How to Get Chocolate Chrome Nails, Hailey Bieber’s Go-To Fall Manicure

In the unending trend cycle, there’s one fall manicure that has been trending every year for almost half a decade: chocolate chrome. “I think the secret behind the popularity of chocolate brown shades with chrome powder is how they give a familiar color palette a completely new look,” Los Angeles-based nail artist Vikki Swan says. “Chrome creates a beautiful wet-look effect with delicate shine and soft reflections.”Our Lady of Unending Nail Inspiration, Hailey Bieber, has been a fan of brown chrome nails for years: She went with more of an iced latte shade in September 2022 (the same month she wore the cooler taupe version in the photo below) and I found evidence of her wearing a deeper chocolate glaze in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and, most recently, about a month ago. Bieber is known for her clean-girl aesthetic, which brown chrome definitely can fit into, but when done with a dark base polish the look can feel almost edgy—more glam rock than soft girl.@haileybieberThat’s all to say, chocolate chrome nails are versatile, with about a million variations that look great on every nail length and skin tone. Here, some expert tips for getting the look yourself, plus a handful of inspiration photos to bring to the salon.What are chocolate chrome nails?“Chocolate chrome” follows the time-honored tradition of naming beauty looks after food, but these manicures are simply brown nail polish (usually gel) with chrome powder on top. Still, that basic combination can lead to some very decadent final results. “Chocolate chrome takes the richness of espresso and transforms it into the shine of molten jewelry,” says Tucson-based nail artist Max Estrada. “It's glamorous, seductive and beautifully indulgent.”Estrada sees this year’s chocolate chromes as emblematic of a larger beauty trend. “I'm seeing a move away from apologetically understated manicures toward luxury that feels almost theatrical,” Estrada says. “Think New York or Paris in 1987 with extravagant faux-fur coats, vintage Schiaparelli, opulent dresses and a cloud of Dior Poison.”What are the best brown and chrome nail polish combos?With so many shades of brown and so many chrome powders to choose from, picking one for your own chocolate manicure can feel overwhelming. The first step is deciding what vibe you want. “Darker browns create a richer, more dramatic effect, while lighter shades give a softer, more delicate finish,” Swan says, noting that she generally prefers browns with a neutral or slightly warm undertone for this.Whether you go with a nearly-black cocoa or a creamy caramel as your base, Estrada recommends chromes that lean more gold than silver: Think champagne, bronze, or copper (though “an airy pearl chrome adds a cooler editorial twist”). Regardless of which color you prefer, Swan says to look for a sheer chrome with a delicate pearlescent finish. “They enhance the depth of the base color without covering or overpowering the original gel polish shade,” she explains.Brown chrome also works well in a mismatched manicure, another example of nails trending toward the theatrical. “Let's be extravagant!” Estrada says. “Mix chocolate chrome with black-cherry velvet cat-eye, deep oxblood French tips, tortoiseshell, baroque gold detailing, sculpted accents and tiny crystals.” Swan also loves brown chrome paired with tortoiseshell and gold. “The key is to stay within a cohesive color palette so the different designs complement each other without making the manicure look too busy,” she says.How to get chocolate chrome nailsWhile it is possible to do chrome over regular polish, the look is more commonly created with a gel set, since the base color needs to be totally dry before you rub the chrome on top. “I recommend applying chrome powder after curing, while the top coat is still warm,” Swan says. “After application, it’s important to seal the chrome thoroughly with a finishing top coat to minimize the risk of chipping and ensure long-lasting results.”Both Swan also emphasizes the importance of having a smooth base under the chrome, which requires thorough nail preparation. “Chrome powder can highlight even the smallest imperfections,” she says. “Proper nail architecture and proportions are essential, along with a high-quality top coat that creates a perfectly smooth surface.”While chocolate chrome can work on any nail length, Estrada thinks they’re especially luxurious on longer tips. “I love these colors on a long structured coffin, exaggerated almond or beautifully sharp stiletto,” he says, noting that long nails make the decadent finish even more striking. “This winter, I want excess, glamour and artistry. Too much is precisely the point!”Chocolate Chrome Nail Inspiration Photos@bara.hoyle@jessicawhitenailartist@vikkinails.la@craftedbyaprince@rizitosstudio@noor.boiko@nailsbykatiedutra@polishedbymckenna@stephanieyianni_Meet the Experts:Vikki Swan is an award-winning nail educator and founder of Vikki Swan Nail Academy in Los Angeles. Max Estrada is a Tucson-based nail artist and founder of nail product manufacturing company eNailCouture.Why trust Cosmopolitan?Kara McGrath is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with over 15 years of experience covering the beauty space and an at-home nail art enthusiast. Both jobs include browsing and saving countless manicure ideas for research, plus chatting with professional artists for insight into current nail trends.Kara McGrath is a writer and editor with over 17 years of experience covering the beauty industry, women’s health, and a wide range of other lifestyle and wellness topics. After most recently serving as content director at Allure (2019-2025) and executive editor at Bustle (2014-2019), she is now fully freelance. In addition to Cosmo, her writing has appeared in Allure, The New York Times, Marie Claire, Business of Fashion, Playboy, NH Magazine, and more. Kara lives in New Hampshire with her dog, four cats, and a rotating cast of foster animals. You can find more of her work at karamcgrath.com.