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 is usually the accent nail? ›

Accent nails have rocketed up the list of favourite nail art for amateur and experienced artists. They look cute and are easy to do because you only need to do one—usually the ring finger—or two nails and keep the rest plain and simple.

Are accent nails still in style in 2024? ›

For those with an adventurous spirit, metallic accents are a must-try trend in 2024. Whether it's shimmering gold leaf detailing, gleaming silver foil accents, or futuristic chrome finishes, metallic elements add a modern twist to any nail look, elevating your manicure to a whole new level of sophistication and style.

Can the pointer finger be the accent nail? ›

Perhaps one of our favorite looks so far is the pointer finger accent nail designed by Jin Soon for Tibi. At the show, models rocked a bright color on just the pointer finger nail. To recap: the ring finger has traditionally been the accent finger of choice.

What is the most common accent nail? ›

Ring Finger

Arguably the most common and popular destination of the accent nail.

What does a painted ring finger mean? ›

If you see a man with a single painted nail, most often the ring finger, he is probably partaking in the Polished Man campaign. This campaign was started by Elliot Costello when he traveled to Cambodia and met a little girl named Thea. Thea recounted the sexual abuse she suffered.

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.

What type of fingers are attractive? ›

Longer, slender fingers, with slender hands and long nails shape. The more feminine the hand the better.

What nail color is in trend for 2024? ›

Lavender: Lavender nail polish is a soft and soothing shade that is making waves in 2024. This delicate and feminine color brings a sense of calmness and elegance to your manicure, making it a popular choice for those who want a subtle yet sophisticated look.

What nail color is on trend in 2024? ›

The Prettiest Nail Polish Colors For Spring 2024. Soft peach, bold yellow, and fiery red are all in store. Spring breathes new life into everything from the greenery you see outside to beauty trends.

What is the nail trend in May 2024? ›

FEMININE TOUCH. “For Spring Summer '24, expect to see lots of shimmers that evoke a dreamy feeling like frosted chromes, baby pink shimmers, and sheer milky lavenders,” says Minerva.

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.

Which nail shape makes fingers look longer? ›

Coffin nails, also known as ballerina nails, are long and narrow with a squared-off tip. They are named after the shape of a coffin, and are sometimes also called "stiletto nails." Coffin nails are a good choice for people with short, wide fingers, as they can make the fingers look longer and more slender.

What is the current fingernail style? ›

Thin French Nail Style

In 2024, you can expect to see thin french manicures everywhere. They look very elegant and are a perfect choice for all seasons. Therefore, ladies, get ready to stay elegant with the classic french mani style.

What is the most attractive nail color? ›

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 .

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 nail color makes you most attractive? ›

Soft pastel shades like baby pink, lavender, or light blue can evoke a sense of sweetness and femininity. These colors are often associated with a gentle and approachable personality. Many guys find pastel nail polish attractive because it gives a feeling of innocence and charm.

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