You knew black nails could be fierce, but did you know that they could be feminine too?
We’ve all been through that emo high school phase: skull/studded accessories, Simple Plan CDs, and a black t-shirt that says ‘Misunderstood’. Black nails would undoubtedly have been part of your arsenal of protection against those who just don’t get you.
If you believe your days of black nails are long gone, these pretty nail art will get you thinking.
That Matte Hue
Matte nails are all the rage now, so why not extend it to black polish?
![Black matte nails checkered](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/44f43e4b-8bde-49d9-befc-deec4d302d1f/black-matte-nails-checkers.jpg)
SOURCE: Instagram user nailsbycambria
Sandwich a bit of nail art between deep matte nails.
![black nails glitter](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/25dc6421-e1a7-4476-9577-63d31c0acd4b/black-matte-nails-glitter.jpg)
SOURCE: Instagram user nailsbycambria
Marry geometry with sparkles to create this blinged-out look.
![black matte nails](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/a382d86e-eab6-450c-ba74-6665cb11500a/plain-black-matte-nails.jpg)
SOURCE: etsy user niceclaws
Or rock it plain with a unique tip.
Ombre, Hombre
Matching black with a softer colour in a gradient pattern can be pretty mesmerising. Where does one colour start and the other begin?!
![Black pink ombre nail art](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/c8686c9b-a6e7-479f-9d19-0c11d34e9ebc/black-pink-ombre-nails.jpg)
SOURCE: ladyluckbeauty.blogspot.com
Pink glitter is about as far away from “emo” as unicorns and Backstreet Boys.
![black red ombre nails](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/9d6c65df-3fdc-42a7-9998-8769d8cd9158/black-red-glitter-ombre-nails.jpg)
SOURCE: addictedtopolish.blogspot.com
For that romantic mood, use a deep red. Contrast it up with a layer of clear polish that contains speckles of black glitter.
![Black white ombre nails](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/0bd88f96-b661-48c1-a775-049e692c052b/black-white-gradient-manicure.jpg)
SOURCE: addictedtopolish.blogspot.com
An homage to our art classes back in primary school, this look features interesting nail splash patterns. No two nails are ever alike!
A la Francaise
Take a leaf out of the French by using black polish in the style of French tips.
![Black gold French manicure](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/a9966f86-a610-44e0-8f6f-ca17793b5f5e/black-gold-metallic-french-tips.jpg)
SOURCE: chalkboardnails.com
![Black gold French manicure](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/6dc206c2-6efb-4ee1-b1e5-e89a1dd9e072/black-gold-french-tips.jpg)
SOURCE: addictedtopolish.blogspot.com
![Black silver French manicure](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/c785b01e-c744-4522-af5a-dfea8579bfdb/black-silver-matte-french-tips.jpg)
SOURCE: blingart.co.uk
Use a gorgeous metallic colour for a hint of glamour.
![Black orange reverse french manicure](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/62e079fd-cfac-4c98-9bf3-c25c2fb54a4f/black-orange-reverse-french.jpg)
SOURCE: addictedtopolish.blogspot.com
Or rock out the reverse French tips by edging the bottom of your nails with something vibrant.
Work the Lines
Lines create interesting geometric patterns, and are useful for incorporating a bunch of different colours to soften the toughness of your black polish.
![Black white stripes nails](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/d01f740f-d6c8-47a3-ad0d-c48478e9ea36/black-white-lines-nail-art.jpg)
SOURCE: news-world.us
Create a striking look by alternating white and black polish.
![black gold nail art](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/100ad89f-a99d-44f9-a5b8-72a7d9895534/black-gold-line-nail-art.jpg)
SOURCE: addictedtopolish.blogspot.com
Try this glamazoid look for size. Use 2 tones to create different yet complementary nail styles.
![black blank space nail art](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/10828ac5-cc27-4af0-8cb7-6c48072b7fb8/black-blank-space-lines-nail-art.jpg)
SOURCE: fashionsy.com
Or do away with a second colour and just use blank space to pretty up them black nails.
For more blank space nail art ideas, read this!
Go Wild
Sometimes you just need to let your imagination take you to places you never thought possible.
![black floral nail art](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/c3d87f79-38ce-41d7-9289-bd4843aad7c3/black-floral-blank-space-nails.jpg)
SOURCE: 74ines.blogspot.com
These undeniably feminine nails only used black polish, taking advantage of that blank space craze using a floral twist.
![Black colourful glitter nail polish](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/0ddfed21-3731-4ee1-ac44-a1122f61a2b1/black-colourful-glitter-nails.jpg)
SOURCE: addictedtopolish.blogspot.com
Why stop at 2 colours? Use clear polish with colourful glitter for an instant uplift of plain black nails.
![Graphic black white nails](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/6a03c9ec-680a-4dc1-8bd8-680140a601e8/graphic-black-white-nail-art.jpg)
SOURCE: sonailicious.com
This super chic minimal look uses less black polish in the most effective way.
![Black white nail art](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/76290c2d-a6e6-4aa4-a846-a276da7affab/black-white-negative-space-nails.jpg)
SOURCE: sonailicious.com
Long live blank space! Use it in different geometric shapes to achieve something pretty unique.
![Black colourful polka dot nail art](https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/lovely-news/full-plain/f9ddd430-8212-48dd-bcdb-d333b27320f4/black-colourful-polka-dot-nails.jpg)
SOURCE: addictedtopolish.blogspot.com
And if all else fails, plain old polka dots are sure to liven any nails that threaten to cross the angsty line.
You knew black nails could be fierce, but did you know that they could be feminine too?