These metallic chrome nails look different in every light
Chrome nails are everywhere. They first came to our attention when Natalie Minerva, the nail artist behind teen hit show Euphoria, put them on the map by creating an XXL pink and copper chrome nail design for the character Maddy.
Then Hailey Bieber popularised glazed donut nails – a nude chrome iteration created by her long-time nail artist Zola Ganzorigt– and chrome nails officially went viral.
So what exactly are chrome nails? For the uninitiated, chrome can be applied to the whole nail to form a high-sheen block of colour or as 3D appliqués. What sets chrome nails apart from other shimmery polishes is that they literally make the nail look as if it's been dipped in liquid metal or molten gold.
Meanwhile, "chrome accents are a huge hit at the moment, especially against a neutral or contrasting base" celebrity nail manicurist, Michelle Humphrey, told us. "Think French, squiggles, stars, hearts, flames and ombre," she added.
Celebrity chrome nail inspo
Celebrities have been fuelling the chrome nail trend on the red carpet. You only need to look to Vanessa Hudgens' ‘laser effect’ chrome nail for inspiration. Her manicurist, Zola Ganzgorgit used a shimmering lilac base coat and gold chrome flames to ensure it reflected light every time Vanessa moved her hands.
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Another fan of metallic chrome nails is Dua Lipa, who has rocked everything from an opulent gold mani (her nail artist, KimKim, let slip that she started with a black base coat, using OPI's pro colour, Black Onyx, layered-up with the brand's Chrome Effects Mirror Shine in ‘Gold Digger') to titanium chrome nails.
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Likewise, Zendaya's nail artist, Lisa Kon, gave us a masterclass in how to match silver chrome nails to a sequinned skirt.
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While Megan Fox has been seen with gunmetal coloured swirls on top of a clear base with black accents to create a raised effect.
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How to do chrome nails at home
The good news, is it's not necessarily that difficult to create a chrome finish. In a salon, chrome nails are created by rubbing a powder made of fine metals, glass and pigment over your nail polish, using a spongey eyeshadow brush, until a holographic effect occurs.
While the powders come in different colours, the shade of final product will come from the nail varnish painted underneath.
But for an easy way to try the trend yourself, some of our favourite nail brands have been innovating to bring us chrome finishes that we can swipe on in the same way as regular nail polish to give a molten finish in a single coat.
Top tip: The super-shiny effect is show-stopping when applied as a full manicure, or it can be used on just one or two nails as a feature.
