Methods, kits and structures are disclosed for providing a desired protective and/or visual effect to natural or artificial nails. One method comprises applying a base coat to at least part of an outer surface of the nail substrate； providing a flexible support having disposed, on a surface thereof, a monolayer of metallic-looking particles of at least one metallic-looking pigment； and transferring the monolayer from the flexible support to an outer surface of the applied base coat, so as to form a coat of metallic looking particles on the nail substrate.
