Frenemies Nail Polish: How to Style a Two-Tone Manicure
By Lights Lacquer | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: Product Reviews
Learn how to wear Frenemies nail polish in a two-tone manicure. Build a sheer black jelly base, add a contrasting accent, and get a bold look at home.
Quick answer
To style Frenemies in a two-tone manicure, use it as the sheer black base and pair it with a bold, opaque accent color on one or two nails. Build Frenemies in thin coats until you reach your desired depth, then finish with a glossy top coat.
Why Frenemies works as a two-tone base
Frenemies is a black sheer polish with a jelly finish, which means it goes on translucent and buildable. That makes it ideal for a two-tone look: you can keep it sheer for a subtle wash of color or layer it for more intensity, while the accent shade provides contrast. Because jelly polishes are meant to be transparent, expect to use more coats than you would with a creme polish.
Choosing an accent color
A two-tone manicure relies on contrast. Since Frenemies is black and sheer, pair it with a shade that is noticeably lighter or more saturated—think a bright red, a soft pink, or a metallic. Avoid pairing it with another sheer or very dark polish, as the two-tone effect will be lost. If you want a subtler look, use the accent on just one nail per hand.
Step-by-step two-tone manicure with Frenemies
- Prep and base coat: Start with clean, dry nails. Apply a base coat to all nails and let it dry completely. This protects your nails and helps the polish adhere. Skipping base coat can cause staining, especially with dark polishes.
- Apply Frenemies to most nails: Apply a thin coat of Frenemies to all nails except the ones you plan to accent. Let it dry for a few minutes, then add additional thin coats until you reach your desired opacity. Two to three coats usually give a sheer black look; more coats deepen the color. Applying thick coats can cause streaking and slow drying; always use thin layers.
- Add the accent color: On your chosen accent nails, apply two coats of your contrasting polish, or use a makeup sponge for a gradient effect. If you prefer, you can also apply the accent color over the Frenemies base for a layered look. Test the accent color on a swatch first to ensure it complements the sheer black.
- Clean up and top coat: Use a small brush dipped in remover to clean up any polish around the cuticles. Then apply a glossy top coat to all nails to seal the design and add shine. A top coat not only adds gloss but also helps prevent chipping and smooths out any ridges.
Product facts
- Frenemies: A black sheer polish with a jelly finish. The jelly finish lets you control the intensity, so you can keep the base sheer or build it up for a bolder two-tone effect.
Frenemies
