A base coat nail enamel composition that forms a decorative color effect over natural or synthetic nails. The base coat nail enamel composition includes at least one dye in a sufficient amount, such that when a clear, tinted or pigmented top coat nail enamel composition is formed thereon, the combined base and top coat nail enamel compositions will exhibit a decorative effect by virtue of forming a different color than either the color of the base nail enamel composition or the top coat nail enamel composition.
