We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.
A+ inspo for your next mani.
If you love the look of nail art but aren’t trying to drop your life savings on a manicure with a full set of complex designs and patterns, may I suggest just adding an accent nail or two? Listen, I love nail art as much as the next person, but let’s face it—it can get pricey and it’s time-consuming when every nail is decked out in intricate art. Accent nails—i.e., dressing up a nail or two in a different color, pattern, or style than the rest of your mani—are a great way to baby step into the world of nail art if you’re not ready to spend a ton of money or sit through an hours-long session while your nail tech does their thing. And accent nails are super customizable too—you can add a simple line to your ring finger if you’re into minimalist manis or go all out with nail stickers and decals if you love a bolder look. So to help you get inspired for you next mani, I’ve rounded up the 27 nest accent nail ideas and trends on IG right now.
A post shared by 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐢 (@thehotblend)
The best thing about the accent nail trend? There are a million different nail stickers and designs to choose from, so all you have to do is pick whichever one matches your vibe. This teeny tiny eye is such a great summer nail design idea.
💫 Re-create it with: Nails Inc. Made in Mykonos Nail Set with Stickers
A post shared by 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐢 (@thehotblend)
How fun are these smiley hearts as an accent nail idea? This design might be a little hard to re-create on your own, so book an appointment with your nail tech and bring along a screenshot of this photo for the ultimate inspiration.
💫 Re-create it with: 786 Breathable Nail Polish in Chamarel
A post shared by 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐢 (@thehotblend)
K, I promise these flame accent nails are easier to DIY than they look. After painting your nails with a neutral shade, grab a nail art brush and dip it into the nail polish of your choice to slowly trace curvy lines that resemble fire.
💫 Re-create it with: Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer in Cabana Boy
A post shared by Melanie (@overglowedit)
I love personalizing absolutely everything, hence my obsession with this initial accent nail. I 10/10 recommend using initial nail stickers if you want to incorporate this accent nail idea into your next mani.
💫 Re-create it with: Yvemk Self-Adhesive Alphabet Nail Stickers
A post shared by Melanie (@overglowedit)
I love how this look pairs a red French manicure with a heart-filled accent nail. This love-themed design could also double as the perf Valentine’s day nail idea too.
💫 Re-create it with: Sunday Studios Nail Polish in No. 16
A post shared by Melanie (@overglowedit)
This look is proof that the checker trend and accent nails are basically made for each other. These checkers, mushrooms, and smiley faces are giving me ’70s vibes—plus, I love how bright and colorful the design is too.
💫 Re-create it with: Jinsoon Nail Polish in Absolute White
A post shared by Jin Soon Choi (@jinsoonchoi)
Feeling a more futuristic vibe? Then these cool, chrome accent nails are the perfect way to elevate your manicure game. It’s a super unique, eye-catching look and I’m totally here for it.
💫 Re-create it with: Emilie Heathe Nail Polish in Mr. M
A post shared by IMARNI NAILS (@imarninails)
Fruit-inspired nail art is one of my favorite trends right now, and this graphic detail is just too cute. To re-create this design, you’ll need some skinny nail art brushes, a pale-yellow nail polish, and a deep-green nail polish. Draw on your lemons and their leaves by creating ovals and then adding sharp points to the ends of each shape.
💫 Re-create it with: Essie Expressie Quick Dry Polish in Beeline
A post shared by IMARNI NAILS (@imarninails)
If you’re not into bright colors, opt for a simple black matte design and accent nails with numbers that mean something to you. I’m guessing this person was born in 1991, but you don’t have to use your birthday—try an anniversary date or maybe even some angel numbers too.
💫 Re-create it with: Beetles No Wipe Matte Top Coat
A post shared by Betina R. Goldstein (@betina_goldstein)
Sunny-side up eggs, anyone? If you’re a big fan of this delish breakfast dish, this accent nail design sure is an adorable way to show it—and it’s sort of making me hungry.
💫 Re-create it with: Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Color Me Curious
A post shared by Betina R. Goldstein (@betina_goldstein)
I love the way this butterfly nail design looks like it’s popping off of this manicure. I’m NGL though—painting these tiny insects might be tricky, but DW, I found a little shortcut for you: these glittery butterfly nail stickers. They’re straight Mariah Carey vibes.
💫 Re-create it with: Pear Nova Class Lacquer in Knight in Shining Armor
A post shared by Alicia Torello (@aliciatnails)
This minimalist nail accent is a simple yet unexpected way to give your mani a little something extra. Dip a nail art brush into a black nail polish and paint a thin line across your ring finger nail and voilà, you have runway-worthy nails.
💫 Re-create it with: Triple OOO Classic Lacquer in Eze Nri
A post shared by ❤ Hang Nguyen ❤ (@thehangedit)
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: The tiny petals on these accent nails aren’t the work of a nail art brush but a dotter tool. The tiny circles on the end of these tools create the perfect circles, so all it takes to make a pretty flower is dunking it into the nail polish color of your choice in the pattern of your favorite florals.
