What happens if you take an ivory-colored polish and top it with a pearlescent chrome sheen? You’ll get vanilla chrome nails: the latest trendy manicure in 2024.
Nail artist Alexandra Teleki of The Hot Blend invented this stunning spin on glazed donut nails. She points out that it looks gorgeous on any skin tone or nail length.
In fact, this nail design has a magical effect. Vanilla chrome nails look different depending on the light. They switch between warm and cozy and clean and silvery. It’s the perfect manicure for any season and elegant enough for special occasions.
Moreover, this is a book that you can create at home with only a few supplies. Let’s talk about how to get vanilla chrome nails.
What’s Needed for Vanilla Chrome Nails?
You’ll only need a few things to do vanilla chrome nails. In a nutshell, here they are:
- Vanilla-colored polish, also known as off-white or ivory.
- Transparent top coat.
- Chrome powder, preferably pearlescent and silvery shades.
That's a general overview. Now, let's get specific so you can save time hunting for the right supplies. Here are our recommendations for the best nail lacquer and gel polish colors, plus chrome powders for vanilla chrome nails.
Best Polish Colors for Vanilla Chrome Nails
There aren’t a lot of polishes with “vanilla” in the name. Instead, search for colors like off-white, ivory, and cream.
Lavis Gel Nail Polish Duo 109 Lotus Petal
This delicious ivory shade comes in gel polish and nail lacquer. It's glossy, chip-resistant, and contains no harsh ingredients that could harm natural nails. As a gel, it looks like new for up to three weeks.
Moreover, it's the perfect base color for a vanilla chrome manicure. All you'll need is a dusting of chrome powder and a glossy top coat to finish.
But don’t stop here. Check out the other beautiful off-white polish colors below.
- LDS GW - 02 - Gentle White Collection
- SNS Gel Nail Polish Duo - SG22 Heirloom Pearls
- Lavis Gel Nail Polish Duo - 145 Cottage Cream
- DND Gel Nail Polish Duo - 856 Ivory Cream
Best Chrome Powder for Vanilla Chrome Nails
Once you’ve got the vanilla-colored base on your nails, you’ll need a dose of chrome powder to get the right amount of gleam. The nail artist who created the original look blended a pearly white powder with a silvery chrome powder. Here are suitable options for similar results.
Aurora Chrome Powder – Pearl
Get ready to fall in love with this chrome powder. The ultra-fine texture makes it easy to apply and polish up like a dream. What’s more, Aurora chrome powder shifts its color depending on the light and the viewing angle.
The non-toxic formula is suitable for beginners and professionals alike. But to get the most from it, it’s best to use gel polish for the base and top coats.
If you love the sleek and shiny finish, check out the whole collection of chrome colors as well as the metallic and holographic powders below.
Aurora Galaxy Chrome - 12
Here's a chrome powder with the ideal silvery-white effect for vanilla chrome nails.
Silver Laser Holographic Chrome Powder - BJ175
Feel free to experiment with creamy white polish and holographic powder for attractive results.
Box 4-in-1 Iridescent Nail Laser Powder 4G09
This powder set is packaged similarly to eye shadow. It comes with two dual-ended sponge applicators for polishing the powder on the nails. The shades include classic gold and silver, as well as pearly white.
Box 4-in-1 Iridescent Nail Laser Powder 4G07
Here’s another selection with powder shades that can warm up or cool down your vanilla chrome manicure.
How to Do Vanilla Chrome Nails in 5 Easy Steps
Vanilla chrome nails are elegant and straightforward. They don’t have a lot of bling to distract the eye from messy cuticles or poorly shaped nails. Therefore, always start with proper nail preparation so that your manicure looks flawless when finished.
Nail Prep
Remove old polish and nail enhancements first, then trim and shape the natural nails. Push back the cuticles and trim hangnails. If your cuticles are overgrown, soak your fingers in warm water for five minutes to soften them. Otherwise, use a commercial cuticle remover to soften the dead skin.
Lightly buff the nail plates and wipe off debris and oil with a nail wipe or rubbing alcohol. Now, you’re ready to apply the base coat.
Base Coat and Color
If you’re using gel polish, apply a neutral or transparent base coat and cure it. Follow with a coat or two of the vanilla-colored polish and cure that.
If you’re using nail lacquer, you may not have a base coat to worry about. Instead, brush on the cream or ivory-colored polish. Make sure that each layer is completely dry before adding the next.
Top Coat
On top of the colored polish, apply a transparent top coat. If you’re doing a gel manicure, it’s best to use a no-wipe top coat and cure it before applying the chrome powder.
If you’re using nail lacquer, a fast-drying top coat is ideal. Let it dry until it's just a little tacky, then move on to the next step with the chrome powder.
Chrome Powder
Ahead of time, experiment with blending a pearl and a silver chrome powder together for just the right finish.
Then, use the applicator brush or sponge to buff the chrome powder onto the top coat. You may need to repeat this step two or three times to get the right amount of coverage.
Top Coat Again
Once you’re satisfied with the look, apply the top coat again and let it dry or cure it. Gel polish will cure in about a minute in a nail lamp. A fast-drying nail lacquer top coat will also dry in a minute or so. But a regular transparent nail polish may take up to 7 minutes or longer if you want to avoid smudging it.
Once you’re satisfied that the polish is completely dry, brush off the excess powder from your fingertips and wash your hands if necessary to remove residue. Apply cuticle oil and show off those beautiful nails!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoy your vanilla chrome nails! This trendy manicure is having a big moment in 2024.
You’re invited to get the most from our sales and deals to stock up on nail supplies today. Plus, check out our new arrivals to see other new nail trends. Remember, we offer complimentary gifts on orders over $35 and free shipping on shipments over $100!