45 of the *Best* Chrome Nail Designs for a Polished Look (2024)

Main image – @sadiejnails/instagram

From sleek, mirror-like finishes to fingertips that look like molten metal, chrome nails offer a futuristic and eye-catching twist to traditional manicures, and some looks are seriously mesmerising.

The metal effect has been around for quite some time, with A-listers like JLo and Dua Lipa wearing the trend, and Zendaya and Florence Pugh rocking the look for the recent Dune 2 futuristic red carpet events.

Whether you prefer to keep it minimal with hints of chrome, or really up the ante and go for a full-on out-of-this-world liquid chrome look, we’ve got 45 of *the* best chrome nail designs to take you through every season in 2024.

Don’t forget to screenshot your fave look to show your nail tech!

Classic nude chrome nails

1. Nude chrome iridescent nails with white flowers

A shade of nude chrome is the perfect base for some pretty nail art like these white flowers.

2. Champagne chrome round nails

These champagne chrome nails shine different colours in the light, creating a beautiful shimmer. And the polka dots are *so* cute.

3. Brown, green and bronze chrome mix and match nails

This mani combines a few of the biggest 2024 nail trends, including croc print, 3D details, chrome, and twinkle stars.

4. Beige toffee chrome nails

This stunning set was created using a toffee BIAB base with a dusty chrome powder to create that pearly, chrome glazed look.

Icy cold whites

5. Milky white stiletto nails with gold chrome swirls

Milky white nails have been seen everywhere over the past few months, and this milky white and gold chrome is the perfect combo.

6. Pearly chrome nails with black

These pearly chrome nails are the perfect length for a chic and understated mani that will fit right in at the office.

7. Barely there clear nails with white chrome

We are in LOVE with this barely-there mani on long stiletto nails, the perfect set for a frosty day.

Dramatic black tones

8. Black and turquoise chrome aura nails

Now these are dramatic! They’re not really something I’d wear every day, but these super long acrylics are great if you want to make a statement.

9. Iridescent chrome nails with black butterfly wing details

Butterfly nail art is *everywhere* lately – from stickers and decals to intricate hand-painted wings like the set above.

The prettiest of pinks

10. Pretty ombre pink nails with chrome powder finish

The prettiest pink ombre chrome nails that merge from a pink champagne to baby pink tips.

11. Hot pink aura nails with silver chrome art

This silvery chrome is perfect on these hot pink aura nails.

12. Pink and purple oyster chrome nails

This finish aims to look like an oyster, add some pretty colours and you’ve got a gorgeous chrome mani that shines like shells.

Sophisticated reds

13. Red, beige, and silver chrome mismatched nails

Mismatched is the mani of the moment.

14. Hailey Bieber’s glazed chrome with red accents

Gorgeous glazed chrome complete with bright red tips – the exact mani Hailey Bieber has been papped wearing.

All the blue shades

15. Light blue chrome nails with a hint of purple

This blue/purple shade is giving modern mermaid vibes. So pretty.

16. Dark blue chrome swirls

If you love the chrome trend but don’t want to wear it all over your nails, try some chrome nail art like this stunning set from @colourriotnails.

17. Blue chrome nails with silver and white abstract brush strokes

A real work of art, this short mani is a really cool and modern take on the abstract nail trend while incorporating some silver shimmer and blue chrome.

Versatile greens

18. Dark green chrome nails with silver 3D details

3D nail art is huge in 2024, with everyone from Megan Fox and Dua Lipa to Megan Thee Stallion and Kerry Washington experimenting with this trend.

19. Green and gold melting French tip chrome nails

The traditional French manicure is still huge (I don’t think it ever goes out of style, does it?!) with Selena Gomez seen wearing an exaggerated take on the trend just a couple of weeks ago. Twist your French mani by changing the shapes and colours for a more up-to-date feel.

Orange shades

20. Coral chrome nails

Ok, so not quite orange, but in that general area!

21. Shades of orange lipstick nails with silver chrome

One of the latest nail trends is the lipstick manicure – a twist on rectangular and stiletto shapes with a pointed, slanted edge that looks like a used lipstick!

Perfect purples

22. Short lilac chrome nails

Loving lilac this season.

23. Lilac opal chrome long stiletto nails

I’m a little bit in love with these stiletto pastel pink and purple nails with THE shiniest opal chrome finish.

Precious metallics and stones

24. Peachy opulent chrome nails

It’s giving opalite.

25. Chrome jewel nails

How precious is this manicure, it’s giving off diamonds and opulence. The perfect wedding nails? I think so.

26. Rose gold round nails with twinkle stars

Pink is the perfect base for shiny, rose gold chrome, giving these nails a real ethereal look.

