Ciao ciao!
I am completely obsessed with chrome nails and how cool and different they look, so I knew I needed to figure out how to do this one at home myself! If you’ve already mastered gel nails at home, chrome is a little more high maintenance of a DIY project, but definitely possible when you know a few tricks.
You can visit my full, comprehensive post on doing gel nails at home for more general information, but in this post I’m walking you guys through the particularities of applying the chrome powder and how to do it as cleanly as possible.
First of all, you will need to purchase the chrome powder, which is available in a number of colors. I went with this silver chrome color, which I found on Amazon for about $10.00 (!). The gel polishes you will need are the base coat, a black color, and a topcoat. You will also need a UV lamp like mine here.
First, apply the base coat and cure in the lamp for 60 seconds for each hand.
Next apply one coat of your black color to the entire nail and cure again for 60 seconds. Follow up with your clear coat, and cure again for 60 seconds. Be sure in each of these steps that you are covering all the tiny crevices of the nail.
It’s necessary that all these steps be completed prior to applying the powder, or it won’t stick or last well. After you apply the top coat, you are ready for the chrome powder and you will need an eyeshadow applicator to apply it. All you do is dip the applicator in the powder to pack some on, and start from the top of the nail, rubbing side to side or in small circles until the powder starts to blend in. Move down the nail making sure to cover all side areas and the tip of each nail. Anything that you don’t cover thoroughly in powder will show through as the black color beneath. (I made many messy mistakes before discovering this.)
Now, note that this glitter gets absolutely everywhere. It’s definitely a mess, but it washes off your skin after. Just make sure you don’t cram it into the cuticle to the point where you can’t see where the line is because you will need to seal it all in with another coat of top coat and you don’t want to go over the line and make a mess. After you rub in the powder, take a fluffy brush and just brush over each nail lightly to get excess glitter off. You don’t want it clumping under the top coat.
Apply a thin layer of top coat and be sure to cover all of your nail. Cure in the lamp for 60 seconds.
Wipe over each nail with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol and voila!
I think I may have to experiment with other chrome colors now… what do you guys think of this look??
A presto,
Amanda xo
I love this look! Is at-home gel as hard to remove as salon manicures? xx.
Author
Thank you! It’s the same polish that they use in the salon so it does need to be soaked off. But so many nail technicians don’t know how to properly remove polish without harming your cuticle/skin and natural nail. I trust myself more to remove it safely but it does take a few minutes to soak.
Okay, cool! I’m the same way with my eyebrows haha. I don’t trust anyone else but myself! xx.
Author
me too! better to just learn all that yourself haha 🙂
OMG!!! This looks amazing!!! 😍
Author
Thank you! Not so difficult, you should try it! 🙂
Amazing! I love it! Sharing.
Author
Aww thank youuu! <3
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Author
Thank you so much! 🙂
Very cool!! I’d love to try, but don’t own a UV light & I know those can be very expensive. LOL!! But your nails look fabulous!! ♥
Author
Thank you so much! The UV light that I bought and linked in the post was about $20 and works wonderfully. 🙂
Really? That’s not bad at all!! 👍🏻👍🏻💗
Author
Yes, you can get smaller ones like mine that are 20-30 and are safe and work great!
This looks amazing!
Author
Thank you so much! 😊
Great post, definitely need to try this x
A Blushing Beauty Blog
Author
Thank you! It’s definitely doable at home and much cheaper than in the salon!
Very nice 🙂 I wear silver-coloured nail polish often (also on the toes), and it’s one of my favourites.
Author
Thank you! Yeah I think it looks different and goes with everything 🙂
You’re very welcome 🙂 Maybe you’ll want to look at these feet and sandals from my sis’s archives (no spam here!: she was a model and liked a lot these metallic polishes -just this, and I do think Ari’s taste was exquisite: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4e/01/06/4e010688a6d4a83bee3669240ead5f3d.jpg
I use this at home when I can’t afford/can’t be bothered to go to the nail salon – I love it! I find that if you use different base coats under different chrome colours (I have 5) it gives a slight tint to the chrome which looks amazing! xx
Author
Omg I’m happy you mentioned that, I wanted to try using different base coat colors to see what happens! The whole thing is definitely overpriced at the salon!
Try it! I would love to know what you think!
I love the aesthetic of your blog! You are doing a great job:)
Author
Oh thank you so much! 🙂
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https://kanisview.wordpress.com/2017/05/14/mystery-blogger-award/
Author
Oh thank you so much!! <3
Beautiful! I need to learn how to do this at home!
Author
Yeah! It’s not too difficult if you’re already good at painting your own nails!
This is great1
Author
Thank you!
Lovely nails! Need to try this myself!
Author
Thank you so much! 🙂
I absolutely adore chrome nails! I experimented a little with some chrome powders, applying different one on each nail and the result was stunning.
When I’m working with chrome powders I apply some liquid latex around nails to protect my skin.
Author
That’s a great idea, it definitely gets messy. That powder gets everywhere. I want to play more too with the colors I put underneath the powder and see what effects they have!