The topic of gilded glamour has assuredly made its way into the beauty sphere, with metallic talons being a surefire solution to achieving the desired aesthetic. Initial interest in chrome nails sparked off after multiple renditions of the trend were spotted on Euphoria’s Maddy in the hit HBO drama. The cool-girl alternative to a classic manicure has since gained traction—spotted on the likes of all the It-girls, from Bella Hadid and Zendaya to Vogue Singapore’s cover star Rina Sawayama and Blackpink member Lisa.
For the uninitiated, chrome nails are characterised by shiny, reflective tips, commonly imbued with a futuristic feel. Immediately noticeable when worn on one’s talons, the look is usually accompanied by a sharp, angular nail shape; like a fierce finishing touch to one’s outfit. Whilst silver, gold and brassy tones rule the roost due to its metallic nature, extraterrestrial renditions of it have also unveiled themselves via 3D-embellishments or eclectic textures that lend it a transformative quality. Elsewhere on the likes of pop star Dua Lipa, it has also been combined with the French mani style as a playful alternative to the trend.
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Unlike certain gravity-defying manicure moments that might take up a significant amount of time to accomplish, these nails can be instantly achieved by brushing a powder or varnish that produces the chrome effect, over your nail polish. These holographic powders or varnishes have increasingly been made more accessible—be it at the salons or over-the-counter options—ensuring the ease of a mirror-esque transformation of your claws. Press-on options, have also been making a case for themselves, should a quick fix be of appeal to you. Read on to glean our edit of awe-inspiring chrome nail moments to peruse before your next nail appointment.
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Chrome and lime
Lean fully into the futuristic aesthetic with the cool, metallic hues of every sci-fi flick.
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Crank up the shine
Bold and magnetic—just like Lizzo herself. The singer opted for a high-shine silver finish on her extended talons.
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Fun and funky
A clean, sleek swathe of shine might prove a tad too fierce for some. Look to Rita Ora’s rendition: where she chooses to imbue a child-like charm to her nails with butterfly motifs instead.
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French mani alternative
Keep it minimal by limiting your metal to just the tips of your talons alone—French mani-style.
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Blended tones
The metallic look doesn’t have to be limited to just the classic colours; here, a blend of serpent green and glossy pink meld together to produce a high-octane effect.
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Abstract embellishments
Ethereal embellishments such as water droplets go right in line with the futuristic tone of a chrome look.
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Chrome on chrome
Double the power of your chrome claws and opt for a two-tone option. Get your nail artist to get creative with blending the colours together for an understated shine.
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Mixed metals
Keep it simple yet interesting by using another metallic hue to line just the very tip of your nails—for a sleek, classic finish.
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Mono-chrome
Perhaps your metallic moment just might stand out more if you were to contrast it against a dark, muted palette—like @socialclaws does it here.
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Brutalist mode
If you’re looking to amp up on the edge, lean into the silver metallic hue and imbue it with a 3D texture for a raw, incomplete finish.
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Swirl it up
Alternatively, opt for a partial chrome moment instead via an abstract, artful design of swirls or streaks across the top layer.
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Disco funk
What else is metallic in nature, reflective and purely for aesthetic purposes? A disco ball. Opt for @natalieminervanails playful rendition of the disco ball—adapted for a textural effect on her tips instead.
