What is the correct way to apply glitter nail polish? It’s not as easy as it looks! But follow the steps below, and with a little practice and the right materials, you’ll soon have a professional-looking manicure.
Glitter nail polish is a type of nail lacquer or gel that contains small pieces of glitter suspended in a clear or colored base. It’s so trendy and eye-catching that you’ll be sure to receive many compliments.
First, there are a few essential things you’ll need to round up before you learn how to apply glitter nail polish.
Supplies Needed for a Glitter Polish Manicure
The tools you will need for this project are a nail file, base coat, top coat, liquid latex (optional), and glitter polish.
Some polishes use the same gel for both base and top coats, making them very economical. Here’s an example:
DND Gel Nail Polish Duo - 549 Glitter Colors - Rainbow Falls, HI
This professional gel and lacquer set both dry to a high gloss shine that really sets off the sparkles. The rich blend of colors in the glitter is perfect for the holidays and matches many outfits. You’ll need a nail lamp to cure the gel, but it soaks off easily.
Also, acetone polish remover, rubbing alcohol, and cotton pads help clean up the nails during the preparation stage.
Now, set aside some me time to pamper yourself. You’ll need about half an hour to do both hands or an hour if you include a pedicure.
Steps for Applying Glitter Nail Polish
Step 1:
Start by removing your prior manicure and shaping your nails with a file. Don’t soak them in water as the moisture may cause the manicure to lift.
Instead, after filing, remove debris and oil by wiping the nails with a cotton pad dampened with alcohol.
Step 2:
Apply a clear base coat to the nails. Allow it to dry or cure it with a lamp.
If you use a polish like the gorgeous Golden Sahara Star DND Gel, you can cure it in seconds with an LED nail lamp. (Plus, when it's time to remove it soaks off in minutes with minimal effort).
DND Gel Nail Polish Duo - 401 Gold Glitter Colors - Golden Sahara Star
Did you know why salon professionals love DND polish? It goes on fast and smooth, plus it comes in a wide range of colors including delicious glitter shades like the warm gold above. The only downside is that it’s so resistant to peeling and chipping that customers don’t need to come back for 3 weeks or more.
Step 3:
This step is optional if you have a steady hand. But for beginners, it makes for a neat, professional finish.
Paint the skin around the nails with liquid latex. You don’t need a lot – maybe an eighth of an inch all around. Don’t get it on the nails. It’s there to keep the lines neat so that the polish goes only on the nail, not on your skin. Let it dry.
If you’re allergic to latex, try PVA glue. It’s a handy tool for nail art and just as easy to remove at the end of the manicure.
But if you decide to paint your nails freehand, don’t worry. It’s not difficult to clean up gel polish on cuticles.
Step 4:
Apply the glitter nail polish. If you’d like a shade that goes with anything and looks great for the holidays, try this sparkly SNS gel:
SNS Gel Nail Polish Duo - WW05 Glitter Colors
It’s an outstanding polish in a brand-new formulation. Unlike most gels, the SNS Gel Star is packed with healthy ingredients for the nail bed. At the same time, it dries to a mirror finish that can last for 2 weeks or longer.
Step 5:
Brush on the top coat and cure it. It ensures a durable manicure that won’t chip, peel, or fade.
Step 6:
Peel off the liquid latex and apply cuticle oil and moisturizer. Enjoy your stunning new manicure!
What Are the Different Ways to Wear Glitter Nail Polish?
You can wear glitter nails in various styles. Instead of a full nail with sparkle powder, you might place only a single stripe of glitter across the nail.
With a dip powder manicure, you could do half or just the tip of the nail with glitter. It all depends on what appeals to you.
How Do You Make Glitter Nail Polish Smooth?
Sparkly gels and shimmering lacquers are formulated to be smooth when they dry. It's not like applying actual glitter to the nails.
LDS Gel Nail Polish Duo - 179 Black Glitter Colors - Galaxy
This galaxy glitter duo is the ideal example of a shimmery nail polish with a super-sleek finish. If you aren’t sure that glitter nail polish is your style, and you love rich, dark colors, give it a try. It’s subtle yet captures the gaze of anyone who sees it.
Moreover, the gel is odorless. And it's nice for beginners because you have all the time you need to brush it on. After all, it only dries after it's cured under a nail lamp.
Also, take a look at this pretty pink glitter polish set:
Lavis Gel Nail Polish Duo - 098 Pink Glitter Colors - Pretty Pink Glitter
This whimsical and warmly-colored lacquer rapidly sets to a glossy shine. Since it’s highly pigmented, you don’t have to go over it repeatedly to build up color. It gives you a smooth, glittery shine from the get-go.
What Is the Best Glitter Nail Polish Top Coat?
Should you decide to do a glitter manicure with real sparkly bits, there are two tricks you need to know.
For one, use a makeup sponge to apply the glitter on the base coat. It makes less mess and it’s easier to manage than a nail brush when it comes to dabbing on glitter.
Then, instead of a transparent base coat, try something new. Use a black lacquer to make a daring statement. The glitter will stand out even more on such a bold background.
Lastly, the transparent top coat is essential because it fills in the gaps. Apply two coats for a durable, high-gloss finish.
LDS Gel Nail Polish Duo - 142 Glitter Red Colors - Resilience
When you don't have time for a gel manicure, you can still shine on. This shimmery red is a real heart-stopper. It comes in both gel and lacquer.
The lacquer is 9-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. It contains no toxins like formaldehyde, phthalates, or petrochemicals. It only needs air to dry and it lasts for a week.
Furthermore, the gel lasts up to two weeks but you'll need a nail lamp to dry it. Still, it's straightforward to apply. Brush on a thin layer of base and cure it. Then, two layers of color, curing between each one. Finally, top coat with 60 seconds under the nail lamp, and you're done!
How to Remove Glitter Nail Polish?
Even the best glitter nail polish needs to be renewed from time to time. Although it might not chip or peel, your nails will grow and the manicure will need a touch-up.
Acetone is the quickest way to dissolve the old polish. It’s crucial for removing gels and it takes 10 to 15 minutes to work. Sadly, it can be quite drying to the nails and skin. It’s the reason why you’ll want to wrap up the manicure with cuticle oil and moisturizer.
However, there are alternative polish removers that work on regular nail lacquer and are gentler on the skin. You may have success with alcohol and even apple cider vinegar.
Final Thoughts
There is a wide range of different colors and textures of glitter nail polish. There are shades to suit every season and every outfit. Thankfully, it’s not difficult to apply glitter nail polish with a little patience and a steady hand. Stock up now on your favorite glitter gels and glitter lacquers to make the winter season sparkle with fun.