Chrome nails: the quiet luxury trend taking over spring

The shimmer is back, but this time it’s a whisper. Forget the blinding, metallic extremes of recent seasons; soft chrome nails are the new must-have, and celebrity manicurist Kim Truong is leading the charge.

A shift towards understated shine

Season after season, the chrome nail trend has stubbornly persisted. From Dua Lipa’s bold statements to Hailey Bieber’s effortless elegance and Zendaya’s experimental looks, the gilded manicure has proven its staying power. But this spring and summer, a subtle shift is underway. Designers and influencers are embracing a more delicate approach – enter, soft chrome nails.

These aren’t your grandmother’s high-sheen chrome. They’re lighter, more diffused, and pair beautifully with the pastel shades and playful decals defining the season. And at the forefront of this movement is celebrity manicurist Kim Truong, the go-to artist for stars like Addison Rae, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian.

Truong’s ‘sugar chrome starburst’

Truong recently crafted a breathtaking ‘sugar chrome starburst’ manicure for Becky G, a dazzling testament to the trend’s potential. Using Olive and June’s new Chrome Powder Palette set in ‘Sugar Chrome’ and a base of their ‘The Queen Takes Her Tea With Milk’ nude gel polish, she transformed Becky’s nails into miniature celestial landscapes. “I think soft chrome is having a moment because it feels like a natural evolution of the ‘quiet luxury’ aesthetic we’ve been seeing,” Truong explains. “Clients still want something elevated and reflective, but not overly bold or metallic. These softer nudes, baby pinks, and pastels with a chrome finish give that same light-catching effect, but in a way that feels more wearable and effortless—especially for spring and summer.”

Expert opinions on the trend

“Soft chrome offers the best of both worlds: it’s eye‑catching while still being understated,” says Sarah Crespo, Head of Education at The GelBottle. “As trends continue to move toward softer, more natural aesthetics, chrome adds just enough edge to make a look feel intentional rather than plain. Even the most minimal base becomes a statement when you add a delicate chrome finish.” Nail artist Hannah Taylor, who credits Hailey Bieber with popularizing the original look and keeping it going with her latest variations (through her go-to artist, Zola Ganzorigt), echoes this sentiment. “The reflective finish adds dimension and extreme shine, so even the simplest colors feel more luxe and eye-catching.”

Looking ahead: lighter tones and minimalist details

For the seasons ahead, Truong is already seeing a shift toward lighter and more understated tones, like those sheer nudes, milky whites, and soft pinks. “There’s a focus on nails that feel clean, healthy, and polished,” she adds. “It’s about a refined simplicity.”

The secret to the soft chrome effect

Achieving this coveted look is surprisingly straightforward. Truong recommends starting with a sheer or milky base, sealing it with a no-wipe top coat, and then lightly buffing in a softer, more diffused chrome powder. “The key is using a softer, more diffused chrome rather than a high-impact metallic, so it enhances the base color instead of overpowering it,” she explains. “Finish with another top coat to lock in that smooth, glazed sheen.” Crespo champions The GelBottle shades like Blanc, Marshmallow, or Discrete, paired with the brand’s Extreme Shine Top Coat, before adding the Pearl Chrome Pigment. A thicker clear overlay, using Rubber Top, seals the deal. Instagram content showcases the versatility of soft chrome, adaptable to everything from short natural nails to sculpted long shapes.

“Whether it’s a short natural nail, a soft almond, or a long sculpted shape, the finish adapts to the style. It can be worn as a full set for a clean, cohesive look or as an accent for something more dimensional,” affirms Truong. Crespo emphasizes that soft chrome truly shines on clean and modern silhouettes – almond, oval, or short square. “These shapes allow the light-reflective finish to stand out without feeling heavy.” And if you want to add some more personality, consider minimalist nail art and micro‑details like small flowers or stars—you want to elevate the nail without overpowering it. Bryony Howell says she’s “a huge fan of pastels layered with the glazed look. Baby pink (like The GelBottle’s Carrie’s Cosmo) and baby blue (Double Denim) are her client’s favorites. Brighter days are coming, so now’s the time to spring forward into your soft chrome nails era.”

The lasting appeal of chrome

Ultimately, Truong believes the enduring appeal of chrome lies in its ability to add dimension without being distracting. “It catches the light beautifully, elevates even the simplest manicure, and works seamlessly with everything. Soft chrome in particular feels very ‘put together’ without trying too hard.”