makes it even more fun!”
Gold Chrome French Tips
Want a classier Halloween nail look? Try a gold chrome French manicure—it looks great on any nail length. The shiny gold gives off spooky moonlight vibes and glowing jack-o’-lantern energy. To get those perfect tips, use French manicure stickers, but make sure your polish is completely dry before removing them!
Halloween Confetti Nails
Want something more cute and playful? This Halloween nail look is super easy and works with any vibe you’re going for. It’s like funfetti for your nails—just a splash of Halloween colors on a nude base to keep it fun and simple.
Green Insect Nails
Want a cool and slightly creepy Halloween nail idea? Try fossilized insect nail art! Use a neon background to make it pop—like it’s glowing under black light. For an extra fun touch, add some textured chrome or silver around the edges to make it look like a tiny insect fossil right on your nails.
Hazy Void Nails
This cool and spooky Halloween nail design gives off serious ET and werewolf movie vibes. It’s super simple—a black border with a white center—but still totally eerie. Think of it as a haunted version of aura nails.
Aura nails are perfect for Halloween because they have a witchy, mysterious feel. Want to take it up a notch? Use deep lilac or burgundy shades to make the look really stand out.
Matte Red and Black Ombré Nails
Want a bold, vampire-inspired nail look? Go for a black and red ombré. All you need is a dark red polish, black polish, and a makeup sponge. Dab the colors onto your nails with the sponge until they blend into a smooth gradient. Keep layering until the black looks nice and dark. Clean up the edges with a Q-tip or old makeup brush, then finish with a top coat.
