Glass nails are the latest trend that is overtaking polished nails

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 a 5,000% increase in Google searches for “glass nails,” it’s clear that the new chrome nails are replacing glaze nails. But what exactly are glass nails, and how are they different from chrome nails? Famous nail technician, Carolina Zuk (who has done the nails of Rosie Huntington-Whitley, among others) told us about some new nail trends.

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.

“It all started many years ago when chrome powder was introduced, but it was forgotten due to the trends of the time,” he said. Zuk“The first global comeback was when Hailey Bieber debuted her polish manicure, so you could say that this brought back polish and it’s here to stay,” she said, explaining that different effects can be achieved depending on the type of chrome powder that manicurists use.

How to get glass nails

To realize glass nails, technology is necessary. Zuk“When using gel, you need to be very precise with your technique and time the top coat to cure, which is key to getting the perfect powder application,” she says, which will give you a flawless, glass-like finish.

“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), which will give your nails a glass-like shine and make them look so much healthier,” she says. Zuk.