If you’re just not feeling the girly glitter manicures and Hailey Bieber-style glazed donut nails that have been all over the internet the last few months, I’ve got good news for you. 2023’s trendiest manicure channels the exact opposite vibe: gothcore. Edgy, moody, and statement-making matte black manicures and nail designs are about to be seen on it-girls everywhere.

So to help you get a jump start on the trend, I did hours of Instagram scrolling to round up the coolest takes on matte black nails—including black-on-black french manicures, shine-free minimalist nail art, punk rock-inspired accent nails, and more—that you should immediately add to your saves and reference as inspo at your next nail appointment.

This Matte Black Queen of Hearts Mani

Grab a nail dotting tool, dip it in black polish, and with a light hand dab two dots (close-knit yet with some room in between) next to each other on the center of the nail bed. Connect the dots into a v-shape, shade it in, and voila—you have the most romantic matte-black heart against a nude base.

✨ Recreate it with: Sally Hansen Pro Nail Art Tool Kit

Nail Idea: Matte Black Flames

Move aside bright-colored flaming manicures. The fiery flame nail trend in a matte finish looks muted yet still intensifies that drip effect, especially on rounded-out nails, where brushing through the entire tip of the nail locks the design in place.

✨Recreate it with: Essie Gel Couture Matte Top Coat

Black and Cream Cableknit Nails

We’ve now entered winter nail art territory—a design reserved for a matte finish and a cozy season. The 3D design magnifies against a shiny transparent base coat, and since you’ll only cover the top half of the nail with knitted-sweater-reminiscent nail art, a thin stripe offers a transition between the thick and smooth polish textures.

✨Recreate it with: Beetles Nail Art Liner Brushes

Matte Black Celestial Nail Art

This epic mani has got it allllll going on. A gradient, ombre-esque finish, matte black tips, and a golden celestial design that’s absolutely out-of-this-world stunning.

✨Recreate it with: Maniology Nail Stamping Plate in BM-XL213

2023 Mani Idea Idea: Black Zodiac Nails

I may not know what my rising, sun, and moon signs are to accurately recreate a matte-black zodiac-inspired mani on my own, but what I do know is the perfect golden nail art decal to give the constellation nail trend a go. Your amazon cart never looked so good.

✨Recreate it with: Miss Forever Nail Stickers

This Dual-Textured Manicure

Hello, minimalism. You see, the beautiful thing about dual-textured nail look is that it has no rules, it’s all about what you want it to be. Paint your nails matte black first and then freehand a few simple lines and shapes using shiny black nail polish.

✨Recreate it with: Gucci Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in 700 Crystal Black

This Matte Black Mani with Italics

Finding the right nail polish to contrast your black, all-matte mani is as simple as looking to a hue that falls at the opposite end of the color spectrum: an ultra-nude matte polish. And if your pretty little hands can manage hand-drawing nail art with your non-dominant hand too (truly a talent), take a chance on investing in Orly’s Short Detailer Brush to achieve dainty italicized numerals and lettering in just a flick.

✨Recreate it with: Orly Matte Top Coat

This Diagonal Matte Black Nail Ideas

The secret to making this design look 10/10 isn’t the epic coffin nail shape (although that definitely doesn’t hurt your chances)…it’s scotch tape. Use it to create a clean, crisp lines between the matte and glossy polishes like a GD pro.

✨Recreate it with: Mischo Beauty Nail Polish in Run the World

Matte Black Nails with Metallic Stars

I could soooo see this black matte manicure with holographic stars being A thing during festival season. To DIY, do yourself a favor a invest in some star-shaped nail stickers or decals plus a glossy topcoat to lock em in place.

✨Recreate it with: Kitbe Star Nail Art Stickers

Tattoo-Inspired Matte Black Nails for 2023

When my TikTok for you page became flooded with nail tattoo videos, it took everything in me to refrain from getting my nails inked. But let me just say, these edgy designs at the center of the nail mimic the trend head-on.

✨Recreate it with: sundays T.03 Matte Top Coat

This Matte Black Press-On Mani

It’s safe to say our generation has collectively embraced the grunge aesthetic in 2023. Thankfully, Static Nails’ got a head start on the trend and created the Caviar Almond press-on kit. Your zero-commitment matte manicure will even feature vampy-red peekaboo tips.

✨Recreate it with: Static Nails Caviar Almond Press-On Nails

Matte Black Nail Idea: Geometric Accents

If your vibe is all about subtle geometric accents, focus on painting the detail on only two nails on each hand. I’ve got to get my hands on an oversized blazer to really emulate this classy manicure’s full effect.

✨Recreate it with: Sally Hansen Nail Art Striper Color in White

2023 Nail Idea: Matte Black Tiger Stripes

Tiger stripe designs seem so beginner-friendly, I’m about ready to go full-on Bob Ross on my nails. You don’t even need a base color to finesse the design, although imagine how good matte stripes would look atop brown nail polish.

