"Although I’m a lover of dark nail polishes all year round, there really is nothing like a glossy black manicure during the chilly months. Fall and winter nail trends usually lean into a darker color palette, but lately, I’ve been gravitating toward small details that make my moody nails feel a bit more elevated, and that’s exactly why chrome nails—or more specifically, black chrome nails—are my current go-to manicure.
This Baggy Dad style from Levi’s is a tried-and-true favorite our team swears by, made famous by an effortlessly cool fit and PJ-like comfort.
Ahead, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about black chrome nails, from what to ask for at the nail salon to how to achieve them at home.
What are black chrome nails?
After Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut nails took the world by storm in 2022, chrome has become a staple in nail trends season after season. Enter: Black chrome nails. By layering a chrome powder on top of a black nail polish, you get a sleek, metallic effect that it’s hard to stop staring it.
How to Achieve Black Chrome Nails
Steps for Creating a Black Chrome Manicure Yourself
- Begin by prepping the nails, making sure they are clean of polish residue. Trim or file your nails to their desired shape and length, and push back your cuticles to increase longevity of the manicure.
- Apply a curable base coat and cure with UV light. This base coat will help to prevent chipping and also strengthens your natural nail below the polish.
- Apply a thin coat of black gel polish, then cure under a UV lamp.
- Apply a second coat of black gel polish, then cure this coat under UV light as well. This should leave you with an opaque, even black nail.
- Apply a curable top coat and cure under the UV light to set your base color into place.
- There are two options to achieve your chrome finish: a black chrome powder, or a white chrome powder. Each will give you a slightly different color effect, which we broke down below. Apply the chrome powder with an applicator and buff into the nail until the mirrored effect is achieved.
- Apply another layer of top coat and cure under the UV lamp.
Tools & Products You’ll Need
Here are the tools to add to your cart if you’re looking to achieve a black chrome manicure at home. Opting for high-quality products will help your manicure look better and last longer.
Black Chrome Nail Designs and Ideas
1. Deep Black Chrome
If you’re looking for like, a teeny step up from black nails, these are perfect for you. A thin amount of black chrome powder can achieve this mirror-like black chrome look.
2. Sparkly Chrome
If you want to see the glitter sparkles in your mani, this one will be your winner. By topping your black polish with a white glittery chrome powder, you can achieve this iridescent look.
4. Gunmetal
If you want a black manicure that’s a bit more muted, try out this uber-sleek gunmetal color, which can be achieved by layering a black polish with a buffed-out black chrome powder.
5. True Chrome
Much like the mani above, this set has a gunmetal quality that’s a total statement. Ask for white chrome powder on top of a black nail polish to get a similar effect.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Black Chrome Nails
Overusing Chrome Powder
It can be easy to go overboard with chrome powder, but using the right amount is key to getting a high-shine finish. Remember the golden rule: You can always add more chrome powder, but you can’t take it away. Start by buffing a small amount of chrome into your top coat, then add more if you choose.
Not Using the Right Base Coat
Just like the top coat, the base coat is incredibly important in this process. Making sure you’re using a gel base coat is a huge key—and trust me, I’ve made this mistake before. Since this process requires UV curing, you need to make sure your base is made for that as well. Not only does this coat prevent damage to your natural nails, it also ensures your manicure will stick to your nails properly.
Skipping the Top Coat
When applying chrome powder, it should be layered in between two top coats. The first coat serves as a sticky base so the chrome can actually adhere to it, while the second powder seals it in. Make sure that you’re applying a high-quality top coat to ensure your chrome lasts.
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.