DIY: Spooky Graveyard Nails

We’re really getting into the Halloween spirit at Clary Sage College in preparation for our 7th Annual free Halloween event, Scary Sage 10/30! Did you catch the super cool Patchwork Doll Makeup Tutorial the Makeup Artistry department did? Well, the Nail Technology department is in the zone as well, showing you how to create Spooky Graveyard Nails!

With October in full swing it’s time to start thinking about Halloween and Scary Nails. Now I am not talking about hands with cuticles that look as if Freddie Cruger were your Nail Tech or free edges so jagged that you shred your own tights, I’m talking about fun and spooky nail art! A Spooky Graveyard scene seemed just right!

For this you will need:

  • A base coat + top coat
  • A black, white, yellow + brown nail polish or acrylic paint
  • A small paint brush
  • Toothpicks

Step 1: Choose a base coat. We used OPI Purple with a Purpose.
Step 2: Take black nail polish or acrylic paint (yes acrylic paint, that’s what we used!) and create a tombstone, on one side at the end of your nail.
Step 3: Above your tombstone, create a moon by drawing a small circle. We created the size of the moon with white acrylic paint as a base, let it dry and then added yellow acrylic paint on top of it, so the yellow would really pop.
Step 4: Grab a toothpick and brown nail polish/paint and draw a tree next to your tombstone. You want the tree to look spooky, so we opted for just branches.
Step 5: Grab your black nail polish/paint and your paintbrush, it’s time to add the bats! We chose to add one over the moon and one above the tree, but you can place them where ever you would like. Just don’t put too many or your design could become too crowded.
Step 6: Add RIP on your tombstone, let it dry and add a top coat. You’re done!

If you give this a try let us know! We’d love to see your spooky nails!