45 Edgy Black Nails and Designs You’ll Love

Having the perfect nails is a must.  It’s summer time but that doesn’t mean you have to always wear bright colours, especially on your nails.  Many people choose to add colour with their accessories and outfit, instead of their nail polish.

We have come up with 45 edgy black nails that will look amazing for fall and winter, and in fact, all year round!

1. Black Lace Nails

Lace is always a lovely delicate design. This is fun, girly and perfect for weddings.  This design will make you stand out from the crowd and we can guarantee you will receive so many compliments.

2. Black Matte Coffin Nails

If you didn’t know, matte nails are trending right now. The usual shiny glossy nails are still stylish but matte nails are far more dramatic.  They tell a mysterious story and work so well with black nail polish.

3. Stripe Nail Design

Go for stripes. These eye-catching stripy nails will be trending wherever you go.  Try and alternate like the photo above by having a white base and then black.  The white base stripy nails will instantly catch people’s eyes.

4. Black Matte & Negative Space Nails

These nails will certainly take the spotlight. Negative space nails are similar to cut-out clothing which are also trending right now.  Half-moon, centre gap and semi-circles are a few of the designs you could have.  The bold black nail polish will enhance the designs so make you choose quirky and unique styles.

5. Black Glitter Nails

Add a touch of sparkle. Having a black base is striking alone but by adding the glitter, will immediately add a touch of glam and shine.

6. Black Marble Nails

Marble nails look so details, yet they are so easy to do. Apply a few coats of black shiny nail polish.  Then you will need a second colour, either grey or white for the marble effect.  Pour a few drops of the second colour onto foil.  Grab some cling film, scrunch it into a small ball and dab it into the nail polish on the foil.  Dab your cling film over your nail.  To finish the look, apply a few marble lines with your nailbrush.

7. Black Matte and Glossy Zebra Nails

Take a little nail inspiration from zebras. Don’t go for the standard zebra colours, black and white.  Keep to matte and shiny black.  This will create a dark subtle zebra effect that will look amazing.

8. Black & Gold Nails

Black and gold nails! What more could you ask for.  Black and gold are a great combination.  A shiny black nail polish base with a gold design will set you aside from everyone.  If you are unsure about the designs you would like, maybe having a doodle session with a pen and paper before you want to commit on your nails.

9. Matte & Glossy French Tip

Black matte base with shiny tips look fabulous. You can see how the shiny tips make the nails come alive.

10. Matte Black Stiletto Nails

Stiletto nails are trending and have been for a while now. Everyone is going crazy for stiletto nails.  If you are unsure what stiletto nails are, the names kind of gives the game away.  They are pointy like stiletto shoes.  They look sexy and vampy.

11. Black Matte Nails with a Pop of Color

Summer colours look bright and fun on a matte black base. The vibrant colours instantly stand out and create a fun, bubbly design which everyone will love and envy.

12. Black French Tip + Rhinestone Accent Nail

Rhinestones will add the sparkle you need. Black nails can be a little harsh and dark for many people but we have come up with a solution.  Add rhinestones to one nail.  This way you will still have the dark side from the black nails but you will sparkle.  Make sure you add shiny black tips to the matte black nails for that extra touch.

13. Pop of White

If you’re not feeling black nails, maybe you could add a little touch of white? This is perfect if you are wearing a white outfit.  You can team your outfit colour with your nails.

14. Matte Black Nails with Glossy Details

Wow… this is all we can say about these nails. These nails look detailed and so intricate.  Unbelievably, these nails aren’t hard to achieve.  If you look closer, you can see that these nails are all based on a matte black base with added extras.  The extras are nail gems, shiny black nail polish designs and that’s it!  This is simple to do yet so effective!

15. Zebra Accent Nail

Animal prints are great designs for nails. Zebra nails add that special something to your nails but in a subtle way.

16. Black Matte Nails + Lace Accent Nail

Do you want to create a softer matte black design? If you answered yes, this is the design for you.  Paint your nails matte black but keep an accent nail.  The accent nail will need to be painted a lighter contrast colour, for example an off white or ivory.  These colours work better with the black lace design.  If you aren’t confident on your lace freehand skills, you can always buy a lace stencil which will have the same outcome.  Just remember to wait until your base coat is fully dry before you start on the lace.  To finish the look, add a few diamantes to your lace design.

