Futuristic chrome was everywhere in the late ’90s and early ’00s, from Busta Rhymes and Janet Jackson’s “What’s It Gonna Be” music video to Britney Spears’s Teen People photo shoot. Maybe it was the excitement of a new millennium approaching. Perhaps it was all the nifty tech that was coming out. (Did we mention that Britney was posing with a robotic dog?) And our nails weren’t spared from the shiny, silvery trend.
My obsession with chrome nails started when I saw the poker scene in The Parent Trap. It was Annie (Lindsay Lohan) vs. Hallie (also Lohan), and the latter had blue lacquer with a chrome finish painted on her nails. To quote another Lohan masterpiece (Mean Girls), I was a woman possessed. I spent about 80% of my time trying to hunt down that exact Hard Candy polish in my small hometown of Greenville, Mississippi, and the other 20% of the time I was praying for someone to bottle the exact effect held by the foil on the back of the Dentyne Ice gum packet.
Brands like Sally Hansen launched Chrome Nail Makeup lacquers—which had that true molten metal finish—reserved for salon techniques and red-carpet events. “Chrome nails have a very editorial feel, like liquid metal on your fingertips,” says Jin Soon Choi, manicurist and founder of JinSoon. “This look is all about that ultra-reflective, mirror-like finish that feels futuristic but still chic, and it works beautifully for anyone.”
By 2011, Minx Nail Wraps, worn by Beyoncé in her 2013 “Drunk In Love” video, scratched that chrome itch I couldn’t shake. But left to my own devices—a hair dryer, nail file, and an orange wood stick—the result was rarely as polished as when I’d have a set applied by a pro. Over a decade later, chrome nails are so back, and my nostalgic heart is singing to the tune of the Y2K playlist I keep on repeat.
While Hailey Bieber may have provided the gateway into molten metal territory by popularizing glazed donut nails in 2022, celebrities like Addison Rae and Lisa have been working chrome accents, and DIY methods continue to flood #NailTok. “Back then, you had the classic silver chrome or gold, but now there are a variety of chrome powder shades to choose from,” says Los Angeles-based nail artist Sarah Chue. “And it was only applied to the entire surface of the nail. Now, chrome powder is used at the tips of your nails for a shiny French, on top of 3D art, and as an ombré.”
Today’s chrome nails are also much easier to maintain than those in 2000. “When chrome first came out, it was a challenge for some nail techs to prevent it from chipping,” says Galinda Jimenez, manicurist and OPI global education manager. “Because of this, a lot of techs shied away from using it. It was frustrating to have unsatisfied clients come back with chipped chrome.” But thanks to improvements in polish and topcoat formulas, it’s easier than ever to jump onto the trend. We’ve come a long way, baby.
What colors should you choose for your chrome manicure?
Chrome is the nail equivalent of a plain white tee: It’s flattering when paired with most colors. “Even something like butter yellow or bright orange can look unexpected and fun,” says Sojin Oh, a 3D nail artist based in Los Angeles. “Chrome just has a way of transforming color into something dimensional and striking.”