Black nails are considered gothic, while glitter nails can have a reputation as childish. We say these rumors are false because there are so many creative ways to wear both—but what happens when you mix colors and finishes? Newsflash: It’s stunning, versatile, and surprisingly sophisticated. Think: black tie mani. To prove it, we’ve rounded up 17 black glitter manicure ideas to inspire your next manicure — keep reading to find your perfect match.
How pretty is this sparkly black mani with wavy nails and French accents? Despite its glamorous appeal, this manicure is actually quite easy to do: All you need is a fine-liner nail brush and some French mani stickers (like Orly Half Moon Guide, $6) to achieve the design.
Looking for a black sparkly mani outfit suitable for a Renaissance tour? While choosing silver or gold will create a glamorous metallic manicure, you can’t go wrong with classic black and gold glitter for a Beyhive-inspired nail look.
Glitter may sparkle and shine, but your full manicure doesn’t have to reflect the sky. We love the balance that comes from alternating the matte black design with shimmering ombré black, complete with silver stars and stripes.
This year’s velvet nails are incredibly luxurious, making this glamorous black glitter manicure a perfect choice. Nail artist Melanie Graves used Gelcare Official’s UV Gel Nail Polish ($22) in Midnight Velvet to create the look.
If you like mismatched nails, check out this disco-inspired wavy plaid manicure. The secret to really making this design stand out is to use smooth white lines, glossy black paint, and three-dimensional black chrome paint all at the same time.
Emoji nails are all the rage lately, and this black glitter manicure reminds us of the power of a fun design. We love the evil eye heart accent on the middle finger and only wish it was an actual emoji. Nail artist Brittney Ellen created the look using Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) in the shades Meet Me At Space, Cubana, Paper Snow and Clueless.
Hoping for more than a wavy accent nail? Choose black glitter swirl nails. Nail artist Dayanna I. Sapiens created this gorgeous manicure with Le Mini Macaron Gel Polish ($13) in the shades Crème Brûlée and Licorice mixed with Platinum Sparkle.
For a sparkling black glitter manicure, choose gold flecks. To get this shimmering mani, you’ll need Mooncat Lacquer ($14) in the shade Pumpkin King. To make sure your nails look freshly painted (and professional), try using a thick, angled nail brush dipped in remover and scribble around the edges.
Love seasonal nail looks? Try pairing your black glitter nails with pretty accents like snowflakes. To DIY this exact manicure, you’ll need Lacquer Nail Polish in the colors City of Stars, Paper Snow, Tuxedo Mask, and Clueless.
For an Art Deco nail look, copy this drip-inspired black glitter mani. Nail artist Aistė Haas brought it to life using Kiara Sky’s Soak Off Gel Polish ($13) in the colors Laven-Dare, Midnight Fling and Negative Space.
3D nails are very popular this year, as are textured nails. With that in mind, how fun are these half-and-half polka dot nails? They remind us of 90s fashion in the best way. However, they’re actually inspired by Chanel’s spring 2021 couture collection, making this mani feel even more luxurious.
Why choose black glitter nails when you can alternate them with white glitter? Ellen created this glamorous combination using Lights Lacquer Nail Polish in the shades City of Stars and Tuxedo Mask.
This manicure may not have black glitter, but it does combine glitter and black polish. We especially love this nail look for those who prefer neutral nails, as it’s sophisticated, smart and undeniably trendy. And it’s easy to do yourself: Just start with a shimmery champagne base and accent with a smooth vertical line of black paint. Finish with a top coat and you’re done.
Are you hoping for a mani style that feels fresher? You’ll love this rainbow chrome manicure accented with jet black polish. It’s another of Ellen’s masterpieces, which she created using Lights Lacquer Nail Polish in the shade Tuxedo Mask paired with Holo Chrome Beetles Gel Polish ($17).
Halloween may have come and gone, but here’s one seriously flattering manicure you’ll want to keep for next year. The velvet finish creates the most luxurious ghosts we’ve ever seen.
Black glitter nails don’t have to be too bold. This black glitter foil mani puts a moodier, more toned spin on the trend.
You can always keep it simple and opt for a shimmery black base, which is what celebrity nail artist Betina Goldstein did here. For this dark and decadent look, she used Chanel’s Le Vernis Long Nail Color ($32) in Sequins.
