40 Metallic Nail Designs for a Luxe and Edgy Manicure By Kara Jillian Brown Kara Jillian Brown Kara Jillian Brown is the Beauty Editor of InStyle. She began her career at Well+Good, where she spent five years evolving from Editorial Intern, to News Writer, to Beauty Writer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English rhetoric from Binghamton University and a master’s degree in health and science journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. She is also a certified fitness instructor and teaches barre in Brooklyn. InStyle's editorial guidelines and Daisy Maldonado Daisy Maldonado Daisy Maldonado is a fashion and beauty writer for InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on February 24, 2025 @ 08:14PM Close A model backstage at Kim Shui. Photo: OPI A manicure doesn't have to use an array of different colors or shapes to be bold. Metallic nails offer an easy way to create a bold look that functions like jewelry—you can wear them seamlessly with any outfit. "Metallics are an easy way to add a sophisticated shine or luxe accent to a basic mani," explains celebrity manicurist Fleury Rose. To incorporate metallic into a manicure, she "usually opts for gel polish and gold or silver accents, such as charms or chains." Meet the expert Fleury Rose is a celebrity manicurist who works in New York City and New Jersey. Gina Edwards is a celebrity nail stylist based in New York City. Celebrity nail stylist Gina Edwards loves using chrome powder and magnetic velvet (aka cat eye) polishes. "There are so many different takes on metallic nails, and people are really enjoying it," says Edwards. "It really is cohesive with a lot of outfits." Ahead, browse 40 metallic nail looks. 01 of 40 Metallic Hearts @gossipandgloss These cute metallic details add an extra layer of oomph to a mani. Particularly in love with this red heart outlined in 3D gold—so adorable. 02 of 40 Aura Nails @ceesclaws Aura vibes are all the rages on TikTok. Try out the trend with this black and white color palette and add in some metallic details on the outlines of your nails for some contrast. 03 of 40 Metallic Flames @ceesclaws Metallic pink flames for your next music festival? We think yes. 04 of 40 Coquette @ceesclaws Bows have never looked edgier. This metallic twist gives the dainty French tip manicure a slightly punk vibe in the best way possible. 05 of 40 Stars @ceesclaws Next time you drop by your nail tech, try adding a sparkling star to your thumbs. 06 of 40 Cat-Eye @gossipandgloss Cat-eye is always a moment but this manicure plays around with metallic polishes and details for an eye-catching finish. The gold shade mixed with the silver swirls is the ultimate mixed-metal moment. 07 of 40 Cool Seashells @ceesclaws Summer is calling your name. This metallic seashell manicure is next-level and looks so cool in this silver tone. 08 of 40 Gold Dip ginaedwards_ Edwards created this look for Prabal Gurung's Spring 2024 show in New York City. It uses KISS press-ons as the base for a melted metallic tip. 09 of 40 Molten Lava julieknailsnyc Celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec created this look on Zoë Saldaña for her December 2022 cover of InStyle. The design features a shimmery pewter design over a milky white base. 10 of 40 Silver Circles fleuryrosenails For a simple, yet impactful look, Rose created abstract silver chrome circles on a milky nude base. 11 of 40 Colorful French Tips @ceesclaws Don't want to stick with traditional gold or silver metallic nails? Try out this raspberry shade for a funky twist. 12 of 40 Molten Chrome sugamama_nailz These nails look like they're dripping molten metal, thanks to 3D gel coated in a high-impact silver chrome powder. 13 of 40 Liquid Gold sugamama_nailz Consider this look the sister nail to the Molten Silver look above. It takes the same approach, 3D gel topped with chrome, but instead of using a silver powder, a rich gold was used. 14 of 40 Milky Mirror sugamama_nailz For a funky yet uniform look, this manicure features a milky white base with wiggly panes of silver running down the side of each nail. It's finished with a stack of two tiny pearls at the base of each nail. 15 of 40 Simple Swirl onenailtorulethemall This pink and gold look keeps it simple, with a strong squiggle running across each nail. 16 of 40 Minimalist Chrome sugamama_nailz Metal nails will always be bold, but this look takes a bit of a minimalist approach, adorning the nails with bits of chrome like jewelry. 