Accent nails are a great way to add some extra flair to your manicure. They’re perfect for when you want to change things up, but don’t want to go too crazy. They’re also the perfect way to add some color or pattern without committing to a full-on color change.

Why are accent nails popular?

It’s no secret that there’s been a lot of talk about accent nails in the past few years. It seems like everyone is doing it! But why have they become so popular? There are tons of reasons: they’re easier than full-on nail art; they make your manicure feel fresh and new again after only a few days; they’re simple and fun; and anyone can do them!

Can you have two accent nails?

Yes! And you can even have three or four. But it’s important to keep in mind that you want your accent nails to be different from each other so they don’t look like a mistake. For example, if one of your accent nails is gold while the other two are silver, then it will look intentional. If all three of them are silver or gold, though—or if they’re all similar shades of red—then it looks like something went wrong!

Which fingers should be accent nails?

You can choose any finger to be an accent nail, but it’s important to think about the context in which you’ll be wearing them. For example, if you’re going for a manicure with just two accent nails (as shown above), then it makes sense for one of those nails to be on your ring finger because that’s where wedding bands usually sit. If you’re going for more than three accents at once, then go with whichever ones look best on each finger.

What are some good ideas for accent nails?

We’ve got tens of design ideas for you below. You’ll find everything from bright colors to glittery lacquers and even metallic hues. There are tons of ways to make your nails stand out with just one or two accents!

1. Water Marble Accent Nail

Just look at how yellow and pink go well together. The accent nail looks amazing with all of its water marble style.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg9bc87uDnd/

Just look at how yellow and pink go well together. The accent nail looks amazing with all of its water marble style.

2. Swirl Accent Nails

Swirl nails are so popular these days. If you want to have an accent nail, this type of swirl nail is perfect for you.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf32gODOGP0/

Swirl nails are so popular these days. If you want to have an accent nail, this type of swirl nail is perfect for you.

3. Daisy Accent Nail

How about having a daisy accent nail on your right finger? The yellow color looks great with this accent nail, too.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg68RHYL02_/

How about having a daisy accent nail on your right finger? The yellow color looks great with this accent nail, too.

4. Glittered Accent Nails

Red nail polish is already a super cool thing but if you want more, you should definitely go for these accent nails. Swirl glittered nails are perfect.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg2yFkCvd_o/

Red nail polish is already a super cool thing but if you want more, you should definitely go for these accent nails. Swirl glittered nails are perfect.

5. Rainbow Accent Nails

Here is an amazing nail design idea for summer. Light purple is cool for summer especially but why not having a rainbow and floral accent nails?
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgu9fzXs-W4/

Here is an amazing nail design idea for summer. Light purple is cool for summer especially but why not having a rainbow and floral accent nails?

6. Strawberry Accent Nails

The fruit of summer, strawberries! When you wear red nail polish, it is a great idea to make it different by having strawberry accent nails.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgul4HYu9aU/

The fruit of summer, strawberries! When you wear red nail polish, it is a great idea to make it different by having strawberry accent nails.

7. Bumblebee Accent Nails

Bees are essential to human life and we rely on them. If you like these animals, you can wear it with a sun flower accent nails.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgt2U7NgSCs/

Bees are essential to human life and we rely on them. If you like these animals, you can wear it with a sun flower accent nails.

8. Turquois Glittered Accent Nails

The beautiful color of the sea, turquois, looks perfect when combined with an ombre and glittered accent.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgkYBuSlv3w/

The beautiful color of the sea, turquois, looks perfect when combined with an ombre and glittered accent.

9. Silver Stone Accent Nails

Nail art stones are enough to make your nails shine out. In addition to this, you can wear a glittered silver nail polish as an accent nail.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgkISesukz4/

Nail art stones are enough to make your nails shine out. In addition to this, you can wear a glittered silver nail polish as an accent nail.

10. Blue Accent Nails

There are some shades of blue here but if you want to make one of them to stand out, you can draw some random shapes on it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgcs4r1O4gK/

There are some shades of blue here but if you want to make one of them to stand out, you can draw some random shapes on it.

11. Colourful Accent Nails

For your colourful french tips, here is one of the best accent nails. As you see, the flowers on the right finger are the same with the tips.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgX5-vjlGVZ/

For your colourful french tips, here is one of the best accent nails. As you see, the flowers on the right finger are the same with the tips.

12. Sunflower Accent Nails

Beautiful sunflowers look gorgeous on top of transparent nails. You should definitely try this.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgS_k4WryDp/

Beautiful sunflowers look gorgeous on top of transparent nails. You should definitely try this.

13. Smiley Face Accent Nails

Smiley faces are so cute, so why not having them as accent nails? They will look amazing on top of your pink nails.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgKVq0epsni/

Smiley faces are so cute, so why not having them as accent nails? They will look amazing on top of your pink nails.

14. Floral Accent Nails

Flower lovers, here is a great accent nail design for you. Mixing daisy accent nails with lilac french tips is a good idea!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgDJYdmPK6E/

Flower lovers, here is a great accent nail design for you. Mixing daisy accent nails with lilac french tips is a good idea!

15. Evil Eye Accent Nails

Do you want to ward off variations of some evil intentions? Then you should wear an evil eye.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgC_s-1pC7l/

Do you want to ward off variations of some evil intentions? Then you should wear an evil eye.

16. Lightning Bolt Accent Nails

80s is the best decade in terms of colors, so here is a great 80s inspired accent nail idea for you. Besides the accent nails, color combination is perfect.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgzwq8-u1Xv/

80s is the best decade in terms of colors, so here is a great 80s inspired accent nail idea for you. Besides the accent nails, color combination is perfect.

