How to Do an Accent Nail in 4 Easy Steps - L'Oréal Paris (2024)

One of the most popular nail art trends is the accent nail. Accent nails are a simple way to customize your manicure and add personality by adding a contrasting color to one nail on each hand. A shimmering ring finger is a gorgeous way for brides-to-be to subtly show off while a bright accent added to an all-black manicure makes for an unexpected pop of color. By choosing two different nail polish shades and following our easy four-step tutorial, you can create the perfect manicure in no time at all! Plus, stay till the end for five accent nail ideas anyone can do!

STEP #1: PREP YOUR NAILS

A manicure is only as good as its prep work. First, remove all traces of old polish from your nails with an acetone-based nail polish remover. You want to have a clean slate for your new mani! Then use a nail file to buff and smooth the tops of your nails as well as fine-tune your desired nail shape. (Not sure what shape is for you? Check how our guide on How to Choose the Right Nail Shape.)

Finish your prep work by swiping on a base coat. This will protect your nails and prevent them from staining if you choose to wear bold colors!

STEP #2: PAINT YOUR NAILS

Reach for your first nail polish shade. This will be the polish you use to paint the majority of your nails—minus whichever nail you choose for your accent, of course. Apply one coat, allow it to dry, then follow with a second.

STEP #3: CHOOSE YOUR ACCENT

It’s time for the moment you’ve been waiting for—drum roll, please! Grab your second nail polish shade and pop it onto your accent nails to make a statement. Your accent nail can be your ring finger (a popular choice), your thumbnail, or any nail you want to call attention to.

STEP #4: SMOOTH ON A TOP COAT

Now that your nails are prepped and colored, it’s time to seal in your look. Apply a top coat to help increase the lifespan of your manicure and protect it from chipping. That’s it—now show off your nails!

5 ACCENT NAIL IDEAS TO TRY

So, you know how to do an accent nail, but what are some good accent nail ideas? Well, we’ve compiled a list of five color combos worth trying.

Accent Nail Idea #1: Black and white. Keep it classy and rock a black and white color scheme. You can choose to have either shade as your accent color, then use the remaining polish on the rest of your nails. The result? A mani that’s totally mod!

Accent Nail Idea #2: Nude and neutral. Love the look of simple, neutral nails? This one’s for you! First, paint most of your nails with a nude nail polish. Then, color your accent nail in your favorite neutral. We love the look of a terracotta accent nail for this look, and terracotta also happens to be a seriously trendy color in the beauty scene at the moment.

Accent Nail Idea #3: High contrast. For those who prefer nails that are anything but neutral, a bold, high contrast accent nail is probably more your speed. Choose two colors that coordinate yet still create some drama. Some pairings we’re fond of? Navy with a bright yellow accent, peach with an aqua accent, and mint with a cobalt accent.

Accent Nail Idea #4: Bring on the sparkle. We couldn’t leave out the traditional, sparkly accent nail, now could we? Pick your poison—or in this case, a nail color with a natural finish to use on the majority of your nails. Then paint your accent nail with a sparkly polish for a bit of glitz and glam. One of our favorite ways to rock this look? Nude nails with a glimmering gold accent.

Accent Nail Idea #5: Patterned pop. If you’re fond of intricate nail art, know that accent nails don’t have to be a solid color. You can put your skills to use and create a design on your accent nails. If you’re just getting into nail designs, this is perfect, as painting something more complicated on just a nail or two is much easier than doing all of your nails. Try polka dots or stripes on your ring finger!

Next up: It’s safe to say you can now consider yourself a pro when it comes to the accent nail, but what about some other popular nail looks and trends? Check out our articles, How to Do Sea Glass Nails and How to Do Hole Punch Nail Art at Home, for more nail inspo.

How to Do an Accent Nail in 4 Easy Steps - L'Oréal Paris (2024)

FAQs

How to Do an Accent Nail in 4 Easy Steps - L'Oréal Paris? ›

If you have fair skin, then you might want to opt for a lighter shade as an accent. If you have olive or dark skin, then a brighter or bolder color might look best on you. Ultimately, you want to choose an accent shade that will contrast nicely with your skin tone and make your nails pop.

