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As we approach the holidays, it is the season for darker nail looks. Among these, black sparkly nails are one of the most popular.
Black sparkly nails are perfect for Christmas, New Year’s, and the rest of the holiday season for several reasons. First, with the colder weather comes darker tones in our outfits, which the black complements. Second, throughout the holidays, you might be headed to formal parties and events for which you’ll want a killer nail style. Finally, if you’re going to be spending the money to get your nails done, you might as well have a nail look that can work from before Christmas through New Year’s. Black sparkly nails will do just that!
However you like to do your nails, there is definitely a black sparkly look for you. Long or short, round or square, pointed or coffin, you can integrate black sparkles into your style. There’s even some amazing ombré and accent nail designs for those that want to mix and match.
We’ve got plenty of black sparkly designs for you to choose from, ranging from the intricate to simple and everything in between!
Best Black Sparly Nails Inspiration and Ideas
Matte Night Sky
Perfect opposites, black sparkly nails work wonderfully against a matte polish. We particularly love the use of the ring finger as a transition between the finishes, with the swirl of the line providing movement and adds to the overall affect. The addition of the rhinestones works with the glitter while giving a definitive line to the change in look.
Every Other
Glitter is such a great accent to a simple glossy nail, especially when using the same color as the glitter background. These rounded nails are simple, yet effective, with the glitter giving just enough contrast. When you go with a simple style, you open the possibilities for it to go with any outfit!
Ringing in the New Year
While silver is the typical glitter choice for a black nail, never underestimate the class nature of black and gold. Using gold glitter makes for a more festive style, fitting for a New Year’s Eve party or event. Layering the glitter polish also gives extra dimension to the style, a perfect way to up the ante on your style without getting too complex.
Into the Galaxy
Simple rainbow glitter goes beyond just the stars in the sky, it takes your black sparkly nails out of this world! This basic style is one you can easily do at home, as you can find black and glitter nail polish pretty much anywhere. If you don’t have time to get your nails done, this design is a quick and easy way to get a fabulous and chic manicure!
Perfect Accent
For those that don’t want to go too glitzy, using the glitter as an accent nail is a great option. Putting the glitter on the two middle fingers brings a sense of balance to the design, without making your nails into an every-other pattern. Keeping this nails shorter also maintains the simple beauty of the look.
Mix and Match
With a two-toned look, it opens the door for a blending of styles within the design. Here, black polish and silver glitter work together nicely, each nail effect complementing the others. You can also see two different types of glitter here, a finer glitter and a larger flecked one on the ombré nails. This is a fun way to add another layer to your look while keeping the change subtle.
Squared Off
A different take on the black sparkly nail style, the squared nails provide an edge to the design. Using a simple look lets the shape take center stage, which is perfect if that is the emphasis. To get the glitter spread out like this, be sure to use only one coat of the glitter polish.
Art Deco
Taking inspiration from the glamour of the 1920s, this art deco design brings patterns together in a spectacular fashion. A neutral glitter tone works perfectly against the black, adding just the right amount of glitz. To get the square pattern, we suggest using a nail stamp, as these lines can be difficult to do by hand or even with nail tape.
Underground Magic
Pressed for time? Don’t want to pay for an expensive manicure? Try nail strips instead! This black and silver ombré design is called Underground Magic, bringing together the best that these two shades have to offer. These real nail polish strips (yup, no stickers here!) are completely opaque, insuring full coverage of the color. We’re completely sold on these, and if you love this look, you might be too!
Silver Haze
Another simple style, the tiny flecks of silver glitter are like a fine mist over the black nail polish. For this look, you will want to two layers of the glitter, which adds depth while providing an extra bit of glitz. While the design is featured on a short nail, you could always put this on a longer nail if that fits your style.
Adding Texture
Two types of glitter work together in this black sparkly nail look. Using a neutral silver on the bottom and the colored glitter on the top lets the light play off them in different ways. Black serves as the optimal backdrop, allowing the glitter shine.
Black Sugar Nails
Sugar nails are a popular trend among glitter nail styles, adding real glitter or dip powder on wet nail polish. Going with this effect rather than a glitter polish adds texture, particularly when left raw, and provides solid coverage. The sugaring also looks amazing on longer nails, such as these coffin shaped nails.
Rounded Tips
Using a round tip on your nails gives a sweet finish, different from hard lines and angles of other styles. One layer of the silver glitter allows the black to shine through, with the glitter an accent rather than the focus. These nails will work in any situation, whether it’s work or an afterhours party. No need to worry about changing your manicure to fit different events with these nails!
Shooting Stars
Taking on a more astrological look, these swooshes look like the tail end of a shooting star. The glitter here is within the silver polish, but you could add glitter powder on the wet polish as well. Just remember, if you do use that method, let the black base polish dry completely first.
Glitter Ombré
An ombré or fade effect, the glitter here works up from the cuticle and diminishing toward the tip. While you can do this with a glitter polish, it is much easier to use real glitter. Using a small paintbrush or makeup brush, add the glitter at the cuticle first. Then, with a fan brush, spread the glitter over the nail. You could also sprinkle glitter on the nail, then brush to blend. With shorter nails like these, you get a cool tipped effect while maintaining the ombré.
Music to My Ears
Here, the black sparkly nail serves as an accent, again using the sugar style. This is also a pure black glitter, which is ideal within the rest of the look. It provides just enough contrast to be different, without detracting from the music notes. If you wanted, you could also seal the music note nail with a clear glitter polish for just a bit more glitz.
