50 mirror manicure design ideas

Shiny, well-groomed nails are an eternal manicure classic. Even if sand, velvet, matte or any other textures are in fashion, exquisite gloss does not lose popularity, because it resembles either the shimmer of precious stones or the shine of precious metals. Cosmetic companies create varnishes with mother-of-pearl, sparkles, and glitter, but mirror manicure is considered the peak of perfection in this direction. It looks very stylish and even futuristic - your fingertips look as if they are covered with molten steel. It may seem like this effect is difficult to achieve, but in reality this type of nail design is one of the easiest to perform.

Mirror manicure

Mirror coating has become one of the most extraordinary discoveries in the world of nail design. This manicure is amazing in the number of designs and techniques.

The mirror tone coating will never go unnoticed. It looks great in any design and matches any style of clothing, making it universal. Of course, the leading positions are occupied by silver and gold coating. But by experimenting with other colors, you will also be satisfied.

Stylish French jacket with rubbing

French in the classic version is made in two shades - peach and white. The smile line is drawn in accordance with the natural shape of the free edge of the nail. Any nail artist should be able to do a classic French manicure; this is the basis and the most universal design.

The first French manicure was performed in 1930 for models participating in a fashion show in France, hence the name. Its creator is the founder of the world famous company for the production of nail products ORLY.

In the traditional white and beige combination, the French jacket looks quite simple and even somewhat boring. Although it is precisely these qualities that make it universal, suitable for a formal suit and evening dress, jeans and a sweater, or a light summer sundress. And it is precisely this simplicity of design that allows you to complement the jacket with various decor.

There are many options for performing a French manicure with rubbing. Here are the most popular ones:

the powder can be rubbed on top of a classic French manicure, this will soften the transition from the main part of the nail to the free edge;
the decor can be used on 1 – 2 nails, in this case a mirror or holographic rub will look better;
you can rub it on the tips of your nails, creating an imitation of a French manicure;
You can make a colored jacket, and use gel polish of the same shade as the tips of your nails as a base for rubbing.

Mirror manicure techniques

There are many techniques, but they are not difficult to perform. By doing it at home, you can get results no worse than in the salon. Therefore, choose the one you like.

Varnishes and gel polishes

Varnishes and gel polishes with a mirror effect do not have such a reflective effect. But its advantages are that it is easy to apply and does not require additions. The advantages of this coating are its many shades. This technique will look good on short and medium-length nails.

Reflective film and foil

Reflective film will help you create a mirror manicure even at home. Before applying it, it is recommended to paint your nails to match the color of the foil. After drying, cover the nail with clear varnish. And immediately apply the foil on top, carefully waving it with an orange stick.

Mirror stickers

Also, one of the options when creating such a manicure is to use mirror stickers. They are easy to use, as they are easily attached to nails and are durable in use. To apply the sticker, you need to degrease your nails with nail polish remover and stick the sticker on. The sticker is smoothed with a napkin.

You can coat it with clear varnish; this will not spoil the shine.

Mirror rubbing

One of the most common methods when creating the perfect mirror tone. Is, of course, mirror powder. To do this, nails are coated with dark-colored varnish. Then sprinkle our mirror powder on top and rub in with a sponge until you get the perfect shine. Can be secured with clear varnish.

What it is

“Chrome” manicure is a special design in which the nails are treated so that they shine with a metallic sheen. This creates a mirror effect that looks very attractive and elegant.

It is important to note that the shine is created without the use of “metallic” varnishes. To create a manicure, use a special nail powder with high pigmentation and a mirror effect.

“Chrome” nails look especially beautiful in silver. But they are also attractive in other shades: pink, purple, blue. You can use this manicure on your entire hand or on individual nails.

Next, we will share instructions for creating a “chrome” manicure yourself.

Mirror French

French manicure is always a winner and the mirror texture is no exception. The matte surface and mirror edging go well together. But a multi-colored jacket will look very good on a regular mirror coating.

Choosing a mirror gel polish

If you want to get a bright, modern manicure without spending a lot of time on it, then a mirror coating is the best assistant in this. You can see the photo on this page.

However, to get a good result, you need to choose the right gel polish. To do this, you will need to consider the following tips:

Choose trusted manufacturers, because with the purchase of cheap gel polishes you will not get the expected mirror result and perfectly glossy surface.
Gel varnish must be quite liquid and, upon inspection, drain quickly enough from the brush.
The brush must have the correct shape and be soft enough. Manufacturers who produce quality products will definitely take care of this.
There cannot be sediment or separation inside the bottle.
Pay attention to the expiration date.
The gel polish itself must have a matte structure with an admixture of reflective particles.

Additional decor

Rhinestones, stones, and glitter will add their own touch of piquancy to the mirror coating. Adding some rhinestones to any mirror finish design is appropriate. For example, by adding rhinestones to the glossy edging, the French jacket becomes more original. A matte finish will add contrast to the color. When attached to a pattern, it will create a unique and original effect. Decorating with rhinestones, dark tones of the mirror coating will be quite appropriate. Since manicure with stones is always in fashion.

But it is worth remembering that the mirror coating itself is bright, and a lot of rhinestones and stones will look ridiculous.

It is enough to select one nail.

Application method

If we talk about the application technique, then there are some differences before applying regular gel polish without any effect. You just need to follow some recommendations that will help you achieve perfect coverage.

