Hello everyone :D I am back after a 3908502 month hiatus with some tips for you about the hottest trend in nail art - CHROME NAILS!!!
I'm sure you've seen it alllllll over Instagram and Pinterest these amazing chrome nails that basically look like tiny mirrors on your hands.
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| All pictures are NOT MINE and came from Pinterest - Look up Chrome Nails and they'll pop up |
Hey how awesome is that, fix your makeup just by looking in your nails :D
Of course there are so many different types of chrome nails, there's the classic silver and gold, but my personal favourite is the multi-chrome.
Living in Australia is both a joy and honestly a pain for nail art enthusiasts like you and me, finding Multi-chrome and Holo (shoutout to my SimplyNailogical Lovers) is basically like painting the Mona Lisa on your nails, aka impossible.
Of course, good old Ebay has got us covered with a huuugggeeee selection of Multi-chrome and Holo powders.
Now, the truth is all the tutorials will tell you that you have to use a gel polish on top of chrome powders, allow me to show you why:
It's all shiny and puretty but as soon as you chuck on your favourite quick-dry topcoat it goes all spotty and gritty. Don't get me wrong the color is still GORGEOUS but the mirror effect is gone (⁎˃ᆺ˂)
Observe:
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| Pre-Topcoat |
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| Post-Topcoat |
While both nails still have the gorgeous multi-chrome action going on, notice how the 'mirror' effect is more prominent in the top picture whereas the nail in the bottom picture has gone a bit spotty?
Notice that you can see my reflection (or my phones' reflection more like) on the nail that wasn't topcoated? This is what happens if you apply a regular topcoat over chrome powder, the mirror effect goes away (⌣_⌣”)
Notice that you can see my reflection (or my phones' reflection more like) on the nail that wasn't topcoated? This is what happens if you apply a regular topcoat over chrome powder, the mirror effect goes away (⌣_⌣”)
Now, if you go on YouTube there are heaps of tutorials telling you how to conquer this issue and achieve chrome nails without the gel. The solution? Water Based Topcoat!
Duh amirite? It's so simple, so let's go get some Water Based Topcoat onli- HOLD THE PHONE IT'S $30 FOR A BOTTLE?! AND YOU DON'T SHIP TO THE AU?! (╯°□°）╯
Yeah, living in Australia is sometimes a real kick in the face to get the 'nail art must haves'.
What am I supposed to do now?! I just ordered gorgeous chrome powder and you're saying I have to splash at least $80 on a at home gel kit*?!
DO NOT FEAR FOR I HAVE A SOLUTION (with help from the internet).
So what's the secret?
Basically in order to maintain the mirror effect, we need to find either a topcoat that isn't your 'traditional nail polish topcoat' i.e water based. Or we need to find a way to create a barrier between the chrome polish and your favourite quick dry topcoat.
What's the weapon of choice?
Yes, the peel off basecoat has been going on for a while, but like every single good nail polish item on the market, it's super hard to get AU, either it ain't stocked anywhere or it doesn't ship to the AU or shipping costs $49000 dollars.
But I did stumble upon Sally Hansen's Big Peel Off Base Coat in both Priceline and Chemist Warehouse and bought it in a heartbeat.
This is the secret final step to getting those chrome nails without the gel. And also, you can peel off the nail polish when you're done with your mani - no nail polish removed needed, woot!
The chrome powder I've been using and basically entered into a serious relationship with is from this lovely shop on ebay:
If you do purchase from them, help a girl out and tell em or link them my blog, i will give 400000 internet hugs if you do <3
DISCLAIMER: I did not come up with this technique all by myself, there are heaps of videos on YouTube of how to do chrome nails without gel, this is what I've found works for me using the tools I can get easily in Australia.
Be sure to leave all these lovely nail geniuses a big thumbs up on their videos ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)
Here are some videos that have helped be the catalyst to cracking the secret to chrome nails without the gel.
Be sure to leave all these lovely nail geniuses a big thumbs up on their videos ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)
Without further a due, let's get on to the tutorial.
Step 1: Paint your nails with a basecoat (an ordinary or peel off will work)
Step 2: Paint your nails a solid black colour
Black is the 'traditional' colour that is used under chrome nails to get the look you see all over instagram, however don't be limited to this one color, wanna try it over pink? GO AHEAD!
Check out Elleandishs' video where she uses different base colours, check her video out here:
Now i'm not going to lie to you guys, the method I've written about is not 100% fool proof, it's still a little spotty but 100x better than using no base coat between.
Now, pay close attention because this is where things get tricky!
Step 3: Paint your nails with your favourite quick dry topcoat.
You must wait until your topcoat is DRY TO THE TOUCH
WHAT DO YOU MEAN CHELSEA?! ヽ(#ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ
Basically, you want your topcoat to be dry enough that with a light stroke or push with your finger it feels dry, however if you poke it will leave a dint. This is extremely important as this is the only way the powder will stick.
One of the reasons gel polish is recommended for chrome nails is because after the topcoat is dry, the nail is 'tacky' and the powder can stick.
So in summary;
Gentle Stroke -> No movement = Good
Light Push -> Sticky/Dents = BAD
Let me show you in these poorly made DIY at home videos:
This is the degree of dryness you want, dry to the gentlest touch
This is too early, notice that the polish sticks to your fingers and leaves a dinted residue?
Step 4: Once the topcoat is dry to the touch, using your FINGER gently rub the powder onto your nail.
HOLD UP CHELSEA WHY ARE WE USING MY FINGER AND NOT THE SPONGE APPLICATOR?!
The reason you are using your finger is because you are able to feel if you're pressing a lil too hard and are going to dent the polish. But don't fret, we will use the sponge applicator.
Step 5: Using the sponge applicator, 'press' the powder more securely into the polish and brush away excess powder until you achieve the mirror effect :D
Step 6: Apply at least 2 layers of the peel off base coat over the chrome powder.
This peel of base coat will act as the barrier between the chrome powder and the topcoat and prevent the mirror effect going bye-bye.
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| Don't worry, the basecoat dries clear :D |
Step 7: Once peel of base coat is dry, apply your favourite quick dry topcoat.
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| My current top coat of choice |
VOILA WE NAILED IT! o(*^▽^*)o
Here's some pictures of the mirror nails I've personally fallen in love with.
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| © TipsforFingertips |
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| © TipsforFingertips |
Now i'm not going to lie to you guys, the method I've written about is not 100% fool proof, it's still a little spotty but 100x better than using no base coat between.
A water based topcoat such as the one from Little Ondine will give the best results. However it is so hard to get our hands on it in the AU and I've found this is the best compromise with things all of us can get our hands on without breaking the bank.
I hope this helps you guys out, any questions about things that don't make sense, shoot me a message or comment and I'll do my best to clear it up.
Until next time, stay lovely <3
*I personally am not a fan of gel nails as I change my nails - a lot. However if you love to have a colour of nail polish stay on for longer, you slay with those gel nails girl
