Goth Nail Design: 5 Edgy and Cute Ideas for Every Darkling (Tutorial Included!)

Goth Nail Design: 5 Edgy and Cute Ideas for Every Darkling (Tutorial Included!)
Calling all darklings, night owls, and lovers of the unconventional! Does your heart call for a manicure as bold and dramatic as your soul? Halloween nails are definitely gothic It captures the vibe, but you can’t enjoy your nails all year round, especially when there are so many undiscovered dark-themed designs. Ditch the orange pumpkin and embrace the charm of true goth nail design.

Here are five killer ideas that combine the edgy spirit of goth with unexpected beauty. Get ready to turn heads and unleash your inner darkness (in the most stylish way possible, of course).

Goth aesthetic + nail art

Goth nail art embodies the subculture’s dark and dramatic spirit. Deep, sensual colors such as black, crimson, and midnight blue form the base, often accented with bold patterns such as spider webs, crosses, and even delicate lace. Although the overall appearance tends to be dark, the elegant atmosphere does not create a purely creepy impression. Think unexpected touches of sophistication like shimmering metallics, intricate nail art designs, or even a perfectly placed single gemstone.

Close up of two female hands with stained nails

From @chaunlegend

#1.Stained glass nails:

The transparent base features an intricate stained glass pattern inspired by the sacred village of the church.

Start with a glamorous Vitage-inspired nail look for all church beauty lovers. Get the look by playing with bright jewel tones and metallic contours to create the illusion of a miniature stained glass masterpiece on each nail. This dazzling look is sure to turn heads, but be careful! Achieving these perfect details requires a steady hand and some nail art practice, making them perfect for more experienced nail enthusiasts.

How to create a stained glass effect on nails

Translucent foundation: Apply a thin coat of clear or slightly translucent nail polish as a base for your stained glass design. Allow to dry completely.

Web of color: Use a thin nail art brush to carefully paint a network of geometric shapes and lines onto your nails. Experiment by playing with different colors and creating sections of different sizes.

Metallic accents (optional): To add even more authenticity to stained glass, dip a dotting tool (or the tip of a thin brush) into metallic polish and add small dots or outlines to the colored areas.

Fill in the gaps: Once you have completed your web of lines, use the color of your choice to fill in the sections you created. Be patient and use thin layers for better control.

Seal the deal: Once everything is dry, apply a generous layer of top coat to protect your artwork and add a beautiful shine.

Close up of two female hands with Insectarium exhibition nail design for goth

#2. Insectarium Exhibition Nail Design:

The base is deep red and black, with golden ovals and small insects drawn on a white background.

If stained glass nails don’t appeal to you, channel your inner entomologist with these enchanting Insectarium Exhibition nail designs. Imagine museum exhibits coming to life at your fingertips. Start with a deep, luxurious red base. This color reminds me of the plush velvet linings on antique insect displays. Next, draw a bold black oval in the center of each nail to create a window into the miniature world.

Draw a delicate white background, then paint the stars of the show: the small, intricately detailed insects. Choose a realistic beetle, a graceful butterfly or a curious spider. The possibilities are endless.

How to make insect house nails

Prep and polish: Apply base coat to clean, dry nails. Once completely dry, apply two thin coats of dark red polish to create an opaque, luxurious base.

Insectarium Window: Using black polish and a thin nail art brush, carefully paint a clean oval in the center of each nail. This acts as a “window” into the miniature insect exhibit. Let the black dry completely.

Blank Canvas: Inside the black oval, use white polish to create a small, clean rectangle or circle as the background for the insect.

Star of the show: Now comes the fun part! Use a thin nail art brush to carefully paint the small insect of your choice on the white background. For realistic details, you can find inspiration online or in guides in the insect field.

Metallic accents (optional): For added realism and dimension, grab a dotting tool (or the tip of a bobby pin) and dip it in gold polish. Carefully add small dots for details such as the insect’s eyes or spots on its wings.

Seal the deal: Once everything is completely dry, apply a generous layer of top coat to protect your miniature insectarium and add a beautiful glossy finish.

*Additional tip: Take your insectarium-inspired goth nails to the next level by incorporating subtle 3D elements. After painting the base insect, use the dotting tool and metallic gold polish to create small raised dots for details such as the eyes and spots on the wings.
Close-up of two women's hands with Joan of Arc nails Find Goth designs in Orleans

#3.Look for the Joan of Arc Nail Orléans Goat:

See-through stiletto nails with a “stainless steel” sword drawn on them.

The next goth look is medical and a little aggressive, but still exudes a romantic and beautiful vibe. I used to call them Joan of Arc nails and I absolutely love this look. I wish my hands were steady enough to recreate this design with a sharpie.

