Vampire Nails Are A Spooky Salon Favourite This Halloween

With autumn comes one of our favourite holidays: Halloween. Whether or not you have party plans this year, you can still embody the spirit of the season with a fresh (and frightening) manicure. And while witchy vibes are always on trend, we have it on good authority that vampire nails are the manicure to have this spooky season.

What Are Vampire Nails?

Vampire nails are a gothic manicure that features long, sharp nails in a bloody shade of red. Taking inspiration classic horror films and the literary archetype of the seductive femme fatale, the trend is all about vampy glamour. ‘Think deep, dark colours in an array of rich shades like blood red, midnight black, and deep purple,’ adds manicurist and Senior Mylee Ambassador, Tinu Bello. ‘Vampire nails are a big autumn staple, inspired by gothic and horror aesthetics.’

And come Halloween, it’s one of the most popular manicure requested at the salon – and recreated at home. The trend is a major hit on TikTok, where creators have made over 162 million posts on the topic. It’s here you’ll find plenty of inspiration for taking on vampire nails.

@gnailstudioph Vampy red cateye #nailtechtarlac #gnails #nailsoftiktok #nailsinspo #nailtransformation #cateyenails #vampirerednails #maroonnails #darkrednails ♬ som original – Peter ♚

How To Wear The Trend

There are no strict rules on how to wear vampire nails – as long as they are sufficiently gothic, you’re good to go. A classic set, however, will likely consist of deep red nails in either a stiletto, almond or coffin shape.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun. ‘Vampire nails can also incorporate elevated patterns or accents that enhance their dramatic effect,’ suggests Tinu. ‘Common techniques are hyper-glossy and matte finishes, ombre gradients, and sometimes metallic or glitter accents to add depth and dimension.

‘If you really want to lean into spooky season, you can use nail art tools to create blood drip designs, fangs, or other horror motifs to complete the vampire look,’ she continues. ‘These elements not only contribute to the overall eerie and enchanting vibe but also make the nails a focal point of any outfit.’

How To Ask For Vampire Nails At The Salon

While most nail technicians will be familiar with the term ‘vampire nails’, the adaptability of the trend means that you need to be specific when requesting them at the salon. For a classic take on the look, ask for almond or stiletto nails in a rich shade of red. If you’re considering nail art, bring in some photo references that your nail tech can work from. This will make sure you’re both on the same page.

Manicure Inspiration

1. Classic Vampire Nails

 

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2. Gothic French

 

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3. Nail Charms

 

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4. Aura Vampire Nails

 

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5. Bloody Nails

 

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6. Coffin Nails

 

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7. Ombre

 

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8. Vampire Bats

 

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9. Mix & Match

 

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10. Short Vampire Nails

 

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Featured image: Mylee