How To Get Black, White, And Silver Nails

Black, white, and silver nails are a stunning way to add some edge and elegance to your manicure. These cool-toned nails are perfect for any occasion and can be customized in endless ways. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Go for a French manicure with black tips, add silver studs or striping tape, and experiment with glossy, matte, and glitter finishes on each nail for dimension.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get beautiful black, white, and silver nails. We’ll discuss the best nail polish colors and finishes to use, easy nail art techniques like ombre, tips for making your manicure last, and lots of inspiring photo examples.

Choosing the Right Nail Polish Colors

Classic Black

A timeless and elegant shade, black nail polish is a go-to for many. It looks great on nails of all lengths and shapes. Matte, glossy, or somewhere in between – the finish you choose for your black manicure can create a whole different vibe.

Black nail polish goes with everything and works for any occasion. Who can say no to the classic, cool beauty of black nails? Pair it with an all-black outfit for a monochromatic look or mix it up with some bright pops of color in your outfit – black nails are so versatile.

Stark White

White nail polish provides a clean, crisp look and pairs perfectly with bright pops of color. It creates a nice contrast against darker skin tones. A white manicure looks great year-round, but is especially fitting for spring and summer. White is a great neutral shade that compliments any skin tone.

It makes nail beds appear longer and fingers look more slender. Be sure to apply a ridge filling base coat first for an ultra-smooth application. Using a wider brush specifically designed for applying polish to the nail bed can help avoid streaks.

Go for a glossy finish for that fresh white manicure look.

Shimmering Silver

A silver nail polish with a hint of shimmer provides a glamorous look. The versatility of silver allows it to be worn for any occasion, day or night. Silver nails pair nicely with other metallic jewelry and accessories. There are so many options when it comes to silver nail polishes.

Holographic silver provides unique flashes of light. A sheer silver polish with subtle shimmer can create a more understated metallic look. Or go bold with a highly pigmented chrome silver polish. An accent nail with silver glitter polish is a fun way to add some shine and sparkle.

Silver nails are a great way to spruce up your typical nudes and neutrals.

Sheer Neutrals

Sheer neutrals like beige, pale pink, and light grey work beautifully on nails. These soft, muted tones are elegant and understated. They are easier to apply evenly than highly pigmented polishes. Sheer neutrals complement most skin tones and are appropriate for any occasion, day or night.

They are polished enough for the office but still fun enough for the weekend. These colors look beautiful on both short and long nail lengths. Try alternating nails with a sheer neutral tone and your favorite bright color for a fun twist.

Or layer glitter on top of a neutral base for some extra sparkle. Sheer neutrals are great go-to’s when you want something simple but still put together.

Nail Finishes and Textures to Try

Matte

Matte nail polish has become a huge trend in recent years. This finish has a completely flat look, without any shine or shimmer. Matte manicures make nail art really pop since the color is solid and muted. This texture also helps hide imperfections in the nail surface.

Some popular matte shade options are black, navy, burgundy, and nude. Matte topcoats can also be used to turn any polish into a matte texture. According to surveys, over 60% of women prefer matte nails for fall and winter looks.

Glossy

The glossy nail look provides an eye-catching shine. This finish reflects light for a wet, glossy appearance. It makes nails look healthy and well-manicured. Glossy polish can be achieved through regular nail lacquer or long-lasting gel polish.

An extra coat of top coat helps maximize the glossy effect. Glossy nails pair well with any outfit and brighten up bare nails. They are great for both short and long nail lengths. According to nail artists, the most popular glossy shades are reds, pinks, and neutrals like sheer pink.

Metallic

Metallic nail polishes add a high-shine, shimmery look to nails. They contain tiny flecks of metal or glitter that catch the light. Depending on the finish, they can have a chrome-like mirror effect or be more subtle. Metallic shades are fun and eye-catching for night out looks.

At the same time, they can also look chic and elegant for formal events. Some of the most popular metallics are rose gold, bronze, silver, and gunmetal gray. According to surveys, metallic nails are a top trend for prom and holiday parties. Nail art with metallic accents is also popular.

Holographic

Holographic nail polish has become a huge Instagram trend. These polishes contain prismatic particles that create a rainbow reflect. Depending on the lighting and angle, different colors will flash. This cool effect makes nails look like a hologram!

Holographic polish can be worn alone or used as a topcoat to give any mani an iridescent finish. Some of the most popular holo shades are purples, blues and hot pinks. According to nail artists, holographic nails are fun for music festivals, concerts, and summer looks.

Nail Art Techniques

French Manicure Tips

The classic French manicure is one of the most popular nail looks. To achieve this elegant style at home, start by applying a sheer pale pink or nude base coat to all nails. Then use a makeup sponge or striping brush dipped in white acrylic paint to create a straight white tip on each nail, leaving a sliver of your natural nail showing at the base.

Top it off with a clear glossy topcoat to seal in the design. The finished mani will have a clean, refined look that complements any outfit (Nailsmag).

Negative Space

Negative space nail art relies on bare sections of the nail to create cool geometric or nature-inspired designs. First paint your nails with a neutral base color like black, white, or nude. Let it dry fully before using a small brush to paint stripes, zigzags, flowers or other shapes on one or two nails, leaving plenty of blank space for a minimalist look.