17 of 40 Gold Leaf mabelyn___ Gold leaf is such a fun and easy way to add a gilded look to your nails. Paintbox creative director Mabelyn Alva created this look using gold leaf on top of a milky white base. 18 of 40 ‘90s Tattoo fleuryrosenails Rose created this look inspired by '90s molten heart tattoos. It features an edgy silver design atop a milky white base adorned with white and silver pearls. 19 of 40 Velvet Taupe disseynails Velvet nails are so fun because the magnetic polish gives each nail its own unique look. This look features a silver with taupe undertones. 20 of 40 Swirled Lines klawsbysonia Bold and striking, this sharp French manicure is accented with silver squiggles. Although the lines are super fine, they add a touch of drama to the look. 21 of 40 Big 3D nailsbymaki.nyc 3D gel was used to create the thick chrome effects on this manicure. The addition of the 3D design contrasts the matte polish really well. 22 of 40 Glitter French klawsbysonia For a sleek, yet sparkling look, a high-shine silver glitter was used to create a super thin French manicure. 23 of 40 Pewter Chrome polishedbymckenna Instead of using the typical bright chrome base, this nail makes use of a deeper pewter shade for a moody metallic manicure. 24 of 40 Spiderwebs @ceesclaws Never did I ever think spiderwebs would be on my nail inspo board, but this set won me over. With the metallic details and ombré polish underneath, it looks like a chic version of your favorite pirate movie. 25 of 40 Chrome Swirls klawsbysonia To get the tip effect without creating tips, this manicure uses a cluster of metallic squiggles toward the tip of each nail. A few of the nails also have little crystals for some added interest. 26 of 40 Double French klawsbysonia By using two thin lines to create a double French, this look is pretty without being too loud. If the space between the lines were filled with glitter, the vibe would be totally different. 27 of 40 Diamond-Studded Nude nailsbymaki.nyc Using a collection of crystals on a sheer nude base is a fun and approachable take on the metallic nail trend. 28 of 40 Micro Tips klawsbysonia This clean look uses silver chrome to create a micro tip. The ring finger on each hand features a cluster of pearls and crystals as if there is a ring on the nail — which is so cool. 29 of 40 Champagne Tips klawsbysonia For a super clean and futuristic French, a champagne chrome powder was applied to the tips of each nail. If you look too fast you may miss the subtle design, and that's what makes it so special. 30 of 40 Reflective Tips gossipandgloss This high-shine look combines a gold chrome French tip with an iridescent, milky base. 31 of 40 Golden Tips klawsbysonia Paired with the stiletto shape of the nail, this gold micro French is super sharp. The chrome powder makes the tip stand out so much. 32 of 40 Mixed Metals mabelyn__ Alva crafted abstract circles on a nude base using a blend of silver and copper chrome for an edgy mixed-metal effect. 33 of 40 Bronzed Chome klawsbysonia Using a gold-hued chrome over a brown polish creates this stunning bronze effect. 34 of 40 Negative Space ginaedwards_ Edwards created this look on herself. It features abstract blobs of silver on a clear base for a simple yet interesting design. 35 of 40 Textured Chrome nailsbymaki.nyc Textured silver, gold, and copper swipes on a sheer nude base create this dynamic manicure. The swipes are different on each nail, which adds another layer of interest. 36 of 40 Thin Lines @gossipandgloss Thin metallic polish lines around the edges of these nails create a negative-space effect that really steals the show. 37 of 40 Down the Middle klawsbysonia This design features a silver chrome detail that extends from the sharp point of the stiletto nail down to the bottom fourth of the nail. 38 of 40 Sparkly French gossipandgloss For a micro French tip with a bit more excitement, you can finish the look with a super-fine glitter. It allows you to appreciate both the sparkle and negative space of the French. 39 of 40 Golden Moments julieknailsnyc Kandalec created this look by making abstract gold shapes on a sheer, nude base. It's a chic and dynamic look. 40 of 40 Gold Leaves polishedbymckenna This design juxtaposes the shine of a gold chrome leaf design with a matte milky white base. Keeping the base matte allows the leaves to really stand out. Read more: Beauty Nails Nail Ideas