Dusted with Gold
For glitter-dipped nails, you can use a similar technique to the glitter fade. Dip the wet polish into the glitter, and then brush off the access. Alternatively, you could use a brush to sprinkle on the glitter, taking the brush higher to spread the glitter out further.
Stamped
Another incredible use of a nail stamp, the silver designs work beautifully against the black base coat. While these designs don’t use glitter, you could always add glitter on the wet silver paint, provided the black base coat is dry. You could also use any one of these designs as an accent nail rather than a part of an overall look. Life is full of possibilities!
Black Tipped
Pointed nails bring the drama with this black sparkly nail look! For the main design, start with a neutral base color, and then add the black for the tip. While the polish is still wet, use a brush to dab on the glitter, blending it at both the top and bottom. Meanwhile, you can simply use the dip method for the accent nail.
Just a Little Dangerous
O.P.I. constantly wows us with their incredible nail colors, and Just a Little Dangerous is no exception! Purple and black are gorgeous together, with the glitters on both shades tying the design together. A finishing touch of gemstones gives just the right sense of glamour.
Shimmer in the Night
A black sparkly nail doesn’t have to hit you in the face with glitter, as you can see in this look. The glitter is part of the black nail polish, blending in while lifting the overall tone. Perfect for a simple style, with just that little bit of fun.
Smoke and Mirrors
Holographic glitter makes these nails sing! This is a great way to bring color into a black sparkly nail style, especially when the rest of the colors in the look are more subdued. There are a couple of ways to get a marbled effect, but one of the easiest is to blend the colors first and then apply them to the nail. You could also use small sponge or fabric pieces to dab the color onto the nails in your desired pattern, then seal with clear polish.
Double Accent
With the rising popularity of the accent nail, it is becoming more common to see more than one accent within a nail look. Here, the silver glitter works nicely within both accent nails. Both the glitter fade and the glitter dip use the same chunky glitter, providing cohesion. Classy, elegant, and perfect for your next party!
It’s Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus
Black sparkly nails are perfect for Halloween, and these are no exception! The perfect opportunity to use a nail stamp, these designs will make your spooky season come alive. Use glitter or shimmer in the black base coat, or in the silver on top, either will work nicely in this look.
Black Mirror
Who needs glitter to have sparkle? These classic black nails rely on the shine of the topcoat finish, taking on a chic look. The slight curve of the nail shape adds interest and a bit of flair.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Solid shimmer nail polish makes this look. Start with a large drop of the shimmer polish in the center of the nail, and then spread it out in a swirling motion. The fade will be along the edges of the nail, a nice change from a simple ombré or tipped look.
This is Halloween
Black sparkle nails are perfect as an accent in a Halloween style. With all the other designs, it is nice to have just one nail that is a bit simpler. Sticking with a plain black glitter also helps the accent nail to blend in to the design without clashing with the others.
Chunky Squares
When you want large, square nails, sometimes it can be hard to decide what polish to use. A simple black sparkle could be just what you are looking for to work with the shape and not overwhelm you style! These nails have a big impact without going too over the top.
Layer it On
These incredible accent nails take advantage of different layering techniques in their intricate design. Begin with a base like the rest of the nails, and then use matte white nail polish to begin the layering. A second coat at the tip with make that section more opaque, with the polka dots added at the end for a cute finish.
Mix it Up
With a longer nail like this, it can be hard to do tips. However, this design shows off two long-tip options – an angle v and an ombré fade. For the v, use nail tape to block off the sections of the nail that you want to paint with the glitter. With the ombré glitter, simply dip or sprinkle the glitter on to get the desired effect. The remaining accent nail can be done with the dipping method.
Flip Flop
When combining colors, it can be hard to decide how to do it. Here, the flipped effect makes the black sparkly nails stick out against the rose color. Delicate points finish the look nicely, but you could use whatever nail shape you like.
Matte Contrast
Another accent style, the black sugar nails look amazing against the matte plum color. Purple and black are such natural complements, that it is easy to see how they would work together! The matte finish gives the nail a jewel-like quality that also goes well with the black sparkly nails.
Differing Accents
Just because you use accents nails doesn’t mean they need to be the same on both hands. As we often say of eyebrows, they’re sisters, not twins! Putting the glitter on different nails on each hand gives a fun shake up to the style without adding another element to the overall design.
Everyday Fun
Who doesn’t love a glitter look? These black sparkly nails take us back to our childhood, when glitter polish was the hottest fashion. Between the short nail and the rainbow glitter, this is something that would work for every day…and provide just that little bit of nostalgia.
Let it Shine
A shiny finish looks amazing over these glitter nails. While using a matte can complement a black sparkly nail, there’s just something so satisfying about a perfect shiny topcoat. The curve of the nail gives a sense of elegance, but this could work just as well on a shorter nail.
Phases of the Moon
Glitter is just the right complement to a moon-themed nail design. The glitter emulates stars to go with the moon phases on the other nails. To get the moons, use a small rounded sponge, dipped into the amount of polish you want to have on your nail.
Delicately Done
With a delicate hand, you can easily replicate this style. Only one coat of the sparkle polish is needed, keeping the effect light and simple. Rounded nails work perfectly within this design, sticking with the basic nature of the overall look.
Give it Some Shine
For this style, you’ll want to use a couple of layers of glitter. However, when putting on the second coat, only apply it to the middle section of the nail. This gives a blended look to the edges of the nail, while adding depth to the design.
Black sparkly nails are perfect for any time of year, but especially so during the colder months. From spooky season in October all the way through to the New Year, you’ll find yourself leaning towards a darker nail style. Instead of reaching for a red, try a black sparkly nail instead!