Halloween Manicures from the Runway

Things have started to get spooky around here!Blood-inspired nails-from Prabal Gurung's NYFW show and also seen at Gareth Pugh in Paris-are giving us the creeps! (And we mean that in the best possible way.) While we suggest sticking with our fall lacquer favorites for your everyday digits, these eerie runway nail designs are perfect for Halloween! We caught up with celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival, who created the blood-drop nails at Prabal Gurung, to get the lowdown on the spook-tastic tips. "Prabal was inspired by artist Anish Kapoor, who did an installation called Blood," Percival told InStyle.com.

To get the look, she suggests first painting nails a natural color, then using a nail art brush and a deep maroon shade to recreate the chilling manicure. "When you dip the brush into your nail polish, there will be a ball on the end, which is how you know you've picked up enough," Percival told us. "Take the ball and push it onto the nail, then pull the brush upward in a line toward the tip." For a dripping effect, go back and fill in any sparse lines.

Too gory for your taste? Try a dark ombré nail like the models wore at Gareth Pugh instead. Start with a coat of deep berry polish and let it fully dry. Then, on a flat protected surface, pour a little of that same dark lacquer next to-just close enough so they touch- a polish in a lighter red shade. Using a toothpick, swirl the colors together at the point where they meet. Dab a makeup sponge into the polish mixture and lightly press onto nails to create an ombré effect. Clean up the edges with a wooden manicure stick (or pointy cotton swab) dipped in acetone remover.

Volia! You can cross frightening fingertips off your Halloween to-do list. Now you just need to figure out a costume…

MORE:
More Halloween Manicures
Celebrity Costume Ideas
New Nail Innovators
NYFW Nail Polishes
Fall Shades We Love

- Kelly Holechek