10 Best Metallic Nail Polishes: Expert’s Picks Of 2024
Get a salon-like finish with these long-lasting and glossy metallic nail shades.
Simone de Vlaming is a beauty expert and founder of Beautymone.com. She specializes in makeup, skin care, fragrances, and nails. Simone decided to start a beauty blog during her graduation to find an outlet for her passion. She also worked as a beauty advisor in a beauty store/perfumery.
Read full bio of Simone de Vlaming
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior to this, she was a part of a digital marketing company in Kolkata where she wrote stories on travel, beauty, and home décor.
Read full bio of Baishali Bhattacharya
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani 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 certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita 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 English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
Read full bio of Srijita De
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The best metallic nail polish shades can give your nails a salon-quality glossy manicure from the comfort of your own home for only a fraction of the cost you would pay elsewhere. Metallic nail polishes are a popular nail trend that come in a variety of vibrant colors, and the best products that can gloss and glam up your nails don’t contain any dangerous chemicals. Simone de Vlaming, beauty expert, says, “Metallic nails are totally on trend in 2024! They have been spotted on the runway, which usually is the starting point of a trend. If you love being on trend, you know what to do! You have to get a metallic polish that provides excellent coverage if you are to successfully pull off the DIY manicure. We have studied and created a list of the top 10 metallic nail polishes on the market right now. Take a look!
In This Article
10 Best Metallic Nail Polishes Available Right Now
1. Best Chip-Resistant:PUEEN Rocking Metallic Nail Polish
The highly-pigmented formula of PUEEN Rocking Metallic Nail Polish is excellent for stamping. You can create clear, sharp images and obtain a clean transfer for stamping thanks to the ideal consistency. Many reviewers have noted that this polish is durable, chip-resistant, and imparts a streak-free finish to the nails. The Rocking Metallic is a shimmery nail polish that also works as a base polish for a beautiful manicure.
Pros
- Shimmery Finish
- Opaque
- 5-free
- Value for money
Cons
- None
"This polish is chip-resistant. It lends my nails a smooth look. I use it for stamping over my black nails. The color looks stunning on its own as well. It does not have any strong odor. It lasts for weeks as well."
2. Best Cruelty-Free:OPI Nail Lacquer – This Color’s Making Waves
OPI Nail Lacquer in the shade This Color’s Making Waves is the best metallic shimmer nail polish. This blue-green lagoon nail color is long-lasting, chip-resistant, and offers exceptional coverage on the nails. OPI Nail Lacquer is available in over 200 shades and provides reflective finish for up to 7 days. It offers long-lasting wear and does not contain formaldehyde or toluene, to give you nothing but glamorous-looking nails.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Chip-resistant
- Offers exceptional coverage
- Provides high-gloss shine
- No formaldehyde and toluene
Cons
- Takes a long time to dry
"I like the rich pigment of this polish. The formula glides smoothly on my nails without clumping or smearing. The color looks striking on my nails. I like that it does not have any strong odor. It also never irritates my cuticles."
Trivia3. Best in Color-Shifting:ILNP Juliette Holographic Nail Polish – Rose Gold
ILNP Juliette Holographic Rose Gold Nail Polish is a durable metallic color nail polish. It is designed to maximize sparkle with a beautiful rose gold finish. This chip-resistant and long-lasting nail polish is made with a high-quality formula. It is expertly crafted with ultra-thin metallic flakes for a smooth but sparkly finish. It is free from harmful chemicals and easy to remove. This gorgeous shade of nail polish offers a glossy and gorgeous rose gold finish and is perfect for festive looks. Check out this video detailing a tester’s experience of wearing this polish to learn more about it.