17. Banana Accent Nails

 There are many banana inspired things and objects outside, so why not showing this iconic fruit as your accent nails?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgmpPMkOQFi/

There are many banana inspired things and objects outside, so why not showing this iconic fruit as your accent nails?

18. Stars Accent Nails

 One of the coolest nail desings is definitely black matte look. If you feel like giving them some color, you can wear a nail art of colorful stars.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgScUd-vFnv/

One of the coolest nail desings is definitely black matte look. If you feel like giving them some color, you can wear a nail art of colorful stars.

19. Abstract Art Accent Nails

Not all the accent nails must have a definite shape or meaning. Some irregular shapes, lines and marks can do the same job.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgJ_BMxuRNw/

Not all the accent nails must have a definite shape or meaning. Some irregular shapes, lines and marks can do the same job.

20. Red Nails with Strawberry Accents

Red nails are super sexy but to make it look cute, you can use accent nails with a combination of small strawberries and daisies.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgFTT0Bp_NX/

Red nails are super sexy but to make it look cute, you can use accent nails with a combination of small strawberries and daisies.

21. Purple Accent Nails

 Pink is a difficult color because not all the colors can go well with it. However, one of the best colors for pink is definitely light purple!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgFRsHGul7p/

Pink is a difficult color because not all the colors can go well with it. However, one of the best colors for pink is definitely light purple!

22. Olive Green Accent Nails

All shades of green are amazing but here is a super alternative that most people ignore. Bright olive green nails when combined with a olive branch nail art will make you look amazing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf24pG4uWK3/

All shades of green are amazing but here is a super alternative that most people ignore. Bright olive green nails when combined with a olive branch nail art will make you look amazing.

23. 4th of July Accent Nails

To celebrate the 4th of July, here is a great nail design idea for you. As accent nails, you can have white stars on dark blue base and a glittered silver on your pinky finger.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfwa_1DOB9-/

To celebrate the 4th of July, here is a great nail design idea for you. As accent nails, you can have white stars on dark blue base and a glittered silver on your pinky finger.

24. Matte Nails with Leaf Accents

 This is for those who love matte look. To give your lilac matte nails an energy, lilac and green leaves accent nails are great.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfuaoaHOZqI/

This is for those who love matte look. To give your lilac matte nails an energy, lilac and green leaves accent nails are great.

25. Chocolate Brown Accent Nails

Brown nude nails are in many women's favorite lists. If just a plain nail look is not for you, you can draw some shades to your ring finger.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CftLSSALAud/

Brown nude nails are in many women’s favorite lists. If just a plain nail look is not for you, you can draw some shades to your ring finger.

26. Pink Flowers Accent Nails

 I know you love this beautiful pink color, right? Also, just look at the perfect accent nails in which the flowers outline the French tips.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf7KvNKuyR2/

I know you love this beautiful pink color, right? Also, just look at the perfect accent nails in which the flowers outline the French tips.

27. Red French Nails with Heart Accents

Coloured French tips are on trend but do you want to show your own touch? Then, you can wear red heart accent nails!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfr0LrOPBkA/

Coloured French tips are on trend but do you want to show your own touch? Then, you can wear red heart accent nails!

28. Captain America Accent Nails

Marvel lovers, this is for you. Captain America inspired accent nails look nice to apply. Give it a shot.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfqKe-JMr9W/

Marvel lovers, this is for you. Captain America inspired accent nails look nice to apply. Give it a shot.

29. Red Cherry Accent Nails

We can see cherries all around especially in summer. As accent nails, they are a cute choice to combine with red nails.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfp0-R1leEr/

We can see cherries all around especially in summer. As accent nails, they are a cute choice to combine with red nails.

30. Ice Cream Accent Nails

 How many people have a melting ice cream and the American flad on their nails? Not many, so if you want to shine out in a crowd, go for it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CffDfTRPOxj/

How many people have a melting ice cream and the American flad on their nails? Not many, so if you want to shine out in a crowd, go for it.

31. Orange Ombre Accent Nails

One of the most popular nail design is ombre nails, for sure. It look gorgeous especially when a bright color like orange used.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfecV-xuSe9/

One of the most popular nail design is ombre nails, for sure. It look gorgeous especially when a bright color like orange used.

32. Pink Nails with Glittered Rainbow Accents

These nails look like they belong to a pinky world where unicorns live, don't they? Glittered rainbow accent nails are fabulous with pink nails.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfZf2vwOaii/

These nails look like they belong to a pinky world where unicorns live, don’t they? Glittered rainbow accent nails are fabulous with pink nails.

33. Nude Abstract Accent Nails

How about wearing some abstract forms as accent nails to take your nude nails to a new level? Just go for it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfRFOHcuC6L/

How about wearing some abstract forms as accent nails to take your nude nails to a new level? Just go for it.

34. Carnation Flower Nail Accents

Do you know the meaning of carnation flower? It is believed that red petals of it represents a heart that is full of love. That's why, you can wear this beautiful flower as accent nails.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfKezHTuN3o/

Do you know the meaning of carnation flower? It is believed that red petals of it represents a heart that is full of love. That’s why, you can wear this beautiful flower as accent nails.

As you see from the list above, accent nails are super easy to apply. Also, they look attractive since one or two nails stand out and they help you be noticeable. So, if you want to be someone like that, you should try accent nails.

We listed some of the best accent nails for you. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in comments.

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