If you look back in time, every decade has been dominated by one core manicure. In the early 2000s, the classic white-tipped french manicure reigned supreme; in the 2010s, it was everything holographic and mirrored. Now, in the 2020s, we’re seeing a fusion of those two trends with the chrome french manicure.
In general, chrome nails have been trending for the last few years, and there’s no sign of love for the look slowing down. The reflective nail-polish color has graced the fingertips of stars like Zendaya, Dua Lipa, Halle Bailey, and of course, Hailey Bieber. Chrome french nails simply combine two viral nail looks into one manicure for a super-on-trend, Instagram-worthy look.
“Chrome is having a moment in fashion right now, with glam goth and futuristic, sci-fi-influenced fashion all featuring a ton of reflective silver,” Brittney Boyce, celebrity nail artist and founder of Nails of LA, tells PS. “That, of course, translates to nails. Chrome french tip nails, in particular, add this edginess to a very feminine, soft, and classic nail look.”
This nail look can be done with a variety of colors — you’re not just limited to the standard silver and gold — and combined with other nail-art trends, too. This summer, get ready to see chrome french manicures everywhere as more people hop on board the nail trend. For inspiration to take with you to the nail salon, keep scrolling.
Hot-Pink Chrome French Manicure
Whether you’re still not totally over the “Barbie” movie, or your favorite color just happens to be pink, a hot-pink chrome french manicure is a great way to express yourself. This one is shown on long, oval-shaped nails.
Gold Chrome French Manicure
If you want to be “good as gold” à la Scheana Shay, why not do it with your manicure? This simple twist on the classic french manicure is the perfect choice, especially if you’re always wearing gold jewelry.
Holographic Chrome French Manicure
Chrome is already an eye-catching look, but if you opt for holographic chrome, prepare to stop traffic. This example features a matte base.
Green Chrome French Manicure
Green is always a good idea, but when Dua Lipa endorses it, we’re ready to book a nail appointment ASAP. Her long square nails are going on our Pinterest boards ASAP.
Stiletto Chrome French Manicure
We’ve seen a lot of chrome french manicures on almond or oval nails, but the trend looks great on all different shapes and lengths. One of our favorites is stiletto nails for a serious “wow” factor.
Chrome French Manicure With Nail Art
Although a chrome french manicure is a show-stopper on its own, when you add nal art you can really step things up a notch. Beyoncé’s manicure, shown here, is the perfect example.
Classic Chrome French Manicure
If you still want your manicure to look classic, we’d suggest getting a french manicure with white tips and adding a very light layer of chrome on the top. This looks great, as shown here on almond-shaped nails.
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Blue Baby French Chrome Manicure
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— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez
Jessica Harrington is the senior beauty editor at PS, where she writes about hair, makeup, skin care, piercings, tattoos, and more. As a New York City-based writer and editor with a degree in journalism and over eight years of industry experience, she loves to interview industry experts, keep up with the latest trends, and test new products.
Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for POPSUGAR’s TikTok and Instagram accounts.
