Confused about the difference between aurora, chrome, and chameleon? Here's everything you need to know.
Aurora (Iridescent)
- Effect: A soft, translucent "oil-slick" glow
- Transparency: Highly transparent; it enhances the base color without hiding it.
- Finish: Smooth, satin-like shimmer that shifts colors (e.g., pink to gold) depending on the angle.
Multi-chrome, Chrome
- Effect: A solid, high-shine reflective surface.
- Transparency: Completely opaque; it totally masks the base color underneath.
- Finish: A metallic, glass-like "mirror" finish.
Chameleon
- Effect: Bold color shift between two distinct hues
- Transparency: Can be opaque or buildable
- Finish: Duo-chrome/multi-chrome look
Use aurora for a soft iridescent glow, chrome for a mirror-metal look, and chameleon for bold, high-contrast color shifts.
Aurora pigments are usually ten times the price of chrome and chameleon pigments.
Here is some more information about the differences between them.
Particle finish and effect
- Aurora pigment: pearlescent/iridescent shimmer that produces soft, multidirectional color shifts and a luminous, translucent glow.
- Chrome powder: ultra-reflective, mirror-like metallic finish with very high shine and solid metallic appearance.
- Chameleon powder: strong, high-contrast color shift between two or more distinct hues (often bold) with a more pronounced duo-chrome/ multi-chrome look.
Particle shape & size
- Aurora: very fine, platelet-like mica or interference pigments for soft, layered shimmer.
- Chrome: ultra-fine, typically metallic or vacuum-metallized particles for smooth mirror effect.
- Chameleon: fine to medium-sized interference pigments engineered for pronounced hue shift.
Opacity & application
- Aurora: often semi-sheer - layered over colors or clear topcoat for depth.
- Chrome: usually opaque when applied correctly (often over black)to achieve full mirror finish.
- Chameleon: can be opaque or buildable; best over dark bases to maximize shift
Typical base color preference
- Aurora: lighter or pastel bases highlight subtle shifts.
- Chrome: dark or black bases amplify reflectivity.
- Chameleon: dark/contrasting bases bring out bold shifts.
Look and wear
- Aurora: soft, ethereal, pearl-like; forgiving of brush marks.
- Chrome: sharp, flawless mirror - requires smooth prep and topcoat.
- Chameleon: dramatic, color-shifting statement that reads differently at different angles.
