Frame Nails Make Your Manicure Worthy of the Louvre

04.10.2025, 02:20 allure.com

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I once stood in line for two hours to see the Mona Lisa. Now, I’m no art expert, but after waiting for what felt like forever in a crowded room at the Louvre, the painting held my attention for less than a minute. What did impress me, though, was its ornate gold frame.

Sometimes a frame is as interesting as the artwork itself. This sentiment is captured by the latest trend dominating social feeds: frame nails. They are, as the name suggests, nails that feature thin, gold- or silver-dusted lines painted along their perimeter. “Dainty,” “soft,” and “refined” are a few words that Ploy, a New York City-based nail artist, uses to describe the design.

Typically, only one or two accent nails are framed in a manicure, but you can, of course, outline all 10 if you prefer. Kathleen Tapanes, a New York City-based nail artist, prefers a simpler manicure that pairs wavy gold frames with soft neutrals, sheer pinks, or pastel polishes. “Outlining clean, simple shades in gold or silver adds a sleek, jewel-like finish that transforms nails into elegant, mini works of art,” she says. The simplicity of the design makes it versatile enough to wear with other nail art, including French tips, marble swirls, dainty flowers, watercolor textures, and aura fades.

Like many of today’s trends, this look isn’t new. Ploy says she first saw it in Asia “about 10 years ago.” Tapanes says its recent popularity is probably due to everyone’s fixation on chrome and metallic finishes.

If you’re looking to re-create this look at home, you’ll want to get your hands on a few things: gel nail polish, matte gel topcoat, non-wipe gel topcoat, and an LED lamp. (Ploy recommends using gel formulas for a crisper, longer-lasting result.) You’ll also need chrome powder and a fine-line brush.

Start your manicure by applying a base color, then add any nail art you'd like—excluding the frame—and cure between each layer. After that’s done, apply a matte gel topcoat and cure. “This step helps isolate the chrome you’ll rub into the frame design,” says Tapanes.

Here’s where your frame comes in: “Use a fine nail art brush to draw an abstract squiggly oval over the nail with a thick non-wipe topcoat gel and cure for 30 seconds,” Tapanes explains. This is where you can be as simple or as detailed as you want with the frame design. After the raised frame is cured, apply a chrome pigment to the frame and cure for an additional 30 seconds. Gently sweep away any excess pigment with a clean brush for sharp definition. Tapanes suggests applying a high-shine topcoat over the entire nail to “lock in the look and ensure durability” and to give it a pretty, glossy finish.

If that sounds like a lot of work, consider making an appointment with your nail artist and bringing one of the below inspiration photos with you.

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