5 Halloween-Inspired Manicures For Short Nails

You know spooky season is just a minute away when everything turns to pumpkin spice. Even if the temperatures have yet to drop and cozying up by the fire is still a couple months away, our culture has been programmed — thanks to Starbucks — to associate pumpkin spice with a new season, one that's filled with ghosts and ghouls. In other words, it's time to figure out what you'll be doing with your nails for Halloween.

If you're someone who doesn't get manicures on a regular basis, then a holiday like Halloween is the perfect reason to indulge. According to a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, manicures are great for your mental health because you get to chit-chat, unwind, and just sort of melt into the experience, leaving your worries at the door.

But as much as manicures (and pedicures!) are good for your state of mind, as they promote positive emotions, it still doesn't answer this oh-so important question: What should I do with my short nails for Halloween? With so many options, it can be hard to narrow down a theme. Whether you're just looking for some fall manicure inspo or straight-up slasher film inspired nails, here are some ideas to get your brain thinking in spooky ways.

You've probably noticed that the coquette beauty trend has yet to move on or evolve — which is great news for those who want to keep their Halloween-themed nails more cute than scary. Adding a few orange bows to a witch's broom, a cat, a ghost, or even a zombie will let you celebrate Halloween with your nails in a way that's sweet, but sassy. 

As much as high-shine nails are trending, going matte can make a Halloween-inspired design really pop, especially on short nails. For an easy look that's on-theme for Halloween, paint a black matte polish base on each nail and top it with orange and white spiderweb, pumpkin, and crescent moon designs. The different colors will stand out on the smooth, non-reflective base like doodles on a blackboard. 

When it comes to Halloween movies, it's hard to decide on a favorite. Whether you prefer films like "Scream" and "Halloween," to "Hocus Pocus" and "Practical Magic," there's a way to work them into your manicure with nail stencils. "Scream" should definitely include the infamous "Ghostface" mask, while "Practical Magic" could be all candles and a witch's brew. If you're a true horror film buff, a simple red drip polish effect on one nail can capture the terrifying aesthetic of many classics.

Accent nails aren't going anywhere, and that's fantastic news for those who can't commit to a one-color or one-theme manicure. In addition to it being a favored look among the non-committal, accent nails are also budget-friendly and, if you have a job that doesn't allow your wild and crazy side to show, then the accent nail can add a little pizazz while you keep things your nails mindful and demure. Make a Halloween version of the look by going with black polish on four nails, and keeping the fifth one bare for nail art like ghosts or a tiny spider web. 

Sometimes, the best way to celebrate any holiday on your nails is by sticking to traditions. For Halloween, that means ghosts, bats, witches, jack-o-lanterns, black cats, and so much more. Whatever your favorite traditional Halloween images happen to be, press-on stickers in those shapes will make your manicure not just Halloween-inspired, but 100% you.