It might seem like neutral shades are taking over every finger and toe in Hollywood, but mark my words: fall 2025 is going to see a chrome manicure renaissance. "Chrome nails are such a timeless look and never go out of style," Zola Ganzorigt, a celebrity nail artist and OPI Global Ambassador who is responsible for launching glazed nails into superstardom, tells Marie Claire. "It’s a great way to elevate your nail look, and gives the nail dimension. It can be applied to any nail color and completely transforms the way the shade appears."
Erica De Los Santos, a celebrity nail artist and founder of Nail'd It Beauty Lounge, thinks chrome nails have held onto their popularity because they're a chameleon in the nail world. "The mirrored finish is striking yet incredibly adaptable—you can layer it over any base color to create endless variations, from soft and subtle pearl effects to bold, high-shine metallics," she says. "Like velvet nails, they’re timeless in the sense that they don’t feel tied to a single season or trend cycle." Plus, they work year-round, transition seamlessly from casual to glam, and photograph beautifully, which helps keep them circulating on social media.
But this season, the classics (like pink and butter yellow nails) are taking a backseat in favor of muted, sheer chromes for a minimalist look, or experimentalist textures and patterns layered in for more depth.
Keep reading to discover 23 brilliant chrome manicure ideas, insight into the looks from celebrity manicurists, and which products to shop to recreate the styles yourself.
Classic Glazed Chrome
Ganzorigt truly changed the manicure game when she gave Hailey Bieber her first glazed donut manicure in 2022. The design spurred a chrome powder frenzy, making the reflective finish so, so hard to find. For this specific look, Ganzorigt used an OPI Gel setup featuring a base coat, GelColor in Bare My Soul, Chrome Effects in Tin Man Can, and GelColor Stay Shiny Top Coat.
According to the artist, she finds inspiration in collaborating with her clients. "I’ll chat with them to understand their vision, color preference, and then design the nail look that reflects their mood and style," she tells Marie Claire.
Toffee Glazed Chrome
For this look, London-based natural nail artist Corrinna Bianca used Toffee BIAB base from The Gel Bottle and a chrome powder.
Ganzorigt's best advice for getting the chrome look at home, though? "It’s better to start with chrome-looking nail polishes such as metallic nail polishes," she says. While chrome powders are definitely possible to master at home, they work much, much better with a gel setup than layered over regular polish. Unless you're heading to the salon, consider keeping things simple with press-ons or a shiny polish.
Bridal Chrome
Another at-home suggestion from Ganzorigt is OPI's Kyoto Pearl nail polish, which she says looks similar to the chrome version. The shimmery white polish would be perfect for a bridal look—or for matching with your favorite pearl earrings.
Isolated Chrome
"Chrome can be incorporated into a manicure in so many fun and unexpected ways. You can go for isolated chrome accents—like highlighting just the tips, moons, or specific nail art elements—to create dimension without overwhelming the look," De Los Santos says. "Textured chromes are another option, layering the powder over 3D designs, embossed patterns, or velvet nails for a tactile twist."
The artist created this manicure as a perfect testament to her textured and isolated chrome recommendations. How fun are those shiny pink swoops?
Chrome Cuffs
For the lightest touch of chrome, grab a detailing brush and add a tiny line of your favorite silver polish right next to the cuticle. It's not as dramatic as a chrome French manicure (we'll get to that!), or even a reverse negative space French tip.
"Full-coverage chrome nails deliver that classic, high-shine statement, but you can also experiment with ombré chrome fades, chrome outlines on a matte base, or negative space chrome art for a modern edge," De Los Santos adds. "Even pairing chrome with French tips, abstract swirls, or geometric shapes can give your mani a unique, fashion-forward feel."
Broken Pottery Chrome
This tie-dye aura manicure is topped with streaks of chrome for a kintsugi effect—as if the mani cracked and was repaired with solid gold (or, in this case, silver) for a better-than-it-started setup.
Holographic Chrome
Another less-than-simple approach to a chrome manicure is to up the ante with a holographic finish. For this look, nail artist Nicole Ellen Lawrence used The Gel Bottle chrome pigment in ‘Prism’ over a light pink builder gel. A holographic set of press-on nails or a dynamic pink polish would also get you there.
Cat-Eye Chrome
One of Marie Claire's favorite 2025 nail trends, cat-eye nails utilize a magnet and magnetic polish to craft a reflective, dimensional pattern—similar to what you might see staring into a cat's eye. This shimmery green chrome style is especially mesmerizing.
Mirror Chrome
If you're looking for a manicure you could apply your makeup in, look no further than this mirrored design by Iram Shelton. "Love that I can see my reflection in them," she wrote when she showed them off via Instagram for the first time. P.S.—It's a look Vanessa Hudgens loves, too.
Chrome French Manicure
As promised, it's now time for the French manicure section of our chrome nail ideas program. We'll start off strong with a simple set of glazed chrome French tips. With their nude base and milky rounded almond tips, this look brings a modern, sleek twist to the classic nail design.
