After developing a gel nail polish allergy a few years ago (a beauty editor’s worst nightmare, I know, but I have found some good gel nail polish alternatives since), one thing I’ve really felt I’ve missed out on is chrome manis. The glazed nail trend hasn’t gone anywhere, but to achieve the effect, it has to be used with cured gel polish for the chrome effect to work. Whilst there are tonnes of stunning shimmer nail polishes, achieving the glazed effect with nail polish just isn’t quite the same, and applying the chrome powder on regular nail polish doesn’t work too well in my experience.

Manucurist’s Green Flash LED Kit has become one of my favourites for getting a longer-lasting manicure without gel polish (it even cures under an LED lamp), so when I saw that Manucurist also did its own chrome powders that are compatible with its Green Flash polishes, I immediately got my hands on some to try out for myself. And I wasn’t disappointed.

Manucurist Glazed Powders

Coming in an array of shades, Manucurist’s Glazed Powders (£9) work with its Green Flash nail polishes, which cure under Manucurist’s LED lamp (£73). The result is a longer-lasting manicure without gel polish, remaining chip-free for far longer than standard nail polish.

How to Use It

I tried the White Glazed Powder, paired with Manucurist Hortencia (my favourite sheer pink polish from the brand). I applied two coats, curing in between, and then applied the powder on top with the sponge applicator.

After buffing it into the nail, I could see the chrome effect adhering to my nails, and I was so impressed with how it looked. I then used the Manucurist Dust Brush (£22) to sweep away the excess powder around the nail, and finished with the Manucurist Top Coat and cured again to seal it in.

I will say that applying the top coat did disturb the chrome slightly, but my workaround has been to apply a little more of the powder once the top coat has set, and it has held onto the glassy effect brilliantly. It has lasted really well and hasn’t faded or disappeared after washing my hands—the glassy look remains.

My Verdict

There are a few different shades of the glazed powder to pick from depending on the look you’re going for. The white one I used is perfect for a pearly effect, whereas Pink has more of a tint that would look beautiful over a sheer pink or milky polish. Golden has a shimmering champagne hue, and Blue has a stunning aqua-glazed finish that is really unique.

There are so many ways to use them, too, whether you wear them over a sheer polish for a glassy effect, or over a coloured opaque nail colour for a bolder effect. I’m desperate to try them on top of a soft French manicure next. Either way, I’m keeping all the shades on standby for all my chrome manicures from now on.

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