17. Black Matte French Tip

Nude and black nails look divine. Nude base nails will show off your elegant and delicate side, whilst the matte black tips will create the intense side.  The accent nail is optional but we think it looks great.

18. Black French Tip Stiletto Nails

If you tend to have stiletto nails, maybe you could try this. This will show off your nails as well as the design.  By not painting all of your nails in a shiny black colour, you are drawing attention to the stiletto nails.

19. Half Moon Design

This works on short and long nails. Mixing matte and shiny black will show off your character and style.  Adding half-moon designs to your cuticles boost your nails and make them stand out.

20. Black Nails + White Marble Accent Nail

Accent nails will show off your design even more so. Having a contrasting accent nail looks fab!  Matte black stiletto nails with white marble accent nails look fierce.  This is screaming fashion and style.

21. Black Quilted Nails

We are loving these black quilted nails! If you are thinking that these somewhat look familiar, maybe you’re thinking of the quilted handbags!  We can see these nails are channeling the iconic Chanel quilted bag and we think it’s amazing.  This is quick and easy to do.  Apply two coats of black nail polish to your nails.  Wait for a few mins until it’s still soft to create the quilted lines.  Then use a ruler to mark the lines, one way then the other.  Wait for your nails to fully dry then apply a top coat.

22. Cool Design for Short Nails

Do you have short nails and worry that they look as good as long nails?  Think again! This is the perfect nail design for shorter nails.  The black outline will give the illusion that your nails are longer.

23. Matte Black Design

Matte black looks elegant and delicate. Team your matte nails with a gorgeous design that looks striking and unique.

24. Henna Mandala Accent Nail

Why not add henna to your nails? This will set you aside from anyone else with black nails.  It will show off your creative side and your character.

25. Pop of Gold

Everyone loves a bit of gold. Add that extra shine with a few gold nail gems to gorgeous black shiny nails.  No need to add the gems to every fingernail – less is best.  The ones you choose to decorate make sure you paint these a matte black nail polish so the gold stands out.

26. Marble Art and Rhinestones

Next, we have another marble mani to show you. This time the nails are all black with a white marble design. Some of the nails are decorated with rhinestones too. The color combination is stunning and the white marble look so chic. You can find tutorials for marble art online and you can buy rhinestones, so you could give this design a try at home.

27. Black and Blue Stars

Look like the star with this nail design. Here we have dark blue nails with black stars. It is such a cute idea and the darker colors make the stars look a little edgy. This is a fun nail design that will suit everyone. Appeal4 No. 160 Earthed teal, Painted Polish Midnight Mischief, Born Pretty Stamping plate BP-L 006, Whats Up Nails Creative Shop stamper and Appeal4 Quick dry top coat were used to create this look. Recreate this or try black nails with blue stars.

28. Black Glitter Coffin Nails

The next mani is sparkly and glam! This design features long coffin nails, most of them are glittery and one nail is decorated with rhinestones. We love the combo of the glitter and rhinestones, it is so statement making and gorgeous. This mani is perfect for a night out or a party. You can recreate this or you can just have all glitter nails.

29. Black Coffin Nail Design

If you love the glitzy, glamorous and dazzling nails, then this is for you. Here we have mid length coffin nails. Most of the nails have a different design including glitter, rhinestones and trendy nail art. It is a beautiful, stylish and statement making manicure. This is another mani that is great for the more special occasions. Recreate the whole look or you can try just one or two of the designs.

30. Sparkly Black Nails

Next, we have another fun and sparkly look. This time we have long coffin nails and each one is covered with black nail polish and plenty of glitter. We love the black color as it gives the glitter an edge. You can use black glitter on any nail length and shape. The stiletto shape will really wow.

31. Floral Nail Idea

This next nail idea is another one of our favorites! Here we have floral lace nails. The design features a frosted black look with black lace and floral patterns. It is such a chic and stunning look. You can try something similar or use any flower shape for your design. This mani was created with Painted Polish Midnight Mischief, a mix of clear and black polish for the frosted sheer, Seche Nails Seche Vite Top Coat, OPI Matte Top Coat, Born Pretty plate BPL-030 and Whats Up Nails Creative Shop Stamper.

32. Nude Nails with Black Tips and Stars

We love this next nail idea because it is so chic and fun! The nails are nude with black tips. A row of colorful stars have been added in-between the two colors. The stars look amazing because they add a pop of color to the chic design. You can buy stars online. Recreate this or you can have the classy tips without the stars.

