Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Statement Jackets
    • Halloween Nails
    • 'You Can See Everything'
    • London-Girl Style
    • Beauty Advent Calendars
    1. Beauty
    2. Nails

    Rita Ora Just Put a Colorful Spin on the Chrome Nail Trend

    I'll be wearing this design all season long.

    Danielle Jackson's avatar
    By Danielle Jackson
    Published 22 August 2025 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    rita ora
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    ICYMI: chrome nails are slowly taking over and becoming one of fall's biggest nail trends. The futuristic, mirror-like design has dominated Hollywood this year with stars like Keke Palmer, Dua Lipa, and Megan Fox donning everything from jewel chrome nails to 3D gold manicures in recent weeks. At this point, I've seen about a million different ways to wear the chrome trend, yet somehow Rita Ora's colorful chrome manicure still made me do a double take when I saw it.

    Ora's nail tech, Michelle Humphrey, shared a photo of the singer's nails to Instagram on Aug. 21. The photo shows Ora wearing short nails filed into a square shape with a multicolor design and a chrome overlay. Per Humphrey's caption, she named the design "watercolor chrome," and I have to admit that I'm a little obsessed.

    A post shared by Michelle Humphrey 💅🏽 (@nailsbymh)

    Chrome nails have grown in popularity outside of Hollywood as well, even as more classic colors like butter yellow and pink continue to make a splash as popular summer colors. They've blown up, not only because of their reflective finish, but also because the design itself is pretty versatile.

    "The mirrored finish is striking yet incredibly adaptable—you can layer it over any base color to create endless variations, from soft and subtle pearl effects to bold, high-shine metallics," celebrity nail artist Erica De Los Santos told MC previously. "Like velvet nails, they’re timeless in the sense that they don’t feel tied to a single season or trend cycle.

    Chrome nails might sound like they're solely a summer manicure trend, but they can also work during the fall, especially when you're looking for a way to slightly elevate a warmer, all-over color. If you want to use Ora's look as a source of inspiration for your own chrome manicure, keep scrolling for some must-haves to create the look at home.

    You may like
    • collage of chrome nails It's Official: This Optical Illusion Manicure Is the Year's Hottest Nail Trend
    • red and white polka dot nails shot close up on a woman's hands over a checkered purse and white sweater sleeves Summer's Most Elegant Fashion Trend Looks Even Better On Your Nails
    • a collage of three women with dramatic makeup wearing manicures in pink, red, and chrome with close ups of manicures with bottles of nail polish I’m Swapping My Cat Eye Nails for This Elevated Fall Alternative

    Colorfx by Impress Press on Nails - Blissful Radiance

    imPRESS
    Colorfx by Impress Press On Nails
    $11
    SHOP NOW

    A great way to achieve a multicolor look at home is to grab an ombré press-on nail. These in particular are glueless to be easier on your natural nail.

    Premium Press-On Nail Kit

    Glamnetic
    Premium Press-On Nail Kit
    $20
    SHOP NOW

    Another ombré option, this reusable, mess-free set starts with a glossy nude base that blends into a soft lilac color at the tips.

    Olive & June, Instant Mani Press-On Nails

    Olive & June
    Instant Mani Press On Nails
    $9
    SHOP NOW

    This press-on set comes with non-damaging glue that makes the removal process slightly easier. The nails themselves can also last up to two weeks with proper care.

    Glamnetic, Lilac Steel Press-On Nails

    Glamnetic
    Lilac Steel Press On Nails
    $18
    SHOP NOW

    This shade is perfect for anyone who wants a traditional color with a bit of edge.

    oliveandjune,

    Olive & June
    Bounce Back Chrome Press On Nails
    $11
    SHOP NOW

    If you're looking for something on the brighter end of the spectrum, orange is a year-round favorite, and the chrome overlay adds something fun to the overall look.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Danielle Jackson
    Danielle Jackson
    Social Links Navigation
    Former Senior Beauty Writer

    Danielle Jackson is the former senior beauty writer at Marie Claire. She has nearly a decade of experience covering beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment and was previously the senior beauty editor at Women's Health, where she thoughtfully covered topics related to skincare, haircare, aesthetics, and wellness. Before that, she spent three years as an assistant beauty editor at PS, and in the years since, her work has appeared in titles like Vogue, InStyle, Glamour, and more. Danielle graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in English, and has lived in Brooklyn for almost ten years. When she's not writing, you can find her reading romance novels and talking about sunscreen. You can find her on Instagram @danielleknecole.

    Read more
    a collage of six images featuring burgundy green and brown nail designs and a coffee
    Nails Consider Me Officially Short-Nail Curious for Fall The week's best manicure inspiration makes short so chic.
    By Siena Gagliano
    a model wearing nail dark, moody nail polish next to two polishes in black and silver
    Nails Forget Animal Ears—I'll Be Wearing These Halloween Nails for the Entirety of Spooky Season Match your mani to your costume.
    By Catharine Malzahn
     
     
    two collage images of cobalt blue nails and blue nails with gold detailing
    Nails I’m Officially Committing to This Unexpected Nail Color Until the New Year Can you guess what it is?
    By Hannah Baxter
    mismatched nail art with tortoiseshell zebra print plaid and green and gold details
    Nails Pattern Play, Chartreuse, and Animal Print Are Hands-Down My Favorite October Nail Trends I'm all-in on fall manis.
    By Siena Gagliano
     
     
    Latest in Nails
    mismatched nail art with tortoiseshell zebra print plaid and green and gold details
    Nails Pattern Play, Chartreuse, and Animal Print Are Hands-Down My Favorite October Nail Trends
    collage of blue nails
    Nails I Never Thought a Blue Nail Design Could Look This Elevated
     
     
    a six-image collage of three fall pedicure inspiration images alongside three fall nail polish shades
    Nails Sorry to My Boots, But These Pedicure Shades Deserve an Open-Toe Moment
    two collage images of cobalt blue nails and blue nails with gold detailing
    Nails I’m Officially Committing to This Unexpected Nail Color Until the New Year
     
     
    Latest in News
    Zoë Kravitz wore Adidas Samba sneakers on the set of Die Alive in New York City
    Celebrity Style Zoë Kravitz's $100 Adidas Sambas Prove Her 'Die Alive' Character Is a Sneakerhead
    Princess Kate foldling clothes at a charity shop next to a woman
    Royals Princess Kate Is "Just a Girl" in a Sweet Moment with a Fan
     
     
    Meghan Markle posing next to a table in a white dress
    Royals Meghan Markle Expands Into an Unexpected Category with As Ever
    Princess Kate holding an umbrella, walking next to Prince George and Prince William
    Royals Princess Kate Reveals Her School Break Plans With Prince George
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.