16 Accent Nail Ideas That Will Instantly Elevate Your Manicure

If your manicure has been looking a little bland lately, one of the best ways to elevate your look is with the best accent nail ideas. Designed to break up your manicure and add another layer of visual interest, accent nails are a great way to experiment with different colors, shapes and textures without committing to a full nail design.

“An accent nail is the centerpiece of a manicure, the one detail that instantly catches the eye,” says Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of luxury nail salon Townhouse. “This is usually when one, or sometimes two, nails are painted in a contrasting shade or accented with nail art. This creates a chic focal point and is a very stylish way to dip into trends or show off your personality. Think of it as the jewel of your manicure, that finishing touch that ties everything together.”

Which finger should be an accent nail?

The most common finger for accent nails is the ring finger. “It’s a natural eye-catcher; if you wear a special ring, it makes a perfect setting,” says Huber-Millet.

However, the beauty of accent nails is in the amount of options. Celebrity manicurist and Kiss Nails ambassador Julie K encourages her clients to tailor their choice based on their personal style or upcoming events. “It really can be worn on any finger,” says Julie. “I like to switch it up: maybe one hand will have an accent on the ring finger and another will have a thumb. That way, if they’re filming content or if they’re traveling and want to take a photo of their food or drink, they have a nail with the accent design holding the glass.”

Gina Edwards, celebrity manicurist and imPress Mani ambassador, also recommends the index and pinky fingers for accent nails.

Can you wear more than one accent nail?

You can definitely wear more than one accent nail. According to Huber-Millet, it’s a great way to change the mood of your manicure. “For some, a single accent nail is chic and understated, while others prefer to experiment with two or more for a bolder effect,” she says. “Accent nails allow you to be playful and creative while still keeping your manicure neat.”

Should an accent nail use light colors or dark colors?

It all depends on the type of look you’re going for. “It could go one way or the other,” Edwards says. “If you have a light-colored manicure, a dark nail will stand out and it will work the same upside down. Just be sure to keep the colors consistent and in the same grain as the color palette.”