THE CHROME CHRONICLES

 Welcome to this weeks blog post 🌟THE CHROME CHRONICLES🌟

Do you struggle with isolated chrome? Do you need a step by step guide on how to MASTER it?

I have got you covered! 💅

First off, what is isolated chrome?

This is when you want your chrome powder to stick to the design ONLY and NOT to the rest of the nail. We have all been there, trying to isolate the chrome and it just goes everywhere and turns into a HOT MESS 😭

That's enough yapping, let's get into the tutorial...

Product List:

• Builder Gel
• Acetone
• Black non wipe art gel
• Liner brush
• Gold chrome powder
• Top Coat

STEP 1: Apply a Base

Before beginning the design you need to apply a base that you can buff over to the nail. Here, I am using HONA Pure Foundation in the shade POUT. Any builder gel base will work.

STEP 2: Acetone, Buff, Acetone (again)

Once your base is applied and cured you need to wipe the inhibition layer with acetone using a lint free wipe. Once they are no longer tacky, grab and buffer and roughen up every inch of the nail. If you do not etch the entire base of the nail you will risk having chrome stick to the base. After buffing the entire base, wipe the nails thoroughly with acetone using a lint free wipe. This is a KEY step. You need to wipe with acetone or the isolated chrome will not work!

STEP 3: Paint your design

Using a liner brush (here I am using Stripe Liner from TMC) paint your design on to the nail. You need to paint the design using a NON WIPE black art gel. This is another extremely important step and the reason that isolated chrome fails for so many people!

The application of the black art gel does not need to be thick. It can be thinly applied. Your chrome will stick to it either way.


STEP 4: Curing

Once you are happy with the design, place it in the UV/LED lamp and cure it for 30 to 60 seconds. Curing times with chrome can be funny. Sometimes I find if I cure the gel for 30 seconds the chrome sticks a bit better. 

However, if I'm doing isolated chrome French tips, the gems applied in a bigger volume so I prefer to cure for 60 seconds to ensure the art gel is cured the entire way through and isn't going to peel off.

STEP 5: Apply chrome powder

When the design is cured, take a small amount of chrome powder on an eyeshadow applicator. On this set I am using a gold chrome from Amazon. The eyeshadow applicators are also from Amazon. Rub the chrome gently but firmly into the black art gel. It should glide on with ease! If any excess chrome dust scatters over the base of the nail, brush it away with a fluffy dusting brush or dab it with a makeup sponge.

STEP 5: Finishing Touches

After applying the chrome to the art gel you do not need to cure again. Now is your time to add any finishing touches! Here I was painting a cherry so I added the red colour to the fruit. The chrome design I was creating is for the stalk of the cherry. Cure any finishing touches before top coating and sealing!

STEP 6: Top Coat (double!!!)

Do your chrome designs chip? Well, now I am going to tell you why. Chrome designs NEED to be double top coated. Chrome is chalky and chips easily. What works best for me is going in with a base coat on top of the finished design first, curing, then applying a non wipe top coat and curing. 

The same goes for full cover chrome, and I have explained this tip before in my Cherry Cola Chrome nails blog! It is crucial 💅 

Apply some cuticle oil to finish the mani and there you have it. Isolated Chrome MASTERED 🤩

All of your chrome fears busted in one simple step by step tutorial!!! 

💅💖💫😻✨

Any questions, let me know in the comments <3