Halloween Nails Don’t Have to Be Cheesy—These 14 Ideas Are Scary Chic

13D Eyeball Nails@betina_goldsteinAll eyes will undoubtedly be on this Halloween mani... Give your red nails an upgrade with hyperrealistic eyeballs perfect for the holiday. These are proof that your Halloween nails can be equal parts creepy and chic. After applying red polish, roll white 3D gel paste or sculpting gel into a ball, attach it to the back of each nail, and paint on some very convincing pupils.2Festive Striped Nails@samrosenailsYou can’t go wrong with classic black and orange around October 31. The vertical stripes keep it looking sleek rather than costume-y. Bonus: The simple pattern is surprisingly easy to recreate at home with a nail art brush or two.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Moody Red Web Nails@bhambnailsSpiderwebs are a Halloween nail art classic, and this rich burgundy base makes them feel extra glam and extra vampy. The intricate silver webs add just enough spooky detail to make this a versatile pick that lasts you all October.4Halloween Grab Bag Nails@tamaminailsIf you can’t pick just one Halloween motif, why not wear them all? This mix-and-match mani combines pumpkins, ghosts, witchy stars and sheer polka dots in a classic orange-and-black palette, with tiny gold accents adding a little extra glam. Every nail is different, giving an omakase manicure effect, and the cohesive color scheme keeps them right on trend.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Stitched Up French Manicure Nails@overgloweditThis is the minimalist’s answer to Halloween nail art. Crisp white polish and a classic-looking French mani keep the look clean and classic, while black stitching details give a Frankenstein-inspired twist.6Amber Jelly Nails@craftedbyaprinceFor a more subtle take on Halloween nails, try this ultra-glossy jelly manicure. The sheer, juicy finish keeps the classic Halloween color palette feeling surprisingly modern and minimalist, and it’s proof that jelly nails can be worn well into the cozy season.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Candy Corn Nails@samrosenailsI know this may be controversial, but I love candy corn. So naturally, I love this manicure. Instead of recreating the classic Halloween candy with crisp stripes, this manicure diffuses white, orange and yellow into a soft ombré-like effect that makes each color melt into the next.8Orange Bat Nails@ritaremarkVibrant orange polish plus bat nail art? Yeah, this mani screams Halloween. Though any take on orange and black will be a win in October, this is a super chic way to incorporate the shades of the season. And if orange isn’t your color, this would look just as good with purple, green, or just about any other base color.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Checkered Fall Nails@pop_polishedIf you prefer cutesie Halloween costumes over scary ones, you'll love this adorable mani that's still incredibly festive.10Cute Casper the Ghost Nails@oliveandjuneTransform any blob of white polish into a cute lil ghost with two dots for eyes and one for the mouth. It’s so easy that even your non-dominant hand could do it.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Webbed French Tip Nails@bhambnailsAlthough this nail look is fairly simple, it’s extremely festive (perfect for anyone who wants to be a little ~professional~ from far away, but totally spooky up-close). If you’ve got steady hands or a nail tech on speed dial, you can absolutely paint these on. But it might just be easier to opt for a nail wrap to DIY.12Minimalist Spooky Nails@tendrehandsTiny and oh-so-cute, these adorable nail art pieces are a minimalist’s dream. Peep the candy corn and witch hat! On this sheer base, the dainty nail art really pops.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Faux Stitch Nails@betina_goldsteinTo say I’m obsessed with this hyperrealistic mani is an understatement. If you aren’t too creeped out by the look of them, these minimal, yet effective nails are sure to be a hit this Halloween.14Mummy Nails@nails_and_soulPlot twist: Mummies aren’t so scary after all. Well at least these cuties atop a sleek black polish aren’t.Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.