The minimalist manicure still has its place, but this summer, nails are getting noticeably shinier. Metallic nails—the high-impact look seen on runways and red carpets—have officially gone mainstream, bringing chrome effects, molten-inspired shades and 2000s-era icy finishes to fingertips everywhere.
According to British jewelry brand PRYA, Google searches for “metallic nails” are up 407 percent in the U.K. over the past quarter, and U.S. search interest appears strong, too. PRYA notes that in recent months, terms including “metallic gold nails,” “metallic nail polish” and “metallic French tip nails” have seen breakout growth of more than 5,000 percent. The timing tracks, given the look’s recent presence on runways, at the 2026 Met Gala and beyond.
Ahead, read everything to know about the summer manicure trend and how to try it for yourself.
Celebrities Wearing Metallic Manicures
At the Met Gala this year, celebrities including Gigi Hadid, Rihanna and Ashley Graham all wore metallic manicures in different forms. “Metallic and iced manicures ranged from bold liquid-metal finishes to softer pearlescent looks with an almost frosted glow,” says New York City editorial manicurist and Paintbox NYC senior artist Nancina Rivera.
“Rihanna’s manicure leaned darker and more dramatic, with reflective chrome finishes that resembled molten metal and polished jewelry, while Hadid’s nails appeared softer and more luminous with a delicate iced effect.”
Chrome can also work as an accent rather than a full-coverage finish. “We also saw chrome used as a design element, like Graham’s manicure, where reflective metallic details were incorporated into the nail art rather than covering the entire nail, creating a more modern and fashion-forward take on the trend,” says Rivera.
Getty Images / Jamie McCarthy (L); Taylor Hill (R)
Why Metallic Manicures Are Trending
Minimalist nail designs aren’t disappearing, but maximalist manicures are clearly having a moment. “Nails have become the statement piece rather than an afterthought,” says Rivera. “People are genuinely starting to treat nails as an art form.”
That shift makes metallics especially appealing. They offer personality and impact without feeling overly complicated or hard to wear. “Metallic nails are becoming increasingly popular because beauty trends are embracing more texture, dimension and reflective finishes again,” says Rivera. “They offer a balance of glamour and wearability, whether it’s a bold mirror chrome, a soft pearlescent ‘iced’ finish, or metallic accents used as part of the nail art itself.”
What started on runways and red carpets has also translated to real-life requests. Rivera says Paintbox has seen “strong interest in metallic-inspired nail designs in-studio” as well as in take-home press-on nails. “We also sell 12 chrome and metallic-inspired styles, including several designs that were launched on the runway at New York Fashion Week,” she says.
How to Get the Look at Home
Whether you prefer full chrome or subtle metallic accents, the look is one of the easiest ways to make a manicure feel more intentional this season. You can ask your nail artist for a reflective finish in the salon, but there are plenty of ways to try it at home, too. “Creating metallic nails is all about layering reflective products and textures to achieve different levels of shine and dimension,” says Rivera.
The products you’ll need depend on the finish you want. “High-shine chrome looks are typically created by applying chrome powder over a cured no-wipe gel top coat, while softer ‘iced’ finishes are achieved using sheer pearl chrome pigments layered over translucent nude, milky or neutral gel bases,” she says. For more detailed nail art, Rivera recommends chrome accents, magnetic cat-eye gels or reflective metallic gel paints, all of which can create a more dimensional, customized effect.
The easiest route, of course, is skipping the powder and polish altogether and reaching for press-ons with a chrome or metallic finish, like the Paintbox x PatBO Press-Ons ($28), for instant shine without the extra steps.
