Yes, We're Reclaiming Black Nails As An Adult Staple (Here Are 30 Ideas To Personalize The Look)

You don't have to grow out of that black nail love your mom said was just a phase. And we're here to prove it. Yes, okay, we all went through that time when we were younger that we thought chipped black nail polish on our super short nails made us look super edgy and cool (yeah, maybe it wasn't the chicest look we've ever rocked) but it's time to reclaim the dark side and, in the words of the late Amy Winehouse, go back to black. But this time, we're rocking it with a twist.

One of the very best things about a black manicure? It goes with pretty much everything. Rocking some classic blue jeans with a white T-shirt? Black nails! Out for the evening in a cocktail dress and heels? Black nails! Going for a chic all-black ensemble? Black nails, duh! Though in its simplest all-black on every nail form, we get that it may not be the shade for everyone. That's why we've rounded up 30 of our very favorite ways to rock black nail polish in a way that still makes it very much your own. Even you hardcore Barbiecore fans are sure to find a style you love! We promise.

Though we still see them all over the place, shiny nails aren't for everyone. There's arguably always a time and place for a super shiny manicure, but if that's just not your vibe, a matte black look may just be. This manicure is an ideal option for those who don't want to spend hours at the nail salon or painting their own nails at home, as there's no complicated, time-consuming nail art to contend with. Instead, you can grab yourself a matte nail polish bottle, give yourself a couple of coats, and be on your way. If you don't have a matte shade though, you could just grab a shiny polish and matte it down with a mattifying base and top coat. That way you can make the rest of your polishes matte, too!

Another look that makes use of black on the tip of the nails only, this design brings a whole lot of glam to the dark nail trend. This gorgeous nail look is an ideal compromise for those who love a French manicure but still want to try out the black trend with a little added sparkle in their look. The super long, square tips are oh-so on trend with what we've seen so many celebs rocking, as well. But don't think you have to go crazy long with your nails to rock this look, as you could get a similar effect with a shorter, rounder nail shape too.

If you're not afraid to go big and bold when it comes to your nail designs, this may be the black look of your dreams. We can't take our eyes off the daring neon pink flames across four of the nails, while the sparkly chrome glitter design on the accent nail also gives this manicure an electric-yet-glamorous twist. Of course, the accent nail here is optional, and if you're not a big fan of the flames, you could always do the duo chrome glitter on a black base for all five nails.

You need some strong eyes (and a steady hand) for this manicure, but, oh boy, is it worth it. This unique design has a hypnosis wheel design put right on the nails, so you can still be in on the black manicure trend without having to be too on the nose about it all. Though this one may take a little time to perfect (you may want to go for nail transfers to get it looking just right), it's a pretty incredible way to show off your fun side. And we guarantee you won't need to hypnotize anyone to get all the compliments on these bad boys.

Ready to show off your creative side? Because this nail design is a great way to do just that. Here, the nail artist created a different design on each nail, opting for a thinner line on the pinky finger, while creating more of a block effect on the ring and index finger. As for the middle finger? Well, that's full-on black. Of course, you can create whatever lines and swirls you want on your fingers if you're feeling inspired by this look, with one nail or more completely painted black.

Don't think you have to go for a super dark black nail polish to show off your love for this trend, because it's not all about the deep, totally opaque shades. This look appears to have been done using a matte powder, creating a gorgeous translucent black nail effect that we can't take our eyes off of. To really set it off, the nail artist then went for some darker, shiny black nail art over the top.

Another way to brighten up the traditional black manicure and put a more feminine twist on the classic is to use an accent nail to bring some pizzazz. If you're usually a fan of a little pink or a little glitter, but you don't like too much nail art, then we'd recommend incorporating that via accent nail. That way, you're getting all the benefits of the classic block black manicure, but also putting your personality in there, too.

If you're looking for a little more glamour and glitter, then why not opt for a little regal gold? This nail design separates the black polish from the natural pink with what appears to be a shiny gold leaf effect on both the pinky and ring fingernails. While this would look gorgeous on all four nails, this design goes one step further and incorporates some silver glitter nail polish on the index and middle finger, with a thin strip of glitter between the black polish and the cuticle.

It's a common misconception that black manicures can't still be flirty, fun, and feminine because this manicure design proves that's most certainly not the case. If dark nails aren't usually your thing and you find yourself browsing the lighter colors in the nail salon, then look no further than this girly design. This person opted for pink flowers (which really pop against the black background!) on each nail except their ring fingers, where they went for heart-shaped nail accessories made out of pearls. Can it get much more girly than that?

There's something kind of mystical about a black manicure, so looking to the stars for inspiration on what to put on your fingertips is only natural. This design proves that, as the nail technician clearly put a lot of hard work into this one. Not only did they put constellations onto the client's nails, but they even gave them a stunning and super intricate version of Saturn on their ring finger. We also can't get enough of how every second nail is covered in stars, which really brings everything together.

Instead of joining the black nail movement with black polish all over the nail, you could instead bring in the black via your nail art. This person kept things simple by opting for a natural pink base that matched their skin tone, then brought in the darker tone by putting black polish on a third of the nail. On two fingers, they also brought a little extra pizzazz with small dots placed carefully alongside the edge.

For those who prefer to keep things simpler on their nails, just a little something to put your own stamp on the design is probably the best way to go. In this case, the nail art consists of a simple and small baby pink heart on each nail, which really stands out against the block color nail. You don't have to go for hearts if you don't want to, though. Just pick your favorite color and symbol, and put one on each nail to try out this look.

Remember when some nail polishes came with magnets in the top so you could manipulate your nail polish to create somewhat of a textured effect? Well, things have moved on a little since then in terms of magnet technology — and it's looking better than ever. This person used an upgraded magnet technique to create a stunning spacey effect that changes color depending on the angle you look at it. It gives this manicure a mysterious edge that we can't look away from.

Elegance is the name of the game with this stunning manicure look. This person opted for matte black tips (with the fun twist of each one having a swirly, non-traditional edge) over a matte pink main nail color, which is pretty similar to the milk nail trend that's so hot right now. They then topped things off with elegant shiny gold nail art in the shape of delicate and intricate leaves, which adds that extra touch of sophistication and glamour you don't always see with black nail looks.

For those who love neon colors and rainbows with high-contrast black, this is for you. The bold and bright nail look incorporates all three fun aspects into one, as it features what appears to be a zebra print on the ring finger, with different custom twists applied to the other nails. The colors most certainly pop over the black background, but we especially love the way each nail is still tied together through the colors, with a transition that goes through shades like a rainbow.