Should your accent nail be lighter or darker? ›

If you have fair skin, then you might want to opt for a lighter shade as an accent. If you have olive or dark skin, then a brighter or bolder color might look best on you. Ultimately, you want to choose an accent shade that will contrast nicely with your skin tone and make your nails pop.

Which finger to paint different colors? ›

Ring Finger

Arguably the most common and popular destination of the accent nail. For single ladies, adding a splash of colour to your ring finger means that you are single, drawing attention to your ringless finger.

Can the pointer finger be the accent nail? ›

The index finger isn't as common for an accent nail as we'd like it to be. It looks bold and eye-catching, especially if you're in the finger-pointing line of work, say a teacher or trainer. Keep it simple with minimal embellishments, work with multiple colours, and don't be afraid to try glitter.

How many accent nails can you have? ›

We are huge fans of the classic, singular accent nail, but there's no reason why you can't rock a fun accent on more than one nail at a time. For example, alternate every other nail for a balanced, patterned look, or only put accents on your pinky and thumb to frame the three fingers in the middle.

What nail color is most attractive? ›

In a representative survey, the German Paint Institute found that men generally likeblue , but also likegray , black and brown . Both sexes like green about equally, while women are more likely to like red ,yellow ,beige and orange .

Are accent nails still a thing? ›

"Accent nails — where one nail is painted differently from the others — have become outdated," Frank told Insider. Instead, she recommended trying a more cohesive look by using complementary colors or patterns on every nail.

What does purple nail polish on a ring finger mean? ›

Paint your ring fingernail purple to show the world your #PutTheNailinIt vow to end domestic violence. A painted nail is an easy and empowering way for anyone – women, men and even children – to start a conversation about domestic violence and end the silence that so often allows it to thrive.

What does one painted pinky nail mean? ›

Men often paint one fingernail to help raise awareness about violence against children. The idea is that by painting one in five nails, it raises awareness that one in five children will be victims of sexual violence. The campaign is spearheaded by Polished Man, a nonprofit organization.

How to do chrome accents on nails? ›

You can do this without too much fuss – simply paint your nails with a base coat or coloured polish, then apply the chrome powder to give you a smooth and shiny look. To finish up, seal your manicure with a topcoat for a long-lasting hold.

Why is the accent nail the ring finger? ›

It's like, "Oh, this finger's different." Or just to let the world know, "You're looking at this finger and by the way, there's no ring on it." It draws the eye. Edwards: The accent nail started because women usually wear wedding rings on their ring finger.

How to alternate three colors on nails? ›

To achieve this look, you can either use a different color on each nail or alternate the colors on each finger (with an ombre effect, or French tips, for example). The possibilities are endless, and you can get as creative as you want with your color combinations.

Can you wear fake nails twice? ›

Yes, you can reuse them if the false nail is not damaged. But press on nails kits are cheap, I won't reuse them. Because I like to wear different styles of press-on nails for different periods. I wear press-on nails from the Jofay fashion brand regularly and change them frequently now.

What do different colored fingernails mean? ›

For instance, clear, pale nails can be a sign of anemia or poor nutrition. White nails, also known as Terry's nails, are a sign of kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes. Yellow nails can be a fungal infection, a thyroid issue, or a rare condition called Yellow Nail Syndrome.

Do darker or lighter colors look better on short nails? ›

Dark colors can create the illusion of shorter nails, while lighter colors make nails appear longer. To better understand how different colors would look on your short nails, try using the YouCam Nails app.

What is the most flattering nail colors? ›

“Nail polish colors that have cool tones—like blue, lavender, and light pink—typically complement people with cool undertones,” says celebrity manicurist Queenie Nguyen. Pastel colors, blue-based reds, and jewel tones are also very flattering. If you're choosing brown nail polish, lean toward taupes.

Is painting one nail a different color still in style? ›

Accent nails are outdated.

"Accent nails — where one nail is painted differently from the others — have become outdated," Frank told Insider. Instead, she recommended trying a more cohesive look by using complementary colors or patterns on every nail.

Are accent nails still on trend? ›

It's officially time to say goodbye to the accent nail.

"Rather than opting for one accent nail, most are opting for a more seamless, streamlined look, whether it be all accent nails or a more minimalist style," she said.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 6456

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.