Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve seen the chrome nails trend rock the internet for the past few months. It’s one of the most popular and striking manicures looks to revolutionize your nail game. Not only does it look gorgeous, striking, and luxurious, it’s actually uncomplicated and inexpensive to achieve! Chrome nails are a style that everyone who enjoys pretty and dazzling manicures should try at least once. There are a million and one ways to do chrome nails, so it is a trend that is bound to be loads of fun.

Chrome nails are a metallic, high-polish manicure style that takes reflectiveness and high-polish to new levels. Instead of a traditional metallic nail polish, chrome polish isn’t actually a polish at all. In order to achieve the chrome look, you use a normal base color with a chrome powder applied to them. The effect you get from this layering process is a finish that almost looks like a 3D reflection of light. It’s smoother than glitter and more sparkly than a metallic polish. It’s the best of every world if you love glamour. Depending on what powder you use and how you apply it, you can get anything from a holographic to a mirrored effect.

Chrome powders are a little more difficult to apply than a polish, but it’s a technique that absolutely anyone can learn to do with a little effort. Powders can be applied gently with a sponge applicator, whereas you can do some looks by simply dunking the entire nail in the powder. Since you layer chrome powders over a regular base nail polish, you have an unlimited variety of possibilities for your own chrome powders! You can put pink powder over a pink polish, or you can mix colors for an extra unique look! If you need a little inspiration, we’ve gathered a collection of 50 cute easy nail designs inspired by chrome for you to start trying ASAP. Time to try something new instead of the usual burgundy nails!