Want to create manicures that stand out - without hours spent on creating nail art? Chrome nail powder will be your new best friend! Easy to apply and perfect for simple nail creations.
Only within the last few years has chrome nail powder increased in popularity. This ultra-fine chrome nail powder will make your nails look like a mirror. With a shine that will have everyone looking, try this unique mirror shine powder. Not only will you be impressed, but others will notice too!
Now, let's look at chrome nail powder in more detail and how exactly it functions. Does it have any harmful effects? How can you remove it without damaging your nails? These are some of the questions we are going to answer in this article about chrome nail powder.
Introduction to chrome nail powder
Chrome nail powder is made out of glass, metal, and pigment. The reflective effect of the powder comes from the metal, which is silver, that is actually in between the base polish and the clear polish on top. The chrome nail powder should be finely milled for it to fill in very well. Different looks and effects can be done with different pigments wherein the base color can be any shade of gel polish and it can be topped off with any shade of chrome nail powder such as Aurora, Silver, Gold, Galaxy, and Unicorn.
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Chrome nail powder |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Aurora |
reflective iridescent rainbow finish |
|
Silver |
reflective silver metallic finish |
|
Gold |
reflective gold metallic finish |
|
Galaxy |
reflective holo flakes finish |
|
Unicorn |
reflective dazzling holographic finish |
Chrome nail powder is a special type of pigment that gives your nails a glossy, metallic look.
People call this look for your nails a "mirror effect" because the shine on your nails becomes really prominent. It may include mica substrate to add the shiny effect, while pearlescent pigments provide the color.
This powder is predominantly used in various cosmetics, mainly for the decoration of your nail. It does not substitute nail polish, instead, it acts as a complementary product. In the beginning, you would only find this product in high–end salons or parlors, but now you can see people using it at home constantly.
"Effect powders" are responsible for the chrome look, as well as the holographic nails. These powders, McConnell says, all work in pretty much the same way but are just made with different materials. After a nail technician paints on a layer of gel color, they cover it in a special top coat and cure it under a lamp just long enough for it to be barely sticky. Then they dip the little sponge in one of these powders and rub it in.
For chrome nails, that powder is made of glass, metal, and pigment. "There's no chrome in it," McConnell says. "That would be completely illegal because chrome is a heavy metal and the FDA would be down our throats about it. It's more of a mirror nail." And much like with a real mirror, the reflective effect is created when a metal—silver, in this case—is sandwiched between a base layer of paint (or polish in this case) and a clear protective layer on top (glass for a mirror; a clear, glossy polish for the chrome nails).
How do you use chrome nail powder?
Chrome nail powder is one of the easiest nail art products to use! It can turn an ordinary gel manicure into a show-stopping one - and all you need is a No Wipe Top Coat, your chosen Chrome nail powder, and your applicator (and this comes with your pot of Chrome nail powder!)
You can use Chrome nail powder as full coverage on your nails for a BIG wow factor! Or, you can use it to create different patterns on your nail, combine two different colors of Chrome nail powder into one design, and draw lines and shapes... the choices are endless!
Usage with Gel Nail Polish
1. Apply a base coat, and cure it for 30 seconds under an LED manicure lamp.
Some nail artists also recommend coating the skin around your nails with white school glue or liquid latex. This will make cleaning up your manicure easier because all you have to do is peel the glue or latex off.
· Be sure to coat the very tips of your nails too. This will prevent the polish from peeling.
2. Add two coats of UV-gel polish, then cure it.
Apply your first coat, then cure it for 30 seconds. Apply your second coat, then cure it for only 15 seconds.
· Remember to coat the tips of your nails too!
· You can use any color you want, but many people find that black works best.
3. Use a sponge eyeshadow applicator to tap on the powder.
Don't worry if the powder doesn't look smooth. Simply dip your foam applicator into the powder, and start tapping it onto your nail. Start from the cuticle area, and work your way down towards the tip.
4. Use the applicator to gently buff the powder into your nail.
Once you have your nails coated with powder, use the foam applicator to gently buff the powder into your nails. Do not use too much pressure, however, or you might create dents. As you buff, the finish will get smoother and smoother.
5. Clean it up with a soft brush or rubbing alcohol.
Grab a soft, fluffy eyeshadow brush or kabuki brush, and gently sweep the tops of your nails. This will knock off any excess powder. You can also use a thin brush or Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe down the ski around your nails. If you applied glue or latex in the beginning, simply peel it off!
6. Apply a no-wipe top coat, and cure it for 30 seconds.
Once your nails have cured, you are ready to rock them!
Usage with Regular Nail Polish (last 1-2 days)
1. Apply your base coat and two coats of nail polish.
Be sure to extend the polish over the tips of your nails to make your manicure last longer. You can use any color you want, but mirror power will show up the best against black.
· UV-gel polish is easier to work with, but it is still possible to get a nice finish on non-UV gel polish and regular nail polish. It will take more work, however.
· Consider covering the skin around your nails with some white school glue or liquid latex to make clean-up easier.
2. Apply some top coat, then wait until it is dry to the touch.
Don't let the top coat dry all the way, however. You want it to feel rubbery, but not sticky or tacky. This is important, especially with regular, non-gel top coats; if you apply it too soon, the powder will make a mess, and if you wait too long, the powder won't stick.
· Use a regular, non-water-based top coat for this. A quick-dry top coat is recommended.
· Remember to extend the top coat down past the tip.
3. Tap on the mirror powder using a foam eyeshadow brush.
Start from the cuticle area and work your way towards the tip. You can use a special applicator meant for applying mirror powder, or you can use foam and an eyeshadow brush. Gently flick the brush down as you tap the powder on.