In fact, the French chrome tip is celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein's very favorite chrome design. "There’s a couple ways to do it, but it has to be done with gel. There’s a matte gel that allows your chrome not to stick," she explains. "You can use a light buffer to buff the gel or use a matte gel polish, but they’re not all equal." The artist's favorite matte gel is Chaun Legend Matte Gel Polish, because it works to isolate the chrome. She also loves the brand's non-wipe top coat, which you use after the nail is matte. "Create your French line or your design, isolated with a non-wipe top coat," she adds. Then use your chrome color of choice.
Hibiscus Chrome
According to Gerstein, an isolated chrome design is one of the top chrome techniques. While her favorite way of using it is with a French tip, she also gravitates toward this tropical hibiscus manicure.
"Isolate chrome means separating a matte base so you have a backdrop. You want to make sure that your base is matte so that it cannot collect the chrome when you rub it on," the artist explains. "By creating a matte palette, you can draw your design and the chrome will stick to the design and not the backdrop."
Icy French Tips
"The glazed look is here to stay, and doing it just on the tips keeps it clean but still gives that cool, reflective vibe with various colored chromes of choice," nail artist Queenie Nguyen previously told Marie Claire. "You can also use a white chrome powder as a topper over colored French tips for that fun glazed nail look over the whole nail."
Lemon Tips
For a more understated, but still very Bieber-esque, chrome nail look, try incorporating a touch of lemon drop yellow with some micro French tips.
Studded Chrome
Another Shelton design, these fun Frenchies flip the script with classic white tips and a glazed base. And yet, those tiny pearls and rhinestones are what really sell the look.
You can stay simple or go bigger with the bedazzlement and glue gems all over your chrome manicure to amp up its light reflection capability.
3D Chrome Nail Art
These gold and silver 3D chrome rings on a nude base offer such a funky take on the trend—as would any textured chrome nail art. You'd better start honing your builder gel skills, if only for the jewelry matching possibilities.
Chrome Hearts
Bianca also created this design, which highlights nude polish and the sweetest little chrome hearts. You could easily get the look by painting on hearts with your favorite silver polish, or grab some nail stickers if you don't think your hand will be steady enough.
Pastel Chrome
Pastel chrome nails started trending this spring (surprise surprise!). A take on glazed donut nails, they utilize soft pastel colors for a base with chrome powder on top for that magical frosted finish. You can make every nail a different color or stick to one shade for a more uniform approach.
Purple Chrome
Behold: a manicure fit for the Prince. While the classic nude or baby pink chrome shades will always be popular, why not try something a little different for your next look with a purple chrome? You'll be surprised at how much in your closet goes well with the deep, royal shade, which has been trending throughout 2025.
Or maybe go a little lighter and try a lavender or lilac hue? "While nothing compares to using a chrome [powder], there are some polishes that deliver a chrome look. Lavender chrome is trending right now and Mineral Fusion Lilac It Hot is perfect for pulling off the look," Gerstein says. The formula is also vegan and 16-formula free (free of harmful chemicals), making it an excellent pick for those looking for a more eco-conscious choice with high performance.
Dew Drop Chrome
Never let someone rain on your parade. If they offer to add some dew drops to your chrome manicure, though? That's perfectly acceptable. This fabulous design by nail artist Jaime Huynh pays tribute to a dewy spider web she spotted at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Vacation Chrome
Ganzorigt created this manicure for Kylie Jenner to wear on vacation. The gradient design is fun on its own, but the shimmery chrome finish turns each nail into a treasure you might find far, far away. (Where is this rocky beach?! I'd like to visit, too.)
"We played with color and chrome orders and made every nail different using one coat of base color and added similar color effect chrome powder on top," shared the artist in a tutorial.
Green Chrome
Yeah, I'm green with envy—of this fresh, herbaceous-toned manicure. Huynh crafted these nails with two green chrome tones: one really leans into the shine while the other sticks with an understated glazed look.
Gradient Chrome
Though simple at first glance, this pretty ombré nail design is fairly involved. If you're not seeing a professional, your best bet to replicate the design is a set of press ons. Luckily, there are some great ones out there.
Brown Chrome
A little less out there than purple or green (brown is a neutral!) but still fun, a chocolate brown chrome manicure couldn't be better suited for fall. After going in for your old money brunette hair appointment, run to the nail salon and make sure they don't skimp on the powder application.
How Do I Make a Chrome Manicure Last?
Gerstein says that the lasting power of chrome depends whether you’re doing an isolated chrome look or chroming the entire nail. And we're talking powder here, not polish.
"There’s a big trick to not getting it to chip," she explains. "It’s a powder used on top of a base, so when you seal it the base doesn’t stick to the powder. After I chrome, I buff up the underneath of the nail so when I seal it it will stick. Once I’ve roughed the edge up I’ll go back and lightly, sparingly use a base coat." And there you have it. A very thin layer of base coat to start and top coat to finish will "encase the chrome so it doesn’t chip."
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