33. Diamond Nail Design

Shine bright like a diamond with a nail design like this one! Here we have a gorgeous black nail design that features silver glitter and a sparkly silver diamond. It is such a fun and pretty look. These nails can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion. This mani was created with OPI Black Onyx, Serendipity Holo Day Lights, Shop Keeki Diamond Water Decals and black arylic paint. There is a short tutorial on the nail artist’s page.

34. Black Nails with Glitter Drips

Next, we have another gorgeous and glam mani to show you. For this look we have matte black nails. The tip of each nail is also decorated with glitter drips. It is a fun and stylish design. You can recreate something similar or make the drips more statement making and like paint drips. There are tutorials for this nail art online.

35. Black and Silver Coffin Nails

Love ombre nails? If so, you need to see this mani. Here we have coffin nails. Some are just black and sparkly and two nails have an ombre effect. The ombre is black and silver glitter. We love the ombre art and it looks so chic. Recreate this or you can try gold instead of silver.

36. Black Glittery Coffin Nails

The next nail idea is glittery and very glam. Most of the nails have a different design including block color, sparkly black French tips and all over glitter. We love the glittery French tips, it is such a classy way to wear glitter. Try a similar mani or you can use one of the designs on all nails, we would choose the tips.

37. Matte Black Nails with Flowers and Rhinestones

If you like floral nail art, then you should take a look at this mani. Here we have long and matte black nails. Some are plain and some are decorated with rhinestones and even a white flower too. The white flower looks stunning and it looks so chic with the black. Try the whole mani or just use the flower design on all nails. You can hand-paint the flower or buy nail stickers online.

38. Edgy Glitter Nail Design

Next, we have a trendy, edgy and sparkly nail idea to show you. So, most of the nails have a different design including designer nail stickers, ombre, glitter and black rhinestone art. It is just a stunning and statement making look. You can buy designer nail stickers with any brand logo so you can recreate the look with your favorite.

39. Unique and Stylish Nails

Black can be a very bold color but this next design shows how to wear it in a subtle way. Here we have chevron nails. The chevron art includes dark green, glittery black and sheer black colors. We love the sheer black because it is a lighter and more low-key way to wear black. You can find many tutorials online for chevron art but you can buy stencils and chevron tape online. This look was created with Appeal 4 No. 151 Encrusted Star, No. 161 Winter Woodland & Quick dry top coat, Whats Up Nails Regular chevron tape and the sheer black is a mix of black and clear polish.

40. Matte Black Nails with Trendy Tips

The next nail idea features more trendy tips. So, the nails are a coffin shape and are matte black. Each nail is also decorated with glossy black tips and a thin line which creates a stylish chevron tip look. This is a fun, edgy and statement making manicure that will suit everyone. Recreate this or swap the textures so you have matte tips instead.

41. Black and Gold Mani

Black and gold is such a stunning color combo and here is how to wear it in style! Some nails are a block color, one is completely gold and the others have a trendy glitter line design. It is a fun and unique mani that will make a statement. You can create art like this with nail tape. Try a similar look or you can use silver glitter instead of gold.

42. Black and Gold Short Nail Design

If you love the black and gold, then this is for you. This time we have shorter nails. Some are matte black and the others feature stylish black and gold glitter art. It is such a glam and glitzy nail idea. This mani is easy to wear and it is perfect for nights out, parties and even New Year’s eve. The design will look amazing on all nail lengths and shapes.

43. Glitzy Black Nail Design

Next, we have another glitzy design. For this look, each nail is different and the designs include rhinestones, chrome, glossy black color and more. It is a gorgeous nail idea and it is perfect for those who like their nails to have plenty of bling. Recreate the whole look or use one or two designs on all nails.

44. Black Nails with a Blue Glitter Accent Nail

We love this next nail idea! Here we have glossy black nails with one sparkly accent nail. The accent nail is a gorgeous sparkly blue. This blue color is stunning and it compliments the black beautifully. A vibrant color like this will really jazz up the classic black mani. This look was created with Essie Licorice and Fun Lacquer Secret.

45. Trendy Black Nail Design

The next nail idea is trendy and unique. Two nails are matte black, one is sparkly black and the last nail is nude with intricate black art. We love the use of different textures and styles because they create such a statement making mani. You can create a similar intricate pattern with nail stencils which can be bought online. This mani was created with OPI Top Coat, Sally Hansen Black Heart and Ella+Mila Black Magic.