Enhance a pink matte manicure with a black and silver accent nail

When it comes to a work-appropriate style, neutral nails tend to rule the roost. Matte nails blend right into most environments, but if it’s time to shake up your manicure routine, then adding a bold accent nail will do the trick. There’s nothing more striking than a single black nail, but including a decorative element will really make it pop.

This tutorial shows how to turn a glossy black accent nail into something wildly unexpected. Metallic transfer foil is usually placed on the nail in patches, but this wispy look comes from folding the foil over and over before pressing it against the nail. The creased foil creates a completely different look and makes a great base for a special nail accent.

Materials
- Matte pink gel nail polish
- UV or LED lamp (not shown)
- Black gel nail polish
- Silver metallic transfer film
- Nail gems
- Builder nail gel
- Wooden toothpick
- Nail accents
- Nail tweezers
- Clear gel top coat

Instructions
1. Apply two coats of matte pink gel polish to the nails, and paint one fingernail black, then cure with the UV or LED lamp.

2. Fold a square of metallic transfer film repeatedly, then unfold it. The surface should have several crease marks on it. Now, press the film against the black nail several times.

3. Apply builder nail gel to the black and silver nail with a wooden toothpick, then pick up one of the nail gems with the tweezers, and press it into the gel. Add more gems or additional accents as desired.

4. Brush a layer of clear gel top coat onto the black nail and around the base of the nail accents, then cure your nails with the UV or LED lamp.

Stay pretty!