Pros
- Chip-resistant
- Long-lasting
- Easy to remove
- Smooth and glossy finish
- Non-toxic
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Mediocre packaging
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 4,716 reviews, this product has become a fan favorite among users.
| PUEEN Rocking Metallic Nail Polish Best Chip-Resistant | OPI Nail Lacquer – This Color’s Making Waves Best Cruelty-Free | ILNP Juliette Holographic Nail Polish – Rose Gold Best in Color-Shifting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package Dimensions | 3 x 1 x 1 inches | - | - |
| Weight | 1.9 Ounces | 2.12 Ounces | 2.4 Ounces |
| Color | - | This Color's Making Waves | Rose Gold |
| Dimensions | - | 1.3 x 1.05 x 3.25 inches | 1.06 x 1.06 x 3.15 inches |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | - | 13,805 | 4,716 |
| Price | $5.99 | $10.79 | $10.0 |
4. Best Fast-Drying:KBShimmer Shade Shifter Multichrome Nail Polish
KBShimmer Shade Shifter Multichrome Nail Polish shifts colors from cyan to blue to red-orange to purple based on light and viewing angle. This bold and edgy metallic nail shade gives the best results when applied in 3 coats by itself or in 1 coat over black. It has a flat application brush for easier application than the average nail polishes. It does not contain toluene, formaldehyde, or dibutyl phthalate. Take a look at this video to explore a reviewer’s experience with this polish to get a better understanding of it.
Pros
- Color-shifting polish
- Flat brush for easy application
- Long-lasting
- Formaldehyde-free
Cons
- Average quality
Pro Tip5. Best Gluten-Free:ILNP MEGA Ultra Holographic Boutique Nail Lacquer
ILNP MEGA Ultra Holographic Boutique Nail Lacquer is a high-quality, duo-chrome metallic nail polish, perfect for special occasions and parties. It is completely opaque and does not require a base coat This holographic nail polish is long-lasting and has a fast-drying formula. This silver nail polish is 100% vegan with intense holographic sparkle that lets you strike a chic and stylish look.
Pros
- High-quality
- Long-lasting
- Intense holographic sparkle
- Fast-drying formula
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to use
- Easy to remove
Cons
- Not chip-resistant
TriviaWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 11,668 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
6. Best Glossy Finish:Smith & Cult Metallic Nail Polish
Smith & Cult Metallic Nail Polish is an advanced metallic 8-free nail polish. It delivers vibrant and chip-resistant nail color. Its ultra-adherent base coat prepares the nail surface and maximizes the lifespan of your manicure/pedicure. The product comes from a clean nail polish brand and is formulated without dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, and triphenyl phosphate.
Pros
- Smooth finish
- Long-lasting
- High-shine and glossy finish
- Chip-resistant
- Vegan
- 8-free chemical formula
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Thick and streaky formula
"This polish looks stunning on my nails. The formula offers full coverage to my nails. I like that the polish is not overly sparkly. It lasts for a long time on my nails without chipping. The color also remains vibrant throughout. It does not fade or change."
7. Best Mirror Chrome Finish: Sally Hansen Color Foil Nail Polish
Now get a dramatic, mirror chrome manicure right away! The Sally Hansen Colour Foil Nail Paint is highly-pigmented and offers a full coverage finish in just a swipe. The bottles are color-matched for easy shade navigation. Its high-shine solution provides long-lasting chip-resistance. The statement-making mirror nail polish offers a salon-quality finish for glossy, chrome nails with a metallic shine.
Pros
- Mess-free application
- Quick-drying
- Available in 7 metallic shades
- Value for money
Cons
- None
"I love how shiny my nails look after just one coat of this polish. The silver hue gives my nails a sleek appearance. The formula dries quickly and stays put for weeks. It chips rarely, which is a good thing. The formula also never dries out my nails."
8. Best Vegan:ZOYA Nail Polish
ZOYA Nail Polish is a royal metachromatic metallic nail lacquer. It is vegan and formulated with a Big 10-free breathable formula. This metallic nail polish does not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, camphor, TPHP, parabens, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, or lead. It dries quickly and is chip-resistant, giving you statement nails. What’s more? It is not tested on animals, so you can enjoy a guilt-free experience. It is available in a wide range of blues, purples, pinks, and reds.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Quick-dry formula
- Chip-resistant
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Streaky formula
"This polish dries swiftly on my nails. The purple hue looks gorgeous. I love how healthy and strong my nails look after just one coat of this polish. The formula is toxin-free, so it never dries out my nails."
9. Best For Streak-Free Application: Essie Glossy Shine Finish Nail Lacquer – Good As Gold
Essie Glossy Shine Finish Nail Polish in the shade Good As Gold has a subtle, gold metallic finish. It provides flawless coverage with excellent durability. It comes with an easy-to-glide brush that fits every nail size for streak-free application. Its salon-quality formula gives a long-lasting glossy finish to your nails. Additionally, this polish is free of animal testing and is formulated without 8 toxic chemicals, making it a safe choice.
Pros
- Salon-quality formula
- Easy-to-glide brush
- Flawless coverage
- Glossy finish
- Long-lasting
- No formaldehyde and toluene
Cons
- None
10. Best Cruelty-Free:BeautyGARDE Rocket Nail Polish
The BeautyGARDE Rocket Nail Polish has a deep care formula that heals severely damaged nails’ nail tissue, eliminating unpleasant problems like peeling or splitting. It is enriched with antioxidant-rich, keratin-boosting natural botanicals like horsetail herb and garlic to develop and heal severely damaged gel, acrylic, or dip nails. It is easy to remove and does not stain the nails. Many reviewers agree that this polish is easy to remove and does not stain the nails.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Long-wearing
- 7-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
"I love the thick consistency of this polish, which applies nicely to my nails. My nails look smooth after a few coats of this polish. It lasts for weeks without chipping. It also never discolors my nails or turns them brittle."
The Bottom Line
Unlike traditional nail polishes, metallic nail polishes give your nails a salon-finished look and an attention grabbing manicure. These metallic polishes are available in vibrant colors that compliment light as well as deeper skin tone and provide excellent coverage. Most of the products on our list are free from toxic chemicals. The PUEEN Rocking Metallic Nail Polish has a highly pigmented formula for a streak-free, luxurious bright finish. The OPI Nail Lacquer – This Color’s Making Waves offers trendy and high-quality shades with exceptional coverage and shine, and the ILNP Juliette Holographic Nail Polish – Rose Gold offers a mesmerizing holographic effect. They can be used to highlight your nails in any DIY nail arts. They are long-lasting, chip-resistant, and are easy to apply and remove. However, you may need to apply a second coat of the nail polish based on the intensity of the color. Read customer reviews before buying a nail polish. And, remember to test the polish on a patch of your skin to detect allergic reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is glitter in nail polish metallic?
Not always. The glitter in nail polishes is usually made from a plastic called polyester. However, glittery metallic nail polishes can contain metal in their composition.
Can you wear metallic nail polish in an MRI?
No. It is best to remove your nail polish before you go into the MRI machine. Nail polishes, regardless of whether it’s metallic or not, can contain trace amounts of metals that can mess with the results.
Are metallic nail polishes as safe as regular ones if it chips off and is accidentally ingested?
Ingesting nail polish, metallic or not, is not healthy. Nail polishes usually contain a lot of chemicals and when ingested you are inviting a lot of chemicals into your body. However, if you ingest just a minimal quantity it is unlikely to cause any noticeable harm.
How do you remove metallic nail polish?
Soak a cotton ball with nail polish remover. Press it on one nail and hold it for 30-40 seconds and then gently wipe away the nail polish. Repeat it for all nails.
How can you make regular nail polish look metallic?
There are two ways you can make regular nail polish look metallic. You can use metallic nail powder to buff your nails with an eyeshadow applicator after applying regular nail polish. This will transform the finish from glittery to metallic. Apply a top coat to seal it. Another method is to use metallic acrylic powder with a solution of acrylic powder. For this method, paint your nails, dab the metallic powder, apply the solution and apply a top coat.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya is a certified image consultant who strives to provide her readers with products that help them look and feel their best. Here, she talks about the best metallic nail paints that leave you with salon-grade gloss without exposing you to any harmful or dangerous chemicals. Her review process involved independent research and aggregating user reviews on various online forums and websites.
Read full bio of Simone de Vlaming
Read full bio of Baishali Bhattacharya
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Read full bio of Srijita De
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