4. Buff the chrome nail powder in the polish.
Once you have your nail coated with powder, gently buff the surface with the foam eyeshadow brush. Do not apply too much pressure, or you may create dents. As you continue to buff, the surface will get smoother and smoother.
5. Wipe off any excess powder.
You can do this using a soft brush, such as an eyeshadow brush or a kabuki brush, or a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. If you applied glue or liquid latex earlier, simply peel it off.
6. Apply a water-based top coat, making sure to coat the tip of your nail.
Many people find that regular top coat cracks or mars the mirror powder's finish. Luckily, a water-based top coat does not do that.
7. Finish off with a regular top coat.
Once you have applied a water-based top coat, you can safely use any type of top coat. This will make your manicure last even longer; unfortunately, a water-based top coat alone does not last very long.
8. Wait for your top coat to finish drying.
Once it is dry, you can show off your new nails to all of your friends.
How long does chrome nail powder stay on nails?
When applied, the chrome nail powder can stay on your nails for one to two weeks. Depending on the brand and quality of the product, this period can vary significantly. Cheaper, more flaky powder tends to wear off pretty early.
Of course, the duration also depends on how well you applied it and how you take care of your nails. Plus, natural wear and tear and regrowth is a common thing. So, doing frequent touch-ups usually helps to keep the color for longer.
How do you make chrome nail powder dip last longer?
Now, let's talk about how you can preserve those beautiful, chromatic nails for a longer period of time. After all the care and hassle, it would be disconcerting if the color started to fade within a few days. So, here are some tips.
Make sure you cover the edges with a sealer or top coat. Otherwise, your nails will chip off easily and the color will start to wear off.
Don't apply too much powder, but rather as smooth and even as possible. Apply as much as you need and polish thoroughly until you get a nice, shiny look.
After applying the sealer, you should always give it proper drying time. The sealer should be non-wipe-on, but you can still make the surface uneven by touching it before it dries.
A common problem we see is the top layer becoming wrinkled or sunken. This happens when the chrome pigment gets into the top layer mixture in some way. The same thing can happen if there are dust particles or other substances. Therefore, make sure that you use a clean brush when applying the top coat.
It is also a good idea to use different brushes for different products so that they do not get mixed. If this happens, they will lose some of their quality and you will get a poorer result. You should clean your brushes regularly after each use.
Also, it is best if you used separate brushes for separate products, lest they get mixed. If this happens, they will lose some of their quality and you will get a lesser result. You should regularly clean the brush after using it every time.
How to remove chrome nail powder from your nails
Removing those pretty nails can be a pretty sad occasion but it is something we all must do. But the actual process of removing such material from nails is a bit challenging. So, we will show you the most convenient yet also one of the easiest methods of removing chrome nail powder.
· Buff your nails until there is only a small layer of color remaining. But be careful not to grind too much and damage your natural nails in the process.
· Make small squares from aluminum foil which is big enough to wrap your entire finger.
· Take a cotton ball and soak it in acetone or something equivalent. Pure acetone is the best choice for this task.
· Securely place one soaking cotton ball onto each nail and then wrap it with square foils.
· Keep your hands unmoved for the next 15-20 minutes to let the nail completely soak in the acetone.
· If there is still a noticeable amount of product left, you can soak it for a further five minutes.
· Gently remove the foil with a twist and toss it in the bin.
· Now, with a file or a jelly pusher, remove the residual product from the nail beds and cuticles.
· Now, wash your hands thoroughly to remove any acetone on your fingertips and dry it with tissue paper or a napkin.
Congratulations, your nails should be completely free of any chrome nail powder and other nail products.
Is chrome nail powder safe to use?
As with anything artificially manufactured, we do have to question the viability and side effects of chrome nail powders. So, how safe are these products?
Almost every cosmetic you see on the market has some chemical that poses a threat to our health in one way or another. These threats are mainly about inhalation, ingestion, or getting into the eyes.
And you may be afraid of chrome because it is the most toxic to the human body.
Chrome is also an inhalation hazard, which means you can get sick if you breathe this material into your lungs. It is similar to mica or other pigment powders and can cause severe respiratory irritation if you inhale it.
However, there's no real chrome in chrome nail powder which is made of glass, metal, and pigment.
Therefore, as for your nails, chrome nail powder is not known to cause any detoxification or damage to your nails. Of course, low-grade and cheap products using inferior materials and additional chemicals are indeed harmful. But if you buy from the most popular brands or reliable sources, your nails will be safe.
Similar to other nail care methods, chrome has health-related issues such as bacterial infections and UV exposure. However, if done correctly, chrome nail powder is as safe as any other product.
Conclusion
"The chrome nail trend is the look of highly reflective chrome finishes on either the entire nail or used as an accent for nail art—think french tips with a chrome finish, or a minimal design with a chrome finish," says, celebrity nail artist and founder of Nails of LA. "It looks very futuristic and cool on everyone, but can also be easily customized by pairing the effect with different base colors."
Chrome nail powder is the latest trend in manicures, and it's easy to see why. This unique product allows you to create a dazzling, mirror-like finish on your nails that is sure to turn heads. If you're interested in trying it out for yourself, all you need is a base coat of polish, some metallic powder, and a top coat of clear polish.
Some people say that no women's attire is complete without a stylish set of nails complimenting them. And with chrome nail powder, you can get that dazzling look all from the comfort of your home. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start experimenting! Just remember to use it safely and appropriately.
