Just like any department of fashion and beauty staples, nail art is constantly developing—and quite often becomes the most underrated aspect in the beauty community. But as the beauty world continues to evolve, we see a lot more meni-pedi ideas and design come into play. 

But, from the minimalist french manicure to the glamour crystal-encrusted nails, how familiar are you with chromatic nails (also known as mirror nails)? If you aren’t familiar with the ‘’chrome nails’’ trend—it is one of the most popular and daring manicure styles, where a UV Gel is coated over the gel nail poslish. It will give you a game that can instantly transform your meni-pedi game. 

Curious? Beauty Insider has all the deets on the chrome nails trend so you can nailed your meni-pedi game!

(Source: Unsplash)

What Is Chrome Nail? 

Chrome nails—or mirror nails—are more than simply layering one or two coats of metallic nail polish. The mirror effect is created by sprinkling a chrome-look powder on top of freshly painted nails. These mirror nail powder are created with fake metal, glass-effect and pigmentation to give them their characteristic futuristic sheen. 

The result of this layering technique is a finish that seems to be a 3D reflection of light. Its effect is much softer, glitter and sparklier than the normal metallic polish. So if you’re the type that loves to make a statement, this nail style definitely suits you. You may achieve that one in a million holographic nail appearance depending on the powder you choose and how it’s been applied on your nail.

How Chrome Nails Are Made? 

You see, they don’t really use real chrome in it. Because using or adding chrome substances on occasion would be illegal. And unlike the normal gel nail polishes, chrome powder might be a little difficult to apply. It might take some time for someone to really master the art of applying chrome powders. However, chrome powders can be applied softly with a sponge applicator, or if you want the fastest result, dip your fingers straight into the powder and call it a day. No biggie

And what makes chrome nails more interesting is that you can get different effects from different pigments. Some of the most popular effects are called ‘’pearly effect’’ which gives you the colourful mermaid vibes. It was created by using small pieces of mica which was covered with pigment and merged together with holographic polyester to produce the mermaid nail look. 

Another one of the popular designs is called the cat’s eye design. For this design, they integrated into the polish rather than applied as a powder on top. Instead of using the regular nail polish, Iron oxide nail polish is applied directly onto your nails. And a coat of magnet will be placed on top of your nails to seal the elements all together. 

(Source: Unsplash)

Which Nail Shapes Are Suitable For Chrome Nail? 

When it comes to achieving the chrome nails look, the choices are infinite. To be honest, this trend compliments various nail shapes—almond, square, squoval, and endless other shapes. You don’t have to choose a specific shape but according to nail technicians or manicurists, almond shapes are the most suitable for chrome nails. 

How To DIY Chrome Nails At Home? 

We know that it’s hard to book an appointment to the nearest nail salon to get the pampering you deserve. Honestly speaking, we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, and the idea of visiting a salon and exposing ourselves to the close contact environment made us double question our intention. So why not bring the meni-pedi experience to our home, instead? We understand that sometimes it takes a village to DIY a certain beauty regime, especially when we don’t have enough skills. But hey, practice makes perfect. So, let’s begin, shall we? 

1. Buff & Prime Your The Base

As explained earlier, chrome nails are different from the regular gel nail polishes. And gel paints do no last on vibrant nails, so you must lightly buff your natural nails. You need to make sure the base is clean and polish lightly. Just like makeup, nails also require a good primer before you apply any heavy products on it. So we suggest investing in the best gel primers or gel top coats on the market. Not only they’ll help in keeping the products stuck but will also lead to healthier nails. 

2. Start Curing Under The Lamp

When doing chrome nails, you must be very persistent. Make sure you have a special effect lamp like LED or UV lamp for a better chrome nail result. After you prep and prime the base, make sure to dry your nails and cure them  by placing them under the lamp. After your nails have fully dried, then only you can begin the procedure by applying the gel polish of your choice. We suggest darker tones like black, dark brown or navy blue for a better chrome effect. After you are done, cure them again under the lamp. 

(Source: Unsplash)

3. Apply Chrome Powders

Here comes the best part. The chrome-y effect. Chrome powders are a little too hard to get. Unless you’re a certified beauty business owner, finding a perfect top quality chrome powder might be a struggle. But worry not, we still have eyeshadow glitter as an option! You can easily swap them all over your nails using a nail sculpting brush and watch your nail transforms. 

But if you managed to get your hands on a high quality chrome powder (congrats!), make sure to properly pick up the powder using an eyeshadow brush and brush it lightly on top of your nails. Try to experiment with different colours first before you choose the final colour. A good chrome powder will instantly give you that mirror effect on your nails. You will be able to see your reflections in a matter of time. 

4. Seal It Off

Like any other manicure treatment, a good gel coat is necessary to seal the products—especially for chrome nail looks. Make sure you layer your nails at the end of the session to keep them in place. For better results, dry them off (again) under the UV lights. 

The Final Verdict

Now, that you have nailed the look, you can flaunt those boujee nails around proudly. Chrome nails may not be suitable for your simple everyday look but it’s truly one for the book! If you’re new to this trend, it may look terrifying and intimidating to try but once you’re getting it on track, you won’t trade it again for your regular nail looks. 

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