20 Black Nail Designs That Are Perfect for a Moody Winter Mani (2024)

Table of Contents

Micro Tips Latex Cutouts Black and Blue Aura Black Butterfly Wings Graphite Starry Sky Graphic Lines Sparkly Black Stars Elegant Black Negative Space Holy Glam Glam Rock Stars Black Zodiac Nails 3D Smoke Black and White Waves Sparkly Black Tips Monochromatic Mix and Match Nails Black Half Moons Black Florals Black and Glitter Matte Black French

20 Black Nail Designs That Are Perfect for a Moody Winter Mani (1)

Black nail polish has come a long way from its gothic roots—and for good reason. As the color wheel's universal neutral, the shade is just about as versatile as it gets. Depending on how you choose to use it, it can lend an air of edge or elegance to any mani. Want proof? Just look at these 20 black nail designs. Whether you want a sheer wash of color, a bold design, or 3D nail art, you'll find inspiration for your next salon appointment or DIY manicure session.

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Micro Tips

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An itty-bitty black accent can add a hint of edge to a classic mani. If you havesquare-shaped nails, highlight their angles with a few short onyx lines across the outer edge.

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Latex Cutouts

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A high-shine top coat gives black polish a latex-esque finish. This look is especially cool when paired with cut-out designs that reveal the naked nail underneath. Outline the abstract shapes with rhinestones to add a little glitz to the otherwise minimalist mani.

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Black and Blue Aura

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For a moodier take on aura nails, try a blue and black combo. Together, they create a look that feels utterly out of this world. Depending on how bright or dark of a center color you choose, you can tailor the contrast level throughout your manicure.

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Black Butterfly Wings

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This abstract butterfly look shows that the nature-inspired design doesn't need color to be captivating. We love how the thick, curvy lines pop against the naked nail.

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Graphite

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Level up your solid black polish with a hint of sparkle. A shimmery, gray-toned top coat looks almost metallic when it catches the light. It's an easy way to elevate a classic shade, and we love the way it looks on medium almond nails.

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Starry Sky

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An alternating black-and-nude manicure creates the perfect canvas for some starry sky art. We love how the glitter polish and the rhinestone accents make the stars feel like they're actually shimmering.

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Graphic Lines

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A black and white pairing always pops—even with super simple designs. Take this manicure for example. The graphic, line-and-block nail art is minimalistic and chic at the same time.

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Sparkly Black Stars

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Brighten up a classic night sky mani by remixing the colors. Try a sheer, sparkly polish underneath black stars for an unexpected statement. The inky hue takes center stage against the pop of silver.

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Elegant Black Negative Space

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This high-shine, neutral pink and black mani uses negative space to elevate the entire look. It's simple, chic, and about as "quiet luxury" as a black manicure can get.

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Holy Glam

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Extra-long (and extra shiny) black tips create an especially cool canvas for ornate nail decals. These sorts of3Dcrosses and pearls were everywhere on this year'sMet Gala red carpet and are very much worth adding to your next set.

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Glam Rock Stars

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These glam-rock-meets-punk-rock stars strike the perfect balance of edge and sparkle. If ever you want to glitz up a black design, a single sparkle (or, in this case, a rhinestone) goes a long way.

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Black Zodiac Nails

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Use this Taurus-inspired look to guide your next astrological manicure. The clean lines, silver polish, and mystical shapes give it a celestial—yet simple—vibe.

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3D Smoke

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Sponge paint some white polish on top of an onyx polish to create this foggy effect. Decorate with 3D chrome line art, or leave them blank to lean a bit further into your witchy energy a la the aura mani trend.

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Black and White Waves

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We love the contrast that squiggle designs, like this one, create against the angles of square-shaped nails. For the slightly sheered-out effect seen here, stick to a single coat of white and black polish.

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Sparkly Black Tips

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Opting for a black polish with shimmer is an easy way to soften the shade's effect. The silver glitter makes it look more like a dark gray than a true jet black.Try it on your tipsfor a striking and sophisticated French look.

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Monochromatic Mix and Match Nails

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Mix-and-match manicures—featuring different art on every nail—are just as cool without any color. This black, white, and gray version gives you ample ways to play and features multiple trendy designs, including chrome finishes and next-gen French tips.

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Black Half Moons

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Half-moon nail designs are versatile, making them easy to experiment with. Try mixing and matching the sizes and placements of the shape on each nail. We love the way they look on top of a sheer, shimmering silver shade.

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Black Florals

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Give a dainty daisy mani a bit of edge by swapping the standard pastel shades for a monochromatic black and white combo. Dab the simple dot designs (which are so easy to DIY with a toothpick or dotting tool) on top of a sheer, glittery base.

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Black and Glitter

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Hello, party nails. This sparkly black-and-silver combo would be perfect for New Year's Eve or any festive occasion. The contrast between the jet black and velvet silver polish amplifies the drama.

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Matte Black French

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Accent a matte black mani with some shiny black tips. We love how this look plays with texture in a single tone—it's the ultimate lesson in cool girl nails.