27. Copper chrome super shiny short nails

Bronze isn’t just for your face! These seriously shiny bronze chrome nails have also got some added shimmer.

28. Beautiful bronze chrome with feature nails

These bronze chrome nails are so shiny you can almost see your face in them! The added airbrushed feature nail is a beautiful touch.

Elevating with nail art

29. Short white unicorn chrome nails

Remember when unicorn *everything* was everywhere?! Well, unicorn nails are showing signs of coming back now we are getting closer to spring – and I don’t mind!

30. Chrome nails with pink and purple tiny flowers

You may not have noticed that this set has 2 different shades of silver, making a chrome French manicure. The pink and purple flowers are the perfect addition for a spring or summer mani.

31. Silver rainbow disco chrome nails

Now this is the type of chrome finish I like, these nails are mesmerising!

32. Jade green chrome French tip nails

Bored of the classic nude and pink French tips? Add some chrome to elevate the look without going too OTT.

33. Pink chrome nails with chunky glitter

Chunky glitter, 3D nail art, and chrome combine to create this beautiful mani.

34. Splish splash pink bubble bath chrome nails

Viral on TikTok, bubble bath nails are effortless simplicity with a hint of girliness. And this set includes *literal* bubbles – so cute.

35. Aurora pastel nails with gems

How much do these nails look like shiny boiled sweets?! Jess created these nails using @kokoistusa in Pink Tulip, Mexican Turquoise, Party Balloon Purple, Peach Tea Candy, Green Pepper, Art Clear Chrome Pigments and Aurora Film.

36. Colourful chrome opulent nails with tiny stars

These colourful and opulent nails are sure to brighten ANY day.

37. 3D mirror chrome nails

Another set with 3D details, this manicure reminds me of Medusa’s snake hair.

38. Gold and silver chrome swirls

With the mixed metallic movement firmly on the radar (mixing metallics like silver and gold), you’ll be bang on trend with this simple manicure.

39. Matte velvet dark blue nails with pink chrome water droplets

Velvet nails were huge in 2023 and they’re still showing up on my feed today! The contrast of the purple/pink shade, chrome, wet look, and matte velvet is really unusual – and it looks amazing.

40. Nude nails with white and gold foil leopard print

Who doesn’t love animal print?!

41. Strawberry glazed donut chrome nails with half hearts

You can’t go wrong with the classic glazed donut, but this strawberry glazed donut/chrome set topped off with half hearts is perfect.

By season

42. Spring colourful candy chrome nails

Another chrome set that looks good enough to eat, with candy shades and a shiny finish.

43. Summer fairy chrome X cat eye nails

Get away with the fairies this summer.

44. Autumn holy grail brown nails with gold chrome

How cool is this 3D holy grail manicure, complete with decal images and gold chrome rings.

45. Winter whites Christmas/New Year chrome nails

If you’re looking for something a little bit different for your Christmas nails, take a look at this winter whites chrome set that will take you right through the holidays and into the new year.

How to do chrome nails

Still with us? Cool!

You can actually recreate this manicure on your nails from the comfort of your own home, with tonnes of alternatives to visiting the salon.

If you’re a bit of a dab hand with nail polish or gels and fancy giving this a go, here are our quick steps:

1. First, file your nails into the desired shape and buff them to prepare for gel polish. If you’re not using gel polish, skip the buffing.

2. Next, brush on your desired colour, wait for it to dry and add a second coat. Tip: darker colours show up much better with chrome.

3. If you’re using gel, cure the nails under your UV or LED lamp. If using regular polish, wait until all nails are dry.

4. Next, apply a top coat or another layer of base coat. Pro nail artists recommend a ‘no wipe’ top coat.

5. Then use a foam eyeshadow applicator and dip it into the chrome powder. Buff this thoroughly on the nail, smoothing as you go.

6. Keep adding chrome powder and rubbing it onto the nail, pressing down slightly.

7. Brush off excess powder with a fluffy brush, then add a top coat to seal the deal.

The AMAAAZING @nailsbyzola also did this super easy tutorial on her Instagram:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zola Ganzorigt (@nailsbyzola)

The takeaway

Whether you prefer long stiletto nails, short square manis, bright colours, acrylics, gels, or BIAB, there’s a mani for everyone in this roundup! Don’t forget to take a screenshot to show your nail tech.

Prefer at home manis? Alternatives to recreating your own manicure look are sooo good these days, with loads of nail stickers, press-ons and nail wraps available – and for a fraction of the price of a trip to the salon!

Or, follow our step-by-step guide above to get the chrome look from the comfort of your couch.