‘Night Sky’ Nails Deserve a Spot on Your November Mood Board

Nails like a cozy winter night.

Leiana Foye
Leiana Foye
Instagram
About NewBeauty

Published: Oct 30, 2024

We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors.

side by side images of night sky manicures — IG: @lolo.nailedit / @matejanova

Winter. It's not the cold temperatures, biting wind, slushy ice or dry skin that I have a hard time handling—it's the night sky settling in at 4:15 pm. I give myself a pep talk every October—it's only a few months! the extra hour of sleep is worth it!—to fight the dread I feel about early nights and dark mornings. But, this year I'm trying to embrace the change. That, of course, means lighting candles, cooking warm stews and watching my favorite movies under cozy blankets. And for a beauty editor, it also means using the darkest time of the year as unlikely manicure inspiration. Enter "night sky" nails.

Maybe it's because Daylight Savings Time ends in less than a week (November 3), but some of my favorite nail artists' Instagram profiles are filled with manicures in blacks, midnight blues and the darkest greens. All of these looks have starlit-inspired shimmers reminiscent of a clear night sky. Keep scrolling to see some of my favorite looks, the polishes behind each and more polishes to shop so you can replicate your own "night sky" nails.

'Night Sky' Nails in Action

View this post on Instagram

Dreamy Nail Inspiration

‘Night Sky’ Nails Deserve a Spot on Your November Mood Board

1 / 12

"A dark, dark sparkly green"

London nail artist Mateja Novakovic created this stunning, nearly black and subtle sparkling manicure using Manucurist's Green Natural Nail Polish in Poison, a color described by the brand as a "shimmering forest green." Product used:Manucurist Green Natural Nail Polish in Poison ($14)

BUY NOW - $14

2 / 12

"Dark night aura"

Aura nails are as popular as ever, as @lolo.nailedit demonstrates with this dark and mesmerizing mani. Products used:Pleasing Bell Boy Blue ($18) and Pleasing Dustin The Black Cat ($18)

BUY BELL BOY BLUE - $18

BUY DUSTIN THE BLACK CAT - $18

3 / 12

"A touch of sparkle"

If a stark black isn't your favorite, manicurist Chels Lou combines a beautiful blue shade with "Starlight" shimmer. Product used:The Gel Bottle Starlight ($17)

BUY NOW - $17

4 / 12

Gorgeous Galaxy

This multidimensional mani, with iridescent greens and purples and golds, reminds me of images of far-off galaxies. Product used:CHANEL LE VERNIS in PHÉNOMÈNE ($32)

BUY NOW - $32

5 / 12

Midnight Navy

Novakovic shows off a stunning metallic navy blue manicure. Product used:Bio Sculpture GEMINI Nourishing Nail Polish in '98 to Date ($13)

BUY NOW - $13

6 / 12

A Hint of Sparkle

If you're usually not into glitter nail looks, a single sparkly nail makes a subtle statement.

7 / 12

Crimson Sunset

There's nothing like winter sunsets (even if they happen way too early) when golds, reds and oranges clash to form crimson skies. Here, Novakovic wears Bio Sculpture's Rosewood Stardust, a copper-like shade with rose gold shimmer. Product used:Bio Sculpture GEMINI Nourishing Nail Polish in Rosewood Stardust ($13)

BUY NOW - $13

8 / 12

Midnight Mantra

Weathered Penny's Midnight has not a sparkle in sight, but this dark, grayish blue is as serene as it is stormy, like the night sky after an evening storm. Product used:Weathered Penny Nail Polish in Midnight ($21)

BUY NOW - $21

9 / 12

Electric Nights

Try this shade if you've wanted to emulateHailey Bieber's inky navy manicure. Novakovic describes it as a "mysterious, deep blue with a metallic sheen."Product used:Green Flash LED Gel Polish in Dark Night ($19)

BUY NOW - $19

10 / 12

"Sparkle in the dark"

Upgrade your black nail polish with a little diamond dusting. Here, Novakovic added a simple sliver of silver sparkle around the entire nail edge. Product used:BRiLLBIRD Hypnotic Diamond ($17)

BUY NOW - $17

11 / 12

Silver Shine

If you want to lighten up your manicure, but still love the starlight look, then I say do it full throttle, like Lou does here. She calls it a "firm favorite" for the holiday season. Product used:The Gel Bottle in Blinding Lights ($21)

BUY NOW - $21

12 / 12

Subtle Stars & Moons

While not exactly reminiscent of the night sky, I can't get over how gorgeous this simple moon and star nail art is. Use a pretty pink beige, like OPI's Bubble Bath ($12), add some gold nail stickers and voilà!

BUY NOW - $12