✨Recreate it with: Essie Quick-Dry Expressie After Midnight Kit

Spooky Season-Inspired Nails

There’s no doubt this hazy manicure has spooky season written all over it. A glossy mani couldn’t compete even if it tried, proving yet again the depth a matte finish brings is quite literally unmatched.

✨Recreate it with: Reusable Halloween Smoky Press-On Nails

This Neutral Mani with Matte Black Swirls

A neutral manicure, while timeless, can feel a little blah, Liven up a classic color with black matte swirls and a touch of white polish to really sculpt out those moody crevices on select fingertips.

✨Recreate it with: Essie Nail Polish in Mind-full Meditation

This Matte Black Mani with An Accent Nail

IDK about you, but I’m feeling like this unique matte black mani with an accent nail design most definitely calls for a crimson red lip and a date night at the jazz club.

✨Recreate it with: Jin Soon Matte Maker Topcoat

Nail Idea: Reptile Design

Snake-skin prints and serpent designs are having a moment in fashion, and now, slithery manis have entered the chat. Don’t forget to bust out your nail art brushes for this look to ensure you get all the details just right.

✨Recreate it with: Tocoles Nail Art Brushes

Delicate Matte Black Swirls

We’ve seen swirls take shape on the nails in horizontal movements a bunch, but when you draw a stream of thin swirls vertically from base to tip, the shiny layer echoes an understated elegance.

✨Recreate it with: Boy de Chanel Nail Color 404

A Matte Black French Manicure for 2023

There’s nothing chicer than this black-on-black French manicure with a matte base and ultra-glossy tips. Pair it with your favorite black jeans and blazer for a cool-girl monochromatic look.

✨Recreate it with: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark

This Edgy French Manicure

Another stunning matte black French manicure idea…this time with a punk rock twist. I feel like Avril Lavigne would have totally worn nails like this circa 2002, right?

✨Recreate it with: Sally Hansen Nail Art Striper in Black

Manicure Idea for 2023: Matt Black Nails with Sunflowers

I’ve seen many iterations of sunflower-filled manis, and this, by far is as posh as it gets. The matte black paint job is flawless and the white-and-yellow flowers are the perfect size and placement on each nail.

✨Recreate it with: Cirque Colors Ready To Wear Nail Art Stickers

This Mystical Matte Black Manicure

Nothing like bright white nail art to make a charcoal-black matte mani pop. These nail designs cast a spell, and so I’m into it. Though, I could so see them spark interest beyond halloween season—maybe even on the beach in Mykonos. The whole ancient triangle and eye symbol speaks to either of those vibes.

✨Recreate it with: LeChat Dare to Wear Nail Polish in Black Velvet and LeChat Dare to Wear Nail Lacquer Matte Top Coat

Matte Black Nails with Portrait Nail Art

I aspire to be as unbothered as the design of this geometric woman. What’s her name? Anyways, the abstract design gives this black matte manicure a soothing feminine flair.

✨Recreate it with: Glamermaid Goth Black Press-on Nails

This Pointy French Manicure Idea

The stiletto nail shape with pointy tips offers a glam take on the black matte French manicure, for sure. By brushing the glossy top coat down to fingertip-length, the eye-catching shape only stands out even more so.

✨Recreate it with: Oblique Head French Tip Nail Brush

Nail Idea: Sun and Moon Designs

There are endless ways to get your nails summer-ready without reaching for neon and pastel shades. This vibey, boho nail art will serve just right. And with an almond nail shape, you’ll really get to expand your horizon and create a detailed sun and moon design.

✨Recreate it with: OPI Nail Polish in Alpine Snow

Matte Black Nails with 3D Nail Art

The 3D water-droplet nail trend is absolutely here to stay, so may I suggest you take inspo from this version here and try it for yourself, like ASAP? I love how the droplets really pop against the matte black base.

✨Recreate it with: Crystal Mermaid Nail Rhinestones

Matte Black Stiletto Nail Idea for 2023

Now that we’ve covered the infinite ways to take your black matte manicure to the next level with dainty, edgy, and even futuristic nail art, we’ve got to show you how velvety matte-black nail polish looks against dagger-sharp nails. They might even catch Enid Sinclair’s attention 👀

✨Recreate it with: OPI Black Onyx & Matte Top Coat Bundle

Matte Black Nail Idea for 2023: Spider Webs

To my comic book lovers, these webbed black-and-white designs are calling your name. Get the ball rolling on your sketch with an oval-shaped French tip and, then make sure to lengthen those spider web lines down to the cuticle for more ~drama.~

✨Recreate it with: Essie Nail Polish Set in Licorice and Blanc

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