💫 Re-create it with: Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Polish in Pursuit
A post shared by Catherine Hong (@smile___nails)
Speaking of dotter tools, this alternating polka-dot accent nail idea *looks* like it would be difficult to achieve, but if you have a dotter tool, it’s honestly easy. Choose three colors of nail polish you’re into and lightly submerge the dotter tip into the polish so you can easily place a few dots onto two nails that you’ve left bare.
💫 Re-create it with: Revlon Ultra Nail Polish in Commander
A post shared by Samantha 🌹 (@samrosenails)
Smiley faces are really having a moment right now, and these gold and pink nails are a great opportunity to give them a try. Layer on two thin coats of a pale pink nail polish and then stick on some fun nail stickers on a few fingers.
💫 Re-create it with: Memeda Neutral Gel Nail Polish
A post shared by Samantha 🌹 (@samrosenails)
Listen, if you only have a few minutes and you want to dress up your mani in a hurry, nail stickers will be your BFF. There are so many cute ones out there, like these adorable aliens on these green nails.
💫 Re-create it with: Deco Miami Nail Stickers
A post shared by Nails by Agnes • Markham (@agnesh.nails)
Want to add some variety to a classic French manicure? Go ahead and add a cloud pattern to your middle and ring fingers to mix things up. The cool thing about this design is that because the white in the clouds matches the white on the tips, the accent nails blend in seamlessly for a stunning look.
💫 Re-create it with: Mented Cosmetics Nail Lacquer in Pinkish
A post shared by Nails by Agnes • Markham (@agnesh.nails)
I don’t know about you, but accessorizing my nails with delicate is my new obsession after seeing this photo. BRB while I elevate my days-old mani and glue one a few pearls and shiny sparkles.
✨ Re-create it with: Agcfabs Loose Pearl Nail Beads
A post shared by @nailsbyashleighr
The cutest combination of different shades of green, this retro mani is pretty enough to wear year-round. Ask your nail tech to accessorize your French tips with by layering multiple shades of green polish into a heart design.
💫 Re-create it with: 516 Polish in Habitat
A post shared by Chelsea King LeBouton (@chelseaqueen)
If you’re worried about a few of these rocks snagging on something, don’t fret, a thick coat of a gel top coat layered on can help soften any rough edges so they won’t catch on your sweater—plus, the gel helps keeps them in place for longer.
💫 Re-create it with: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Top Coat
A post shared by @nailsbyashleighr
Adding a little marbling to your nails is the perfect way to give them added dimension. The good news is that you don’t need a steady hand to DIY—just drip a few different polish colors on a nail palette and use a fan brush to dip into the shades before applying them to your nails.
💫 Re-create it with: Sephora Collection Color Hit Mani in Cookie Break
A post shared by Nicky nails (@nickyynailss)
This snake accent nail is equal parts sexy and subtle—not to mention super trendy (I’m seeing snake designs everywhere at the moment). The sparkly nail polish on top of the black nail polish on this serpent mimics the look of scales—how cool is that?
✨ Re-create it with: Gucci Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish in Ellen Blush
A post shared by T E N D R E (@tendrehands)
Go ahead and elevate a classic red nail look with a little negative space and a few swirls. All you need is a fine-tipped nail art brush to creates the wavy lines and some star nail art stickers to complete the look.
💫 Re-create it with: China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners in Flame-Boyant
A post shared by T E N D R E (@tendrehands)
Nail stickers are the easiest way to DIY nail art without having to paint actual things on your nails. My rec? Find a few designs that you love (like the swirly, trippy patterns here) and keep them handy for moments when you want to jazz up your mani without the fuss.
💫 Re-create it with: Publi Graffiti Nail Stickers
A post shared by IMARNI NAILS (@imarninails)
A French mani looks beautiful on its own, but adding in an accent nail or two using an opposing color can add a little bit of fun contrast. Case in point: these red tips with pottery-inspired blue flowers. It’s a stunning combo.
💫 Re-create it with: Venalisa Gel Nail Polish in Deep Blue
A post shared by T E N D R E (@tendrehands)
I don’t know what I love more about this mani—the pale lilac tips (like, how cute is the pastel polish for spring and summer?!) or the subtle pinup vibes I’m getting from the cherry accent nail.
💫 Re-create it with: Zoya Nail Polish in Abby
A post shared by T E N D R E (@tendrehands)
These fruity accent nails are summer mani goals. The detail work is super impressive and the colors are so juicy and vibrant. If you decide to DIY this one, be sure to seal in your artwork with a glossy top coat to prevent premature dulling and chipping.
💫 Re-create it with: OPI Nail Lacquer in Big Apple Red
Valeriya Chupinina is the beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching, writing, and editing nail design and idea stories that range from green nail ideas to lipstick nails. She’s an authority in all nail design and idea categories and regularly tests and analyzes nail polishes and tools for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top nail artists to assess new nail trends, products, and brands.