The negative space makes the motif really stand out. add dimension by choosing a metallic polish for the motif. This trendy technique lets your creativity shine through (Allure).

Striping Tape

Striping tape makes painting perfect nail stripes a breeze. Apply a base coat first. Then stick strips of striping tape diagonally, vertically, or horizontally onto the nails. Paint 1-2 coats of polish over the tape. While still wet, carefully peel off the tape to reveal super straight stripes below.

For a bold accent nail, use striping tape to divide sections and paint each one a different color. Add topcoat to get it chip-resistant. Striping tape nail art styles range from simple and sleek to funky and bold (Popsugar).

Ombre

The ombre look blends two or more polish shades for a gorgeous faded effect. There are a few easy techniques to achieve this at home. Sponging shades from dark to light using makeup wedges gives a soft look.

You can also paint on two colors and use a toothpick to gently stir them into each other while the polish is still wet. For precision, put drops of different polishes next to each other on a makeup sponge and lightly dab onto the nail so the colors bleed together seamlessly.

An ombre manicure makes your nails look professionally done (Instyle).

Making Your Manicure Last

Prep Your Nails

Preparing your nails properly before applying polish is crucial for getting your manicure to last. Start by filing and shaping your nails into your desired shape. Use a nail file to gently smooth out any ridges or rough edges.

Apply cuticle oil and gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher to tidy up your nail beds. Finish prepping by using nail polish remover to remove any oils or residue so the polish adheres properly.

Use a Base Coat

Applying a base coat creates a smooth foundation for polish and prevents staining of your natural nails. Base coats fill in imperfections in the nail surface to create an even canvas. Popular base coats like Orly Bonder or Essie Here to Stay work to adhere polish and are a must for long-lasting manicures.

Allow your base coat to dry fully before moving onto colored polish.

Apply Thin Layers

The key to avoiding chips and smudges is to apply multiple thin layers of polish rather than one thick glob. Wait 2-3 minutes between finely applied coats to allow proper drying time. Rushing this step causes bubbling and dries with a gummy texture prone to peeling.

Three smooth layers give full coverage and that salon-perfect finish. ☺️

Finish with Top Coat

High shine top coats create a protective barrier over nail polish to lock in color and provide a smooth finish. They prevent chipping by reinforcing the manicure. Quick-dry top coats like Essie Good to Go dry fast to get you out the door in minutes.

For extended wear, try long-lasting top coats like Orly In a Snap that lasts over a week!

Avoid Chipping

Once your perfect manicure is complete, allow it to dry thoroughly before using your hands to prevent smudging. Try to avoid submerging nails in water when washing dishes or showering. Wear gloves when cleaning or gardening to avoid chipping.

Bring nail polish with you to touch up any small chips as soon as they occur. Avoid peeling or picking at your polish as this can pull it off faster. Follow these tips and your beautiful black, white and silver nails can last 7-10 days!

Inspiring Black, White, and Silver Nail Designs

French Manicure with Black Tips

The classic French manicure gets an edgy update with black tips instead of white. Use a sheer nude polish as the base color on your nails, then paint just the tips of each nail with a glossy black polish. The contrast between the neutral base and bold black tips is super chic.

You can keep the rest of your look minimal to really let the black-tipped nails pop.

Glossy Black Accent Nail

Want to dip your toes into the black nail trend without going full-on Goth? Try painting just one nail on each hand with a rich black polish. Keep the rest of your nails bare or painted a soft, neutral shade. The single black accent nail adds a subtle touch of drama and edge.

Use a super glossy black lacquer so your dark nail really stands out.

Matte White with Silver Studs

White nails are totally on trend, and giving them a matte finish adds some edge. After painting your nails with a white matte polish, stud a few of your nails with silver studs or rhinestones. Concentrate the studs on one or two nails on each hand, or sprinkle them randomly across multiple nails.

The metallic studs add shine and dimension to the muted white matte.

Ombre Black to Silver

Ombre nails are a fun way to mix colors, and the black to silver combo is striking. Start by painting your nails black at the base, and use a makeup sponge to blend the black up into a shimmery silver polish toward the tip. The fade between the two color intensities creates a cool ombre effect.

Finish with a glossy clear top coat to smooth everything out.

Holographic Silver Striping Tape

Silver striping tape instantly takes any mani to a whole new level. After applying a neutral base color, place strips of holographic silver striping tape on your nails in different patterns. Try chevron, vertical, horizontal, or diagonal designs.

Finish with a glossy clear top coat to smooth and seal the tape.

Sheer Neutrals and Glossy Black

You can get the best of both worlds by combining soft neutrals and bold black on one mani. Paint a majority of your nails with a light sheer polish in a nude, white, or silver shade. Then paint one or two accent nails on each hand in a deep black.

The contrast between the soft neutrals and intense black is striking and so stylish.

Conclusion

Black, white, and silver nails are a versatile manicure option that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Have fun playing with different polish textures like matte, glossy, and metallic. Add visual interest with easy nail art techniques like ombre, striping tape, silver studs, and negative space.

Your nails will look like a chic work of art with the right color combinations and finishes. Just be sure to properly prep and care for your manicure so it lasts as long as possible without chipping. Get creative with your nails and enjoy the edgy, elegant style of black, white and silver!