What is glitter, how to apply liquid glitter on nails

What it is?

Glitter is the name given to decorative elements that are intended for manicure. They come in the form of dust, sand, and large parts. Each has its own characteristics that should be taken into account when applying.

Dust or sand is applied to the nails with a spray. This manicure suits everyone. It perfectly complements everyday looks and suits a formal outfