8 Best Mirror Effect Nail Polishes For Glassy Nails In 2023
Achieve bedazzled nails with these long-lasting and chip-free nail paints.
Nyssa GreenMakeup Artist
Expertise: Makeup
Experience: 20 years
Nyssa Green is an Emmy award winning makeup artist and a trusted beauty and lifestyle expert with over 20 years of experience. Her diverse portfolio of clients includes celebrities from all walks of life, like Alicia Keys, Bono, Jane Fonda,... more
Srijani Roy Chowdhury Certified In Makeup Artistry, Certified Style & Image Consultant
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Srijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
Srijita DeCertified Style & Image Consultant
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Experience: 2 years
Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in ... more
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You must have heard about the glossy shine, but glassy, mirror manicure nails are the newest nail trend for that luxurious mirror effect. Matte nail polishes are a treat, but sometimes, it is nice to bling it up with the best mirror nail polish. Having bedazzled nails can be quite demanding and time-consuming, with all the beady jewelry. So, when you have less time to look your absolute best, nails with a glitzy finish are your answer. The metallic manicure and look are quite attractive and are far from anything basic.
A silvery or golden sheen with a reflective finish goes with all kinds of outfits. Whether you wear them with some basic shirt plus jeans combo or wear them with a sexy bodycon dress, these nail polishes never fail to impress. The formulas are luxurious, and the application process is very smooth and effortless, making it easy to apply even as a DIY option. Get your own chrome look by choosing from these 8 best shimmery nail polishes for that glassy effect, giving you a mirror for nail art that appears salon-quality.
In This Article
Top 8 Mirror Effect Nail Polishes Of 2023
1. Best Waterproof:SANTEE Mirror Effect Nail Polish Color Shine
For an ideal chrome effect, the SANTEE Mirror Effect Nail Polish Color Shine is available in 3 shades with a metallic finish. The special effects nail formula dries quickly without requiring UV/LED light and can also be removed easily with a regular nail polish remover. This mirror effect nail polish applies seamlessly and gives your nails a futuristic look. The nail polish not only dries quickly and offers complete coverage in one coat but also settles as a waterproof and chip-resistant finish that adds to the lasting color that this formula provides. This mirror effect nail color is an absolute must-have and is available in shades like silver, gold, and champagne. Reviewers highly recommend this nail color for its stunning and long-lasting chrome effect.
Pros
- Glossy shine
- Dries quickly
- Seamless application
- Waterproof
- Chip-resistant
Cons
- It can leave behind streaks if not applied carefully
Quick tip2. Best Environmental-Friendly:Craney Metallic Nail Polish- Silver
If you’re looking for a mirror effect nail polish that is vegan and environmentally friendly, the Craney Metallic Nail Polish in Silver is ideal for you. With a non-toxic formula and healthy ingredients, this mirror effect nail polish is easy to use and delivers exceptional degrees of shine. The silvery-paste shade is lasting and gives your nails the ease of wearing regular nail polish with a gel lacquer finish. The color-resistant and flexible nail polish will provide you with a smooth appearance that is safe from scratches or dents. For a shine that lasts up to 14 days, this brilliant finish nail polish gives your nails a professional salon-like look.
Pros
- Environmental-friendly
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Waterproof
- Fade-resistant
Cons
- Some may find the polish to be too thick.
3. Best Fast-Drying:Eternal Nail Enamels Set OF 4 – Light Nudes
Image: Eternal The Eternal Nail Enamels are available in 4 shades, including Turn The Page, Chocolate, Dark Nude, and Stay Nude. The fast-drying nail polish is free from up to 12 harmful ingredients, including toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, parabens, gluten, and more. The neutral shades come with a mirror shine and enhance the appearance of your nails. Reviews highly recommend these neutral shades as statement-making choices. The pigmented nail polish gives you high coverage with a glossy finish that adds to the chic and flattering look you’re going for. Nyssa Green, an Emmy award-winning makeup artist says, “I love these colors! They’re the perfect nudes for women of color.”
Pros
- Fast-drying
- Long-lasting formula
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Available in 4 shades
Cons
- It may peel off easily.
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 4,847 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
4. Best Chip-Resistant Formula:Essie Mirror Metallics Nail Polish – No Place Like Chrome
Image: Essie The No Place Like Chrome mirror effect nail polish by Essie is a silver ultra-metallic nail polish that lets you make a sophisticated style statement. For a high-gloss shine, this chrome nail art lacquer delivers flawless coverage along with a lasting and durable finish. Additionally, this product can enhance your skills in makeup artistry. It also comes with an application brush that suits all nail sizes and makes for a streak-free look. The chip-resistant formula also ensures that this mirror effect nail polish lasts longer on your tips. The best part of this polish is that it is also free from toluene, DBP, and formaldehyde. Check out this video review of the mirror metallic nail polish and the reviewer’s experience of using it for more information.
Pros
- Chip-resistant formula
- Glossy shine
- Smooth application
- Flawless coverage
- Durable color
- Easy-to-apply
Cons
- The polish may have a thick consistency that can cause clumps or streaks.
5. Best For All Nail Types:Queen Fingers Mirror Nail Polish Set – Shimmery
Available in shades like gold, silver, champagne, and rose gold, the Queen Finger Mirror Nail Polish has a high-quality shimmery finish. You can also combine this mirror metal nail polish with chrome powder to get an effective mirror effect. Suitable for natural nails, fake nails, or acrylic tips, this long-lasting nail polish is durable and quick-drying. You may even add nail varnish to ensure that your manicured nails last long with this nail treatment.
Pros
- Suitable for personal and professional use
- Quick-drying
- Durable and long-lasting
- High-quality shimmer finish
- Available in many shades
- Ideal for all nail types
Cons
- This product is not FDA-approved.
- You may have to apply more than one coat to get a lustrous look.
6. Best Glossy Finish:Miss Cheering Healthy Nail Color – Silver
The Miss Cheering Healthy Nail Color is best used in combination with a base coat or a topcoat for a classic nail look. This professional quality nail polish contains ingredients that give you a glossy and long-lasting nail color for the perfect reflective nails. Create unique nail designs using this quick-drying formula that offers you holographic nails. The bright and long-lasting silver mirror nail polish also comes in various shades like white, beige, ivory, and black, allowing you to choose one that best suits your outfit or mood.
Pros
- Bright and long-lasting color
- Peelable formula
- Glossy finish
- Multiple shades to choose from
Cons
- Some may find the consistency to be watery
7. Best Water-Based:Queen Fingers Mirror Nail Polish Set – Metallic
This chrome mirror effect nail polish will spruce up your nails with a radiant glow. The metallic nail polish comes in 4 shades, including gold, silver, champagne, and rose gold, so you have options to choose from for different occasions and outfits. The long-lasting color is ideal if you’re looking for a chrome mirror powder effect with this easy-to-use nail polish. The water-based mirror chrome nail polish is not only harmless to your nail tips but also environment-friendly, making it ideal for those who are looking for a safe yet stylish option.
Pros
- Comes in 4 shades
- Long-lasting
- Easy-to-use
- Water-based
- Environment-friendly
Cons
- It may take a while to dry completely.
8. Best Easy-To-Use:ella+mila Nail Dream Polish – Mirror Mirror
Image: Ella Mila This 7-free wonder is genuinely a grab! Get the most reflective and healthy nails with the ella+mila nail polish in the shade Mirror Mirror. The vegan nail color will give you shiny and glossy nails whenever you need them! Give yourself a glamorous manicure right from the comfort of your home with this easy-to-use nail polish. What’s more, the PETA-certified cruelty-free policy also gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you contribute to the environment as you paint your nails with this trendy polish. Nyssa Green says that this beautiful color is ideal for brides!
Pros
- Fast-drying
- Chip-resistant
- 7-free formula
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- It may peel off easily
Quick tipMirror-effect nail polish gives you a gorgeous, glass-like mirror finish. Mirror Effect Nail Polish comes in a variety of colors, textures, and finishes. The look will make your nails pop and last long. But before you go out and buy one, there are a few things that you might consider. Check out the buying guide below.
What To Consider When Buying Mirror Effect Nail Polish – Buying Guide
Shade: Look for a nail polish that compliments your skin tone. Nail polish with colors pink or blue pastels is great for a pale complexion. Avoid dark shades of colors for pale complexion since they create unwanted contrast. Any shades of polish would work well with a fair skin tone. For a tanned skin tone, bright colors are ideal for enhancing your complexion. Avoid red or navy blue shades and opt for either gold or peach for an olive skin tone. Deep, dark, and lighter shades are great for dark skin tones.