How to create a Joan of Arc nail design?

Preparation is key: Start with clean, dry nails. Apply a base coat to gently push back the cuticle and increase the adhesion of the polish. Allow to dry completely. To add more subtle color, you can apply one thin coat of clear or sheer nude polish after the base coat dries.

Stiletto Statement: If you don’t already have stiletto nails, consider having them professionally shaped for this look. If it is more convenient, you can also use acrylic or press-on nails in the shape of a stiletto.

Sword Art: Now comes the fun part! Using a thin nail art brush and chrome or holographic silver polish, carefully paint the silhouette of a sword on each nail. Aim for an elongated shape that tapers toward the tip, imitating medieval knives.

*Beginner tip: If you’re not confident in drawing freehand, you can find nail art stencils online that feature sword designs. Simply apply the stencil to your nails, apply silver polish over it, and carefully peel off the stencil to create a beautiful design.

Polish and Shine: Once your sword art is dry, apply a top coat (optional) for added protection and a beautiful glossy finish.

Close up of two female hands with intricate lace design on black

#4.Black intricate lace on purple nails:

Thin, dark black lace is woven into a calm matte purple base.

Check out this captivating blend of elegance and gothic edge. Based on a calm matte purple, the color whispers the twilight sky and hidden secrets. This velvety background becomes the canvas for your exquisite masterpiece. Slightly less dramatic and more suitable for daytime.

How to create a black lace nail design?

Prep and prime: Apply base coat to clean, dry nails and allow to dry completely. This will help the polish adhere better and prevent chipping.

Mutated Majesty: Apply two thin coats of matte purple nail polish for even coverage and a smooth, opaque finish. Allow each nail polish coat to dry completely before the next one.

Knitting the lace: Now comes the complicated part. Using a fine nail art brush, carefully paint a black lace-like design onto each nail. Create delicate florals, swirling tendrils, geometric patterns, or even find inspiration from authentic lace patterns online.

Beginner tip: If you’re new to nail art or find it difficult to draw freehand, consider using a stamping kit. You can find nail stamping plates with intricate lace designs that can be easily transferred to your nails using a stamper or scraper.

Level up your lace (optional): For a really detailed look, especially for very intricate designs, you can use a detailing brush. This allows for even thinner lines and crisper details compared to regular nail art brushes.

Seal the deal (optional): Since the look uses a matte purple base, we recommend leaving the overall finish matte. However, if you want a little shine, apply a thin layer of top coat after everything is dry. This also helps protect intricate lace designs.

Close up of two female hands with nephrite and silver goth look

#5.Nephrite and silver goth nails:

A marble-like milky white base with white “veins” and silver crosses, sparkles and rough stones all over the nail.

And finally, for those who love nature’s gifts and drama, we present nephrite and silver goth nails. This enchanting look is inspired by the beauty and mystery of nephrite jade, a stone prized for its dreamy green hue and connection to the spiritual world in many cultures. Delicate silver crosses, small sparkling “bling” (tiny rhinestones or studs), and even small raw nephrite chips can be incorporated to create both a luxurious feel and a raw, dark aesthetic. .

How to make nephrite and silver goth nails?

Preparation and base: Apply base coat, clean and allow to dry completely.

Milky Jade Canvas: Apply two thin coats of milky green nail polish to evenly cover an opaque, smooth base resembling polished nephrite jade. Allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next coat.

Swirling Veins: Use a thin nail art brush and white nail polish to carefully paint thin, wispy lines across each nail. These lines should resemble veins or natural traces in the stone, and can be spiral or left relatively straight. Perfect symmetry is not required here.

Silver accents (optional): If you want to incorporate silver crosses, dip a thin nail art brush into silver polish and carefully draw small crosses on specific nails, or highlight the intersection of white veins with small silver dots. Masu.

Bling It On: Now comes the fun part – adding a gothic touch. Using tweezers, carefully pick up a small silver rhinestone or stud and place it strategically on your nail. Play with size and placement to create a unique look.

*Tip: For better adhesion, apply a small dot of top coat to the back of each rhinestone or stud before placing.

Raw Beauty (Optional): To add an extra gothic vibe and mimic raw jewelry, use tweezers to gently place a few small crushed nephrite chips on your nails. Press lightly into the polish to ensure adhesion.

Seal the deal: Once everything is dry and in place, apply a generous coat of top coat to seal the design and protect all decorations. This will also give you a beautiful glossy finish.

Let’s finish…

This is it, Darkling! 5 killer goth nail designs that combine the boldness you crave with unexpected cuteness. With a little practice and the provided tutorials, you can transform your fingertips into mini works of Gothic art.
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