Celestial Nails: Green and Gold Isolated Chrome Nail Art Tutorial

Stars, suns and a touch of magic: these green and gold celestial nails are a beautiful way to try isolated chrome. The set pairs deep green Cyanide with isolated gold chrome, and across the five nails you'll find raised 3D squiggles, a starry French tip, a chrome rose, a large star and a sun design.

Every design uses the same clever principle. The green base is sealed with top coat and buffed, so when you paint your details in Serious Black and buff gold chrome over them, the chrome only clings to the design. The result is crisp, mirror-like gold artwork floating on a rich emerald background.

Celestial nails have a mystical, luxurious feel, and the deep green and gold palette makes this set look especially rich. Each nail features a different motif, so the set feels considered and varied while still tying together perfectly through the shared colours.

The raised elements add another layer of interest. Clear as Day Builder Gel creates 3D squiggles and a domed sun, so the gold catches the light from different angles. And because the chrome is isolated, there's no messy cleanup across the whole nail – just clean gold where you want it.

Apply Cyanide and cure for 60 seconds, then apply a second coat and cure.

Apply Top Coat, cure for 60 seconds, then buff over it. This acts as a barrier between the green and the chrome, so the chrome powder only sticks to your design.

On the first nail, use Clear as Day Builder Gel to create a raised border all the way around the nail, then add some squiggles for texture – they don't need to be perfect. Go over all the builder gel with Serious Black, which is ideal for gold or silver chrome.

Buff the gold Holographic Chrome Pigment Powder into everywhere you placed Serious Black, then finish with Top Coat.

On the next nail, after the same base steps, draw a French tip in Serious Black and cure for 60 seconds so it doesn't smudge. Use a dotting tool to place small dots randomly around the nail, then drag four points out from each to create stars. Cure for 60 seconds, buff gold chrome over the design, wipe away excess with a dusting brush and top coat.

On the next nail, use a very small detail brush and Serious Black to draw curved lines from the middle outwards, wrapping slightly around each other to form a rose. Cure, then apply chrome and top coat.

On another nail, paint a French tip and a dot in the centre, then drag lines out from the dot to create a much larger star in the centre of the nail.

For the last nail, after the same base steps, paint a sun design in Serious Black and add a dot of Cyanide in the centre. Cure, then use Clear as Day Builder Gel to create a raised effect over the nail and finish with top coat to complete your celestial nails.

• Buff for isolated chrome. Curing and buffing the top coat leaves nothing for the chrome to cling to except your design.
• Use black under gold chrome. Serious Black gives the best result under gold or silver chrome.
• Cure between details. Curing the French tip for 60 seconds stops it smudging while you paint the next element.
• Don't chase perfection on the squiggles. The raised squiggles are there for texture, so they don't need to be perfect.

Celestial nails like these suit anyone who has tried a little nail art before and wants to explore isolated chrome. The individual designs range from very simple, such as the starry French tip, to more detailed, like the rose, so you can build your skills as you work across the set.

For nail techs, it's a stunning set to offer clients who love mystical, boho or luxe styles. The deep green and gold work beautifully in autumn and winter, and you can easily pull individual designs out as accent nails for a simpler service.

Once you're confident with the method, you can switch up your celestial nails using the same products and steps:

• Repeat your favourite motif, such as the starry French tip, across every nail.
• Add more or fewer dotted stars around the nail for a busier or more minimal look.
• Use Clear as Day Builder Gel to add a raised effect over other designs, as on the sun nail.
• Choose two or three of the designs and leave the remaining nails as plain glossy Cyanide.

A little aftercare goes a long way with any gel set. Apply cuticle oil regularly to keep the skin around the nails hydrated, and wear gloves when cleaning or washing up. Avoid using your nails as tools, and don't pick or peel at the gel, as this can damage the natural nail underneath.

Chrome details can be more delicate than plain gel, and raised elements can catch on things, so treat your nails with a little care. When it's time for a change, have the gel removed properly rather than peeling it off.

Apply Top Coat over the green, cure for 60 seconds and buff over it. This acts as a barrier, so the chrome powder only sticks to the Serious Black design.

Serious Black is ideal for gold or silver chrome and gives the best result underneath the powder.

Use Clear as Day Builder Gel to create a raised border around the nail and add squiggles for texture, then go over all the builder gel with Serious Black before buffing in the chrome.

Use a dotting tool to place small dots randomly around the nail, then drag four points out from each dot to create stars.

With a rich Cyanide base, gleaming gold chrome and raised 3D details, these celestial nails are truly magical. Watch the full video tutorial above, gather the products listed, and try your hand at isolated chrome.