Outfit: Opt for color according to your outfit. If you are wearing a bright-colored item, opt for light shades. Avoid dark shades of colors for brighter outfits. Dark shades will suit darker-colored outfits. At times, the blue base color gives a great look when worn with a green or blue workwear outfit.
Quality: Make sure the nail polish is of good quality. A good quality nail polish lasts long, doesn’t chip easily, and gives you a perfect mirror finish. The higher the quality of the product, the safer it is for the nails. It may be worth spending extra money on quality nail polish that lasts longer.
No-No Ingredients: Some harsh chemicals are common in many nail polishes, like formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP. Plus, you can also find camphor and parabens. Needless to say, the more harsh chemicals you can avoid, the better it is for the health of your nails.
We’ve got you covered with our curated list of metallic mirror shine nail polish, whether you want mirror nails, a chrome finish, or a more textured and shiny look. With fast-drying formulations that last a long time, these nail polishes will add to your glam quotient. If you’re wondering how to apply and remove mirror effect nail polishes easily, we’ve got your back!
How To Apply Mirror Effect Nail Polish
- Step 1: Clean and prep your nails with a good base coat
Wash your hands and wipe away any old nail polish you were wearing with some nail polish remover before filing and shaping your tips. Prepare your nails for the mirror effect nail look with a solid gel base coat. Don’t forget to allow the base to dry for up to 2 minutes.
- Step 2: Buff on the chrome powder
With a brush, gently buff the chrome powder onto your gel nails, or simply apply the reflective nail polish for the same results. You can also specifically use a mirror gel nail polish after using a nail tool to avoid the hassle of messy chrome powders.
- Step 3: Clean away residue
When you’ve applied the loose chrome powder on all your nails for a classic chrome nail accent, brush away the remaining powder around the nails. When using liquid nail polish, make sure to be careful not to let any extras getaway.
- Step 4: Apply a topcoat
If you’re looking for smooth and long-lasting results, apply a double topcoat or a transparent topcoat for the best shine.
How To Remove Mirror Nail Polish
- Step 1: Get your remover ready
Soak a soft cotton pad with acetone or nail polish remover.
- Step 2: Remove nail polish
Rub the cotton pad gently over your nails in regular circular motions to remove the nail polish. Do this for about 2 minutes, or until the color has worn off completely.
- Step 3: Massage and nourish nails
You can also finish the removal process by massaging your cuticles with a nourishing oil like castor oil to ensure that your nail remains healthy and shiny until you want to indulge in a new nail color.
The Bottom Line
Glassy nails have been the most recent trend in the manicure industry. Traditional nail polishes provide gloss and matte finish to the nails, but the best mirror effect nail polishes provide you with an attractive glossy finish. These expertly crafted metallic shimmer nail polishes are also available in gold and silver shades to match your statement-making party outfits. They offer long-lasting, chip-resistant wear and do not require UV or LED light to dry. In addition, these listed nail polishes are vegan and cruelty-free. Try the Eternal Nail Enamels for a quick-drying formula that allows for effortless application or the Essie Mirror Metallics Nail Polish for a long-lasting product. However, some nail polishes need a double coat based on the intensity of the color. So, go ahead and pick the best mirror effect nail polishes you love to add to your collection.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Srijani Roy Chowdhury, the author, is a beauty and makeup enthusiast, who loves experimenting with new looks and trends. Mirror nail polishes are a rage among the millennials and therefore, the author presents you with the list of the best options available in the market. She has gone through numerous customer feedback on trusted e-commerce sites to curate this list. The products are water-proof, chip-resistant, and quick-drying formulas that offer great coverage and last long.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mirror nail polish?
Mirror nail polish, when applied with regular nail polish and a top coat, dries to a gorgeous, glass-like mirror finish.
How long does mirror nail polish last?
Most brands of mirror nail polish lasts up to 14 days
Why are my chrome nails chipping?
Applying the chrome powder too thick may prevent a complete cure, which will cause chipping or peeling. Instead, use a primer or base coat and just enough product to avoid chipping off polish.
Can you put chrome powder on regular polish?
Yes, some brands of chrome powder can be used on regular nail polish.
How do you use mirror effect powder?
Mirror powder is applied on UV gel nail polish and cured under UV light.
Are mirror nails in style?
Yes, mirror nails are very much in style for their chrome-style finish and mirror-like look.
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