There’s something next level about a metallic nail. Whether it’s the shine, the actual feel of wearing a more luxe-looking polish, or the enhancement it gives to regular nail designs, we’re in love! The shimmery shades are perfect when you want a bit of high class to your daily routine. Far from being muted, metallic nails are glaringly shiny, leaving your nails with a reflective, mirror-like surface. And, of course, they’re also the perfect complement to any date night or girl’s night out shenanigans!
If you love eye-catching styles, a metallic nail polish is calling your name. You’ve no doubt seen silver and gold metallic nails, but this type of polish actually comes in every color you could want. (Peep #10 on our list!) If you don’t have a metallic nail polish, pick one up in your favorite shade at your local beauty supply or drugstore. Hint: black and silver go with anything! If you already have a metallic polish in your collection, take this article as a hint to buy it some friends!
Below we’ll show you some of our favorite ways to wear metallic nails.
How Do You Do Metallic Nails?
Metallic designed nails are not hard to do. In fact, you can treat them like any other nail polish. Here is a step-by-step direction for getting these beauties on your nails.
Apply Base Coat: The first step is to prepare the nail and make it ready to accept the several layers of polish. Start by applying a layer of strong base coat, so that the subsequent layers of nail paint adhere well to the nail. Let the layer dry out completely.
Apply the Metallic Nail Paint: Now apply a thin layer of the metallic nail paint. Make it a three-stroke process, viz. pull a flat stroke down the middle of the nail, followed by a stroke each to the right and the left. Make sure that the strokes do not overlap, as that can leave behind lumpy spots. Allow this layer to dry out. Follow this with another layer of the nail paint, in similar strokes and let it dry.
Apply Top Coat: Seal the paint with a layer of the topcoat. Your metallic designed nails are done and sparkling!
Top 10 Ideas for Metallic Designed Nails
There are many ways to wear metallic nails and the colors are varied in addition to being stunning! Just try picking one favorite out of these 20 awesome metallic nail designs.
We love a deep shade of purple, sweet as a plum! The metallic gives this glossy, feminine color a real shine and looks fabulous on long almond shaped nails.
If you’re all about unique nail designs, you’ll love a glam long stiletto nail. Most of the nail is painted nude, complementing the dark skin tone here, but the ends are tipped in metallic olive green.
A classy red gets an update when it’s metallic instead. Wear the sexy shade on long square nails and you’ll feel like a queen. A few dark-colored crystals at the cuticle adds to the design’s glitz.
Who would’ve ever thought to pair a metallic dark blue with mint green? These long square nails prove that a light zig zag colors works with an edge on a dark base.
Another color combination we never would’ve thought to put together are metallic orange and white! Instead of harsh white lines, however, try patting on fluffy white clouds.
When your short square nails are a light metallic blue, we bet you’ll feel that burst of coolness each time you look down. Leave them plain like this or add a thin black tip for definition.
Show the world your sleek personality whether it’s Halloween or not with a metallic black nail. On long stiletto nails, we love how classy black is, just like you!
There’s something refreshing about a metallic white nail. You’ll no longer be ashamed of short nails when you touch them up with a rounded shape and add a few gold charms for a 3D design.
Whether you just love all the colors of the rainbow or you’re looking for a fall nail design, mix your metallic colors on long stiletto nails. Charm them up with small crystals lining the cuticle.
11. The Mirror Effect
The mirror effect is something that comes automatically with all nails. What we mean here is that your nails look literally like a mirror. A silver-tinted metallic nail paint creates this effect beautifully. You can actually see your face on your these nails!
Some metallic nail paints are so designed as to glow with different hues when the light falls on them a certain way. With a whitish or ivory base, this effect makes your nails look like they are made of chips of mother-of-pearl.
13. Matte and Metal
Some of you may find all metallic art nails to be too much, with all the glare and the shine. In that case, you may choose to tone down the effect by using matte-finish nail paints on some of the nails and metallic nail paints on the others. The matte-effect effectively blunts out the glare of these nails.
14. Metallic French Manicure
You can never go wrong with a French manicure. However, some of you may complain that it can get a tad dull, especially if you are headed for the party. For french manicure aficionados, metallic nails can be quite an interesting experience. Instead of the nude nail shade, you can choose a dark metallic shade and paint the tip of the fingernail in ivory. Alternatively, you can leave the tip in a metallic shade while the rest of the nail is matte. If you like it, you do the whole nail in metallic nail paint.
15. Metallic with Rhinestones
This one is for those who know how to up the oomph. Metallic nails in themselves are flashy enough but if you are reaching for eye-grabbing, we suggest embellishing your nails with rhinestones. Complement this with chunky jewelry and eyes will follow you everywhere.
16. Shattered Glass Nails
Shattered glass is an up-and-coming trend these days. It does create quite a dramatic effect and can be brought about by practically any kind of nail paint. However, this style looks best with metallic nail paints. The breakage, however, serves to deaden the glare a bit, so those of you who like it flashy, this may not be your style.
You need not look next-gen with chrome nails. Metallic nails have the option of colors. If you want to make a statement and look cute, pick metallic rose gold nails. They really make the nails look factory-polished and doll-like.
18. Glitter and Metallic
Not exactly like rhinestones, glitter can be used to add texture to metallic art nails. Adding glitter to these nails may not always work though. One way is to pair the metallic with some matte ones. The glitter nail can be added to the matte portions. The closer the shade of the glitter to that of the metallic nail paint, the more coherent the look.
19. Patterned Nails
While metallic nails are a statement in themselves, you can choose to make them more unique by adding a simple pattern on them. A flowery pattern in black is a very subtle way of adding class to metallic designed nails. You should, however, avoid heavy designs as that steals the thunder of the metallic nail paint.
20. Negative Space Metallic
Your nails can be all and none at the same time! Negative nail art using metallic nails paint is a great way of appearing both cool and classy. Since negative nail art hinges on minimalism, the use of metallic nail paints helps to make that small portion of art eye-popping enough.
Lovers of metallic nails paint are spoilt for choices. There are far too many ways in which you can use these nail paints and however basic may the application be, they never fail to grab eyeballs. So you go, girl, and dazzle the world!
Naima is a fashion enthusiast with a Marketing degree who also happens to be very much into digital marketing! She is always constantly on the lookout for new nail trends and styles. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her peers, reading, and watching series, and movies.
Bling nail designs are something every lady wants every now and then. Crystals, eye-catching charms, glitter polish, and sparkly sequins are key for feeling ritzy and glitzy.
