Create a mirror effect: “chrome manicure” is back in fashion

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 manicure with gel polish and rubbing

A mirror finish on nails created using rubbing (shiny powder of different shades and density) is still one of the most fashionable trends in manicure. In the fall-winter 2021-2022, “chrome” nails, for example, were chosen by Mulberry nail stylists (we wrote in more detail about other trends of this season here).

If you want to create a mirror manicure using a rub-in, you will need gel polish and everything you need to cover it. What should be the sequence of actions?

If there is old gel coating left on the nails, it must be removed. Those who do not have time to go to the salon can do it at home. But keep in mind: to remove the coating without damaging the nail plate, you will need at least an hour.
Remove the gel polish first from one hand, then from the other. To do this, you will need foil, special silicone caps for removing gel polish, cotton pads and gel polish remover (you can use any acetone-based nail polish remover instead).

Wrap your fingers in foil and keep in this state for at least 25 minutes. When the old gel polish comes off, remove it with a pusher or an orange stick. To avoid injuring the nail plate, work with it carefully, without pressing too hard.

Get your nails manicured and degreased. Apply gel polish base and cure under a UV lamp for two minutes.

Apply two layers of burgundy or wine-colored gel polish to your nails (you can use Essie Gel Couture long-lasting gel polish in shade 370 “On the Hook”) - it’s in fashion this fall. Dry each layer under a UV lamp for two minutes.

Apply the top coat without a sticky layer in two layers to all nails - dry each one under a UV lamp for two minutes.

Take your nails out from under the lamp and, while they are hot, instantly apply the rub - use an eyeshadow sponge to do this.

The hotter the nail plate is, the brighter and richer the rub will look. On a light background it will resemble pearls, on a dark background it will resemble a cosmic sky.

Reapply the top coat in one layer and cure under a UV lamp for two minutes. Manicure is ready!

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Mirror manicure with metallic varnish

You can create a mirror-like effect using varnish with a metallic sheen. For example, in the Essie palette it is presented in four shades. How to apply them?

Get a manicure and degrease the nail plate.

Apply the base coat in one layer. Let it dry completely.

Apply metallic effect varnish in two or three layers. Typically, this product requires special care when applying; try to distribute it in one direction to achieve a perfectly smooth surface.

Complete the procedure with a topcoat that will extend the durability of your manicure.

Quality of the brush and consistency of the product

Then you should open the bottle and check whether the drop stretches and flows from the brush. This shouldn't happen. Good quality mirror varnishes can be identified by the rapid fall of a drop. It is in this case that the expected effect will definitely be achieved.

You also need to pay attention to the brush. Its rigidity plays a role, as well as its rounded or smooth edge. There should be no protruding bristles. We all know that a brush should be good, but we don’t always have an idea of what kind of brush we should prefer.

When purchasing, you should pay attention to the fact that the mirror varnishes in the bottles are uniform. There should be no separation or accumulation of the silver composition. This indicates that the product was not stored properly, has been diluted with something, or is simply expired. To avoid such troubles, you should purchase the product from a reputable store.

Choosing high-quality coating

To achieve the effect, you should get a rub. This is a special pigment powder that is rubbed into the nail. It is purchased in specialized stores. You can also choose silver-colored powder. It adds shine to the shade that is used as a base. And you will get a holographic result using prism powder.

Original and chic effect

Bright

Amazing Accents

Nail pigment – finely ground aluminum powder. It lays evenly on the gel or varnish coating. Even if you are not a professional manicurist, you will get amazing results with the right materials. Since it is impossible to replace chrome pigment with ordinary small glitter, pay attention to the following products:

Glitter Powder;
Chrome Pigment;
Mirror Powder;
Chrome Powder.

Considering the tone, silver and gold are undoubtedly popular. But on store shelves you will find a variety of palettes. Some manufacturers even offer a tone that changes depending on the angle of light.

Since the technology is not yet widespread, it is almost impossible to buy a high-quality product in small towns. American and European trading platforms come to the rescue, whose assortment can be found online. The cost of a jar ranges from 15 to 20 dollars. Good analogues can be purchased for 2 – 5 dollars on Chinese websites.

Advice! If you want your design to last as long as possible, use the right gels. There is a difference in the tools for extended and natural surfaces.

mirror manicure with gel polish: 8 tips

We answered the most frequently asked questions about gel polish.

Is it harmful to apply gel polish?

Everything is individual - there are people whose nail plate deteriorates, and there are those for whom gel polish does not harm. As a rule, this is a coating that “breathes”. If you do a manicure with gel polish yourself, choose files with minimal abrasiveness and do not “file” your nails with buff before applying the coating. It is recommended that nail polishing be done once a year for women and twice a year for men.

How often can you apply gel polish?

It is advisable not to do a manicure with gel polish more than three times in a row. Do not forget to take breaks between “approaches” - a week or at least ten days.

What to do when your nails are shiny, but you don’t have time to remove the gel polish?

Renew the coating with a base or fixing varnish - gloss will appear on the nails, and the gel polish will not peel off from the nail plate.

Why does gel polish “come off” along the edges of the nail?

There may be two reasons for this - either the skin on the hands is often damp, or the nail plate was poorly degreased. There is only one way out - if you can’t go to the salon, apply a top coat to your nails and dry it properly.

What to do if the gel polish coating chips?

In this case, the winner is the one who covers his nails with gel polishes of transparent or neutral shades: in this case, chips are practically invisible. If the color is bright, a regular varnish of a similar shade will come to the rescue, which must be applied to the chip site, and a fixative varnish.

Is it possible to file nails with gel polish?

Many masters do not recommend doing this. But if you are uncomfortable with the existing length, file your nails very carefully - and in one direction. Then secure the coating with topcoat.

How to choose gel polish to match your skin color?

Focus on your skin tone. For girls with porcelain skin, warm shades are suitable (cold ones may look unnatural), while for girls with tanned skin, light pastel shades are suitable. Varnishes of any shade will harmoniously combine with dark skin.

Can I use gel polish if my nails are peeling?

It’s possible, but before that you need to remove all the “detachments” using a buff. And after that, make sure that the surface of the nails is not rough - only in this case will the gel polish be distributed evenly.