This year has been packed with nail trends, from butter nails and fruity nail art to the continuing popularity of neutral colors and polished chrome nails, but a new nail trend is on the way: glass nails.
With Google searches for glass nails up 5,000%, it’s clear that the new chrome nail is replacing glazed nails. But what exactly are glass nails, and how are they different from chrome nails? Celebrity nail technician Karolina Zuk (who does the nails of Rosie Huntington-Whitley, among others) shares more about the new nail trend.
What are glass nails?
Like the glazed nails seen on the likes of Hailey Bieber, glass nails use chrome powder to create an elevated shine. While the glazed manicure trend often features a milky base (think OPI’s Funny Bunny) before the chrome powder is applied, glass nails have a sheerer, neutral base, with the chrome powder literally sparkling and creating a reflective, glass-like finish. Glass nails are an extension of the chrome powder trend from the past few years.
“Chrome powder was introduced many years ago, but was forgotten about due to the trends of the time,” says Zuk. “It first made a global comeback when Hailey Bieber debuted her polish manicure, so you could say that this brought chrome powder back, and it’s here to stay,” says Zuk, explaining that different effects can be achieved depending on the type of chrome powder nail technicians use.
How to get glass nails
Zuk says that achieving glass nails can be tricky: “When doing gel nails, you need to be very precise with your technique, calculating the time it takes for the top coat to cure, which is key to getting the perfect powder application,” says Zuk, and the result is a flawless glass nail.
“Once you have applied your desired base colour to your nails, apply a top coat and cure it under a UV/LED lamp for 20-25 seconds. Make sure the lamp is running on its highest intensity. Next, use an eyeshadow sponge to rub the powder onto the surface of the top coat, buff the free edges and seal with a non-acidic primer. Use a soft brush to remove any dust and apply a layer of top coat to cover the free edges,” she says.
Can I do glass nails at home?
To achieve the glass-like finish of chrome powder, you’ll usually need to apply a no-wipe gel polish, but if you want to achieve a similar look at home, you’ll find plenty of nail polishes that have a chrome effect. “What I always recommend to my clients is to use a Japanese manicure kit (kits can be purchased online). This will make your nails shine like glass, plus they’ll look so much healthier,” says Zuk.
Buy Glass Nail Products
OPI
Bubble Gum Glaze Nail Polish
OPI’s glaze effect nail polish gives your nails a pink mirror-like shine.
QLS
P-Shine Japanese Nail Conditioner Manicure Set 190g
To give your natural nails a glass-like shine, Zuk recommends a Japanese manicure kit like this one .
Copyist
Mirror Effect Powder
This chrome powder can be used at home alongside your regular Manucurist nail polish to achieve the glass nail effect without the need for gel polish.
It’s a great, affordable option for embracing the glass nail trend.
Barry M
Glossy Nail Paint – Very Playful
I will be ordering this chrome effect nail polish soon.
Essie
Special Effects Nail Polish – Cosmic Chrome
Apply Essie Top Chrome Top Coat over bare nails or nail polish to transform your nails into a glass-like finish.
Nails Inc.
Got Me Glowing Shine-boosting Nail Perfector Polish
To create a chrome effect at home, I definitely recommend Nails Inc’s Glowing Out polish.
Beauty Pie
Wonder Color™ Nail Polish
The displayed price is the member price.
This nail polish looks very glass-like on bare nails.
OPI
Glazed ‘N’ Amused Nail Polish
This polish is the closest you can get to a classic polished manicure without having to go to the salon.
