12 Black Nail Ideas That Look Chic, Not Gothic
Black nail ideas that look chic: glossy black, matte, black French, velvet, chrome accents and minimalist black nail art, plus tips for a perfect dark manicure.
The palette
Black nails are having their biggest moment in years. Done right, they look chic and very fashion, especially on a short, clean shape.
The key is finish. A perfect glossy black looks like lacquer. Matte looks like suede. And a few fine lines or a micro French make black feel graphic rather than gothic.
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1. Glossy Short Black
A short, glossy black squoval is the chicest nail there is.
- Shape
- Squoval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Black
- Salon level
- Easy
Would you wear this?
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2. Black Micro French
A thin black tip on a nude base. Graphic and modern.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Gloss
- Shade
- Nude with black
- Salon level
- Moderate
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3. Matte Black
A matte top coat makes black look like suede.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Matte
- Shade
- Black
- Salon level
- Easy
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Read next10 Plum Nail Ideas for Autumn and Winter
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4. Black Velvet
Black cat-eye with a silver line of light.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Velvet cat-eye
- Shade
- Black
- Salon level
- Moderate
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5. Black and Nude Mismatch
Alternate black and nude for a two-tone set.
- Shape
- Squoval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Gloss
- Shade
- Black and nude
- Salon level
- Easy
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6. Fine Black Lines
A single fine black line on each nude nail.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Gloss with nail art
- Shade
- Nude with black line
- Salon level
- Moderate
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7. Black with Gold Accent
A black set with one gold chrome nail.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Gloss and chrome
- Shade
- Black with gold
- Salon level
- Moderate
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8. Black Half Moons
Bare half moons at the cuticle with black above.
- Shape
- Oval
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Gloss
- Shade
- Black
- Salon level
- Moderate
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9. Black Chrome Tips
Black tips with a chrome sheen.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Chrome tips
- Shade
- Nude with black chrome
- Salon level
- Moderate
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10. Black Polka Dots
Tiny black dots on a milky base. Retro and fun.
- Shape
- Squoval
- Length
- Short
- Finish
- Gloss with nail art
- Shade
- Milky with black dots
- Salon level
- Moderate
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11. Jet Black Coffin
Long black coffin for when you want drama.
- Shape
- Coffin
- Length
- Long
- Finish
- High gloss
- Shade
- Jet black
- Salon level
- Moderate
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12. Black Tortoiseshell
Dark tortoiseshell with black for a moody pattern.
- Shape
- Almond
- Length
- Medium
- Finish
- Gloss
- Shade
- Black and amber
- Salon level
- Advanced
Black shows chips more than any other shade. Keep a bottle of black and a top coat at home for quick touch-ups.
For softer darks, see burgundy nails and our minimalist nail designs.
Your questions, answered
Are black nails in style?
Yes. Short glossy black, black French tips and matte black are some of the most saved nail looks this year.
How do I stop black polish from looking streaky?
Use two thin coats, not one thick one, and finish with a high-gloss top coat.
Do black nails go with everything?
Almost. Black is as versatile as a black outfit: it works with gold, silver, neutrals and bright colours.
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