First you need to prepare the nail plate, walk over it with a buff, degrease and apply a layer of primer.
Cover your nails with base coat and place in the pampa.
Apply any desired metallic effect base and cure using a lamp.
Apply a tint that will cover the resulting sparkling layer, dry, and repeat the procedure if necessary.
Secure the resulting result with a topcoat and remove the unwanted sticky layer.

Bright mirror manicure

As a rule, mirror gel polish is available in 10 ml bottles. Thanks to the low liquid consumption, the coating will be used as economically as possible and will last for a long time. Mirror glitter gel polish for nails looks amazing not only as an everyday manicure. Due to its radiance, this coating is appropriate as an addition to a chic evening dress for any festive occasion.

Multi-colored nails with mirror polish

IMPORTANT! This coating must be applied with a special sponge, brush or fingers. The coating should be driven into the nail plate, starting from the base.

Drawing in the mirror

The patterns will look good on a dark coating made of gold. On light colors it is better to use gold or white. But you can practice black patterns on silver. Gold and silver go well together on colored polishes.

Which coating color to choose

So, before applying the mirror rub on the gel polish, you need to choose the color of the substrate, which the gel polish will serve as. If you've ever encountered nail pigment, you'll notice that it has a translucent color. Want to achieve a gilded effect on your nails? It is better to choose a dark gel polish, preferably black. On colored gel polish, you can achieve a pearlescent effect using a mirror coating.

Golden rub

The range of powders is quite wide and it is important to understand exactly what kind of shimmer on your nails you want to achieve. It’s not difficult to understand the variety of pigments; you just need to know the characteristics of each of them. There are gold, silver, and metallic pigments of different colors.

Blue nails with mirror polish

Among the most common:

pearl rub;
chromium;
"Northern lights".

Matte with shine

A matte mirror-colored tone will appeal to lovers of discreet style. But you can make your own adjustments to this design.

Experiment with both the color of the coating and the addition of decor.

"Northern lights"

Many women are interested in how they can achieve the “Northern Lights” effect on their nails using rubbing. It's very simple, the pigment contains tiny reflective particles. Working with this material is no less easy than with the previous ones. The rub should be applied to any colored coating that has been previously dried or to a topcoat. To obtain an excellent result, the nail design master should apply a second layer of rub on the previously applied topcoat. Thus:

manicure will last longer;
your nails will acquire a dazzling shine.

Now there is no need to visit beauty salons every week to update your manicure. With the advent of gel polish, this procedure can be visited no more than 2 times a month. And a mirror rub on gel polish will become an invariable companion to your perfect manicure. In addition, you can apply this coating to your nails yourself, without visiting a nail design specialist.

How to do a manicure with rubbing

Even a novice master can do a French manicure with shimmering powder, but there are some subtleties of the process that are definitely worth knowing. It’s difficult to get nails like the ones in the photos in the portfolios of top masters the first time, but with practice, you will master the technique and achieve a beautiful result.

Before performing the design, you need to do a traditional manicure, treating the cuticle and filing the free edge of the nails. It is important to carefully walk over the surface of the nail plates, removing all irregularities and bumps on the surface. For rubbing, ideal smoothness of the nail is important, otherwise it will emphasize all the imperfections and errors of the relief.

An important stage of manicure is applying the base to the nail plate. The coating should be even, there should be no sagging or shagreen, otherwise everything will be even more noticeable under the rubbing. After drying the base, you can apply colored coatings and draw a smile line on your nails with a French manicure. If a plain substrate is used for rubbing, gel polish of the selected shade is applied in 2 – 3 layers, drying each of them in a lamp.

The nails are covered with a top coat with a sticky layer, paying special attention to the ends. Immediately after drying, while the top is still warm, a rub is applied to the nail. You shouldn’t wait and leave the coating to cool, as this will make the powder stick worse. You can rub it in directly with your finger, not forgetting about gloves. You can use an applicator or a brush. This is a matter of personal convenience and preference. Try all the options and choose the one that suits you best.

After applying the powder, cover the nail with top coat again, dry it, and remove the sticky layer. At the final stage, you can use a top coat without a sticky layer.

Fatal red

A bright and rich mirror red manicure is an ideal choice for brave and confident women. The most interesting thing is that the red mirror rub allows you to visually make your nails larger. Therefore, if you have short nails, then feel free to choose exactly this color of the rub and your manicure will be perfect.

Varieties

For many girls, mirror manicure with gel polish is associated with a shiny silver coating. In fact, the range of manicure products is presented in a wide color palette. Moreover, any colored mirror coating can be complemented with an original hand-painted pattern. Manicure can be decorated with ribbons, rhinestones, and beads. Masters and fashionistas using mirror gel polish in the photo claim that this type of manicure is stylish and modern. And in order to achieve the desired stunning effect, it is recommended to adhere to the technology of applying reflective gel polishes.

Master class from a blogger

Of course, the easiest way to do a mirror manicure is after a video with a master class. After all, even the most complete text will not tell you about all the nuances that are so important for perfect nails!

In this video, Yulia Kotova (blogger MixStyleCappuccino) will talk about the most trendy version of nail art for this summer - mirror manicure with a holographic effect. The trendy “hello from the 80s” is a hit on all beaches and festival grounds this season. Experts say that spring and summer 2022 will also be the peak of popularity for mirror manicure.

Be sure to try it again! To do this, watch the video tutorial:

Where to buy mirror rubbing?

Chrome powder for creating a mirror nail design in imported versions can be called differently - Mirror Powder, Chrome Powder, Chrome Pigment, Glitter Powder, etc. This is a finely ground aluminum powder designed for rubbing into the varnish coating and giving it a metallic shine.