Discover the Best Goth Nail Trends of 2020 – Dark, Sleek & Dangerous

Now, here’s an admission – my name’s Kara and I used to be a goth. Yes, I know! A proper old school goth. My music collection was vast and I was a huge fan of the UK goth scene,  listening to Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, Joy Division and other obscure bands.

With a closet full of black, and a make-up collection to die for, my friends and I would hang out, thinking we were cooler than cool. We reveled in our individuality, whilst, ironically, all dressing the same, but we loved the genre too much to give it up, and then gradually we did. I then switched to dance music (I know, don’t judge me) and the rave scene in the 90s and even enjoyed a brief stint in DJing for a while until I gave up.

However, whilst I don’t walk the walk anymore, I like to think that deep down inside, I still have a little of that gothness, and I’d love to share it with you guys in the form of nail polish!

So here’s my top three goth manicures.

 

1) OPI Nail Polish – Black Onyx

What Makes it Great

This deep, midnight black with a subtle shine is, quite simply, beautiful. The traditional color of the goth, OPI have designed a polish that is deliciously different, but yet still possesses all the timeless idealism of the gothic genre. For just over two weeks, I went back to my youth, until the first chip dragged me, kicking and screaming, back to reality.

Where it Could be Improved

Like many dark colors, I had to apply three coats to achieve the streak-free finish and true depth of color I was after.

 

2) ILNP Nail Polish – Black Orchid

What Makes it Great

Black Orchid is a lush deep burgundy polish, with rich veins of holographic purples and midnight blues running through it. Underneath a glassy top coat, the shine is extraordinary, shouting that it’s daringly different. Decadently goth, this is an awesome polish and luckily, it remained so for nearly three weeks.

Where it Could be Improved

Upon opening the bottle, the odor is quite strong, but nothing that an open window couldn’t fix.

 

3) Orly Nail Polish – Goth

What Makes it Great

Goth by name and goth by nature, Orly’s polish is gloriously black with silver glitter throughout. Subtle shimmers catch the light through the rich, luxuriant darkness, evoking thoughts of the starry midnight sky which rests in the heart of all things goth. It was over two weeks before I, sadly, had to remove it.

Where it Could be Improved

Make sure a base coat is applied before brushing on the polish, as it does leave a slight stain on your natural nails.