Silver has overtaken gold and scooped first place in the style stakes this season. Silver nails, silver boots, silver trousers, silver jackets – you name it, everywhere you look there’s a palette of pewter. And while it might seem a touch garish for some, if you want to lean into the look, a set of silver nails is the perfect place to start.
“From Isabel Marant to Ganni, silver has been everywhere on the catwalks so it’s no surprise it’s filtered down to nails which are the ultimate flexible accessory,” says Metta Francis, London based manicurist and founder of Nails by Mets. “You could also call it the ‘Beyonce effect’ as her Renaissance tour saw fans donning stunning silver looks to her shows.”
Ready to feel inspired? We unveil the best ways to embrace silver nails.
Do silver nails look good?
You might be surprised but a foiled finish is incredibly versatile. It suits all nail shapes and complements the majority of skin tones too. “Silver can work well with both short and long nails but some say it’s especially striking on long nails. As for the shape, almond, stiletto or coffin shapes tend to be popular choices for a sleek and glamorous look with silver polish,” advises Holly Wolff, nail technician at Neville Hair and Beauty.
As for skin tones, because it’s considered a ‘neutral metallic’, it can look good against dark and fair skin. “Silver is generally a cool shade however you can find shades that have warmer undertones,” says Metta. “If you have a cooler skintone (blue undertones) you may want to stay away from the blue based silvers which can look quite icy and opt for warmer, richer silvers.”
How to choose a silver nail polish
“This season’s silver is more of a foiled/metallic look so less sparkly than your usual glittery nail shades. A chrome finish with a subtle shimmer will be more wearable” continues Metta. “I love Kure Bazaar’s Platinum, CND’s Silver Chrome and Nail Kind’s Liv a Little.”
What’s the best way to wear silver nails?
Block silver is always a classic but silver gives you lots of freedom to experiment with nail art too. “A French manicure with silver tips is an elegant choice or you could try ombre designs (from light to dark), silver accents or even mixing silver with other colours to create nail art that suits your personality,” recommends Holly.
Metta also suggests experimenting with a silver half moon on longer nails or a negative space base with white and black for a real statement look. “Don’t forget your silver rings and accessories for maximum impact too,” she adds.
Here’s some to bookmark for you next appointment:
Short squoval silver nails
Proving that block silver can work on all nail lengths, this matte chrome manicure looks super chic on short square nails.
Embellished nails
A quick and easy way to dabble with silver – use a make-up sponge to dab some silver polish on the ends and dab some silver dots on another nail. Its DIY nail art at it’s best.
Silver swirls
It doesn’t matter if you’re confident with nail art, these abstract silver swirls look good over a natural nail or try it over black or white polish for a striking look.
Silver tips
An alternative to the traditional French manicure this swaps white tips for silver. Subtle but stylish, it’s a great way to see if the silver look works for you.
Ombre silver nails
A metallic mix of dark pewter and a lighter silver, this is eye catching and wearable. Pair it with a classic almond shape for a sophisticated finish.
Oval block silver
This is a shining example of how sophisticated a silver manicure can look. A touch space age, whenever you wear silver nails, the light reflection you get off a nail appears impressive.
Dainty silver moons
You might have to squint to see them but these dainty silver semi circles around the half moon are oh so pretty. They require a steady hand though so it might be one for the professionals to help you with.
Mix and match metallics
A subtle nod to the silver trend, you don’t have to opt for metallic on every nail. This combines nude, white and silver half moon piece of nail art to create a majestical nail scape.
Intergalactic silver nails
Just a swipe of silver placed at the top or bottom of the nails creates a focal point that will earn you comments and compliments.
Line art
Simple but stylish, adding a metallic line across your manicure brings attention to your nails without going OTT. A great addition to short nails where the nail bed is shorter for more intricate designs.
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