These manis are giving chic noir.
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A rainbow of colors is yours for the taking when designing your next mani, but there’s something about the allure of an inky black manicure—especially this time of year—that just feels right. The hue evokes some gothy midnight magic while still exuding sophistication and it’s perfect as a stand-alone color or paired with others. From subtle glossy-meets-matte effects to sparkles to metallic accents, we’re sure at least one of these edgy black nail designs will inspire.
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Minimalist Space
This minimalist black nail design is perfect for anyone who wants just a hint of flavor in their manicure. Choose two accent nails to paint a creamy nude hue, then paint the rest black. On the accent nails, create an abstract swoop with your black polish and fill it in.
Matte & Glossy
For a subtle dose of texture, place a matte top coat over nails on the left side and a glossy coat on the other. Use a fine nail brush to draw on abstract squiggles, using matte for the glossy hand and glossy for the matte hand.
Hint of Pink
If an all-black manicure feels a bit too stark, let your girlish side poke through a little bit with a pale pink accent nail. This one is slightly glittery and features a horizontal stripe of shiny silver.
Embellished Black French Tips
This edgy black nail design combines black with silver and white for a bold, contrasted effect. Apply a nude polish onto two accent nails and then add a black French tip to each. Reverse this for the remaining three nails, creating a nude-colored French tip over a black painted nail. Add silver and white embellishments as you see fit.
Black Cross Nails
Here’s a good one for those craving a more intricate black manicure design. Start by painting your nails a creamy, pink-leaning nude and then use a nail pen to draw crosses on each nail. Add a gemstone at each intersection for a sparkly moment.
Gold Celestial Black Nails
These celestial, Riverside inspired nails are bound to turn heads thanks to the attention to detail and textural elements. Paint two accent nails solid black, then create a reverse French tip for the others. Apply a base coat and, while still tacky, add metal sticker embellishments. Finish with two or three top coat layers to keep your mani vibing for longer.
Silver Celestial
Not a fan of nail stickers but want the celestial aesthetic? Try this mani instead. Paint your nails a creamy nude, then add a black French tip to each. Use a fine nail pen and white police to create dots and stars, then use the pen to create half-moon outlines at the bottom.
Negative Space Black Mani
Keep it simple with this contrasting negative space nail design. Start with a nude base, then use a fine nail brush dipped in black paint to create the swooping design that travels in one effortless line from the nail bed to nail tip.
Red and Black Ombre Nails
This highly dramatic manicure—which the nail artist dubbed “dracula aura” nails—showcases a seamless blend of bloodred and inky black. To create the look, paint red in the center of a nail/makeup sponge and then black around the red. Press onto your nails several times, allow to dry slightly, then repeat until you build up opacity. Wipe away any nail polish on your fingers and seal it with a top coat.
Glittery Black Nails
Even though this black nail design is simple to recreate, it packs a major punch. To recreate the look, paint your nails black and then apply one or two coats of a fine silver topcoat. If you want more color, opt for a rainbow holographic glitter instead.
Matte Leopard Black Nails
Go wild with this edgy black mani, which features both leopard print and solid black nails. Paint two accent nails nude, then add misshapen brown dots. Use a fine nail art brush to outline parts of the dot with black. Paint your other nails black and finish a matte top coat.
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