Red Chrome Nails: How to Get a Metallic Blood Red Mirror

Red chrome · 6 steps · powder step needs no lamp

Red chrome turns a cured top coat into polished metal. Dark Red reads like blood. True Red Pink reads bright and wet. The powder step needs no lamp.

1. 1

   Base coat

   File, buff and wipe the nail, dehydrate with pH Bond, then apply and cure a quality base coat.

   TipA smooth nail gives the smoothest mirror.

2. 2

   Color underneath

   Apply and cure the gel color you want under the chrome. Super Black gives the deepest, bloodiest red. A white or nude ground makes a brighter red.

   TipCure the color fully so the powder sits on a firm surface.

3. 3

   Top coat

   Apply a smooth no wipe top coat, such as Diamond No Wipe Top Coat, and cure it. This is the surface the powder rides on.

   TipA fully cured, no wipe surface is the base of every chrome finish.

4. 4

   Pat on the pigment

   Pick up a small amount of Chrome Effect 15 Dark Red or 16 True Red Pink on a sponge or silicone applicator. Pat it onto the cured top coat. No lamp for this step.

   TipOne or two passes is usually enough. Take less than you think you need.

5. 5

   Seal it

   Brush Chrome Top over the powder and cure to lock in the metallic finish.

   TipChrome Top is made to seal chrome, mirror and pigment powders.

6. 6

   Finish with shine

   Add a final glossy no wipe top coat if you want extra gloss, cure, and finish with cuticle oil.

   TipKeep top coats thin so the mirror stays crisp.

Red chrome and the base to put under it

Chrome Effect 15 Dark RedMSRP $15.50

Chrome Effect 16 True Red PinkMSRP $15.50

Chrome Base Natural BlackMSRP $10.95

Chrome TopMSRP $10.95

Soak Off Gel - Super BlackMSRP from $9.00

Chrome Effect Set, 36 shadesMSRP $504.00