From florals and polka dots to gingham and stripes, fashion trends are moving fast this summer. Finding a manicure that goes with every ‘new in’ drop sounds impossible, but Hannah Waddingham’s latest look has it nailed. Enter, the soft chrome manicure.
The Ted Lasso actress, 52, has been showing off a pearly-fresh nail look that really is versatile enough to work with everything in your wardrobe – and anything you’re thinking of buying, too. In new photoshoot images, Hannah’s long nails are filed into a chic almond shape, and the soft pink shade is given a pearly finish that elevates it beyond a run-of-the-mill French polish.
While chrome nails have been around for a while, we’re seeing a huge trend for the subtle, youthful iteration seen on Hannah.
And according to the experts, it’s THE look to book. ‘Chrome nails are still one of the big nail trends for the summer but the look has shifted away from mirror metallic towards softer glossy, light-reflective finishes,’ says celebrity manicurist Jenni Draper, who works with Penelope Cruz, Victoria Beckham, and Hannah herself.
‘A pearly finish over a soft natural pink looks subtle and classy,' says Jenni. It's not as stark as a metallic chrome, it looks delicate and modern, and you can wear it with anything.’
The soft chrome manicure is usually achieved in the salon by adding a chrome powder over a pale pink gel or BIAB, then setting with a clear top-coat. GH is a huge fan of the Townhouse salons' BIAB manicure, finished with a dusting of iridescent chrome powder (our latest one has lasted, chip-free, for almost five weeks, and it's a lovely twist on a French polish too.)
Technically, you can do a chrome manicure yourself, although Jenni advises caution. ‘It’s not an easy trend to do at home and the finish is best when done by a professional,’ she says.
Manucurist Pearlescent nail polish
‘However for an easier, at-home manicure try Manucurist pearly pink/nude nail polish, either on its own or over a solid colour, for a nod to the trend.’
It's pretty, goes with everything, and no fiddly powders to deal with, either.
