Chrome—you either love it, or you hate it. And we just so happen to fall into the “we’re obsessed” category. Any chance we can use chrome, we take! And while it can occasionally take away from a manicure or even drastically (and not in a good way) change the appearance of the polish you so painstakingly chose, there are plenty of times when chrome just makes sense. And fall just so happens to be one of those times.
Meet the expert
This autumn, we plan on rocking chrome every chance we get. Are you with us? Keep scrolling to get a look at 18 ideas for fall chrome nails, along with some expert advice from our fave nail experts.
Black Chrome
These black chrome nails are giving witchy in a subtle and understated way. If that’s your vibe, all you need to do is pop on a few coats of a black polish, like Birnam Wood from Aprés Nail, and top it off with a chrome powder.
Rosy Gold
2024 is the year to wear mixed metal jewelry, so why not throw another into the mix, but this time, with your nails? This rosy gold set can be achieved by using OPI’s Intentions are Rose Gold, and we’re obsessed with the chrome-y look it gives off. Nail expert Gionna Skleros agrees, telling us, “The look is both chic and timeless, perfect for any occasion.”
Cotton Candy
If you’re the type to rock light-colored nails year-round, regardless of the changing seasons, we think you’ll adore this cotton candy mani. “To achieve this chrome nail look, start by applying a light, neutral base color followed by a chrome powder or metallic top coat to give the nails a reflective, mirror-like finish,” shares Skleros. “Seal the look with a high-gloss top coat for extra shine and longevity.”
Metallic Red
Reds aren’t just reserved for the winter! This is your official sign to go for a metallic red this fall. Add two or three coats of your vibrant red polish and finish it off with some chrome powder. Or, if you’re looking for a press-on option, Molly Romah, head nail artist at Chillhouse, says that the brand’s She’s On Holiday is a great option.
Glazed French
A classic French mani is always a good idea, but if you want to take things up a notch this fall, we suggest adding in a touch of chrome. “Shape the nails into an almond style, then apply a neutral or clear base coat,” says Skleros. “Use chrome powder or metallic polish on the tips, ensuring a smooth line, and finish with a glossy top coat to lock in the reflective effect.” She recommends DND’s How Do U Neutral for the base!
Dripping Gold
If you can’t be dripping in jewelry, you might as well show off a metallic gold nail drip! We’re loving this perfect-for-autumn look, and if you do, too, start out with a neutral polish and top it off with a rose gold chrome powder.
Mixy Matchy
There might be a lot going on with these 3D white and gold nails, but we think it’s just the right amount. The neutral hues look amazing on their own, but with the addition of chrome, they’re taken to a whole new level. To get the look, “paint a French tip with a gel base and white tip,” says Skleros. “Use a chrome powder on top of the French and gold nails. You can use a builder gel to create the 3D appearance and top it off with an embellishment!”
Cherry Cola
Cherry cola? Yes, please! We love that cherry nails pop off every fall, and this year, we’re adding in a touch of chrome. To get this exact look, apply two to three coats of Aprés Nail’s Never Bordeaux You and finish with white chrome powder.
Chrome French
Not ready to commit to a full chrome nail? Take note of this French mani and just place it on the tip! “Apply a matte top coat over your base color, ensuring a smooth, non-glossy finish,” Skleros tells InStyle. “Then, carefully apply gold chrome powder to the tips.”
Vanilla Glaze
For the neutral girlies who don’t like darker hues, we suggest this vanilla glaze look. Similar to the now iconic glazed donut nails, this set uses a neutral base polish instead of a creamy white. For a similar look, try out OPI’s Put It In Neutral with white chrome powder.
Go for Green
Brat green was for the summer, but sage green is undoubtedly for the fall! Swipe on a few shades of a muted green hue, like Jungle Jane from Magpie Beauty, along with some silver sheen chrome.
Glossy Perfection
A mixture of brown, purple, and red notes, this glossy look was achieved using Chartreuse Discovers Nirvana from Death Valley Nails. Although, if your nail salon doesn’t have that brand, Skleros says to “Try using DND Light Mahogany with a shiny rub on chrome.”
Espresso Glaze
If we had to choose just one set from this roundup to try out for the fall, it would have to be these espresso glaze nails. They’re simply perfect—from the rich espresso polish to the glazed chrome that makes the brown appear even better—what’s not to love?
Feeling Frosty
“This style is both modern and versatile, perfect for making a statement while maintaining a refined appearance,” Skleros says. What’s great about this set is that it can be achieved in so many different ways. You can use a white polish with rainbow chrome, or, you can get your hands on Moon River from Death Valley Nails.
Mixing Metals
For when you simply can’t choose between silver or gold, just go for both! We’re loving how this French mixed-metal mani looks, and it’s actually pretty easy to achieve. After applying a gel base coat of your choosing, Romah says to “Use nail art brushes to draw French tips using a no-wipe topcoat and rub gold or silver chrome powder on the French tips!”
You’re So Golden
Embrace your inner maximalist and go for a full-on gold manicure. This look is actually quite easy to do if you have gold chrome powder. The base color doesn’t really matter, so you can go in with clear, white, or black, depending on how stark you want the gold to look. Then, top it off with some gold chrome powder!
Gradient Chocolate
Shades of brown are undoubtedly fall’s biggest hue this year, so why not wear them all at the same time? Go for a gradient chocolate look by choosing five brown and neutral shades, going from darkest to lightest. And if you want to give your nails a little bit of TLC as we head into colder weather, Skleros says to consider using builder gel, which is a “a structured gel manicure that uses a thicker, flexible gel to add strength and durability to natural nails, promoting growth and preventing breakage.”
Aura Nails
Aura nails, meet autumn sunset. While aura nails are already beautiful enough on their own, we love how a touch of chrome was added to this mani, resulting in a reflective, eye-capturing look. “The aura design typically features a subtle color transition, often centered around the middle of the nail, creating a glowing, ethereal look,” Skleros tells us. “Topped with chrome, these nails have a futuristic, high-shine finish that enhances the radiant aura for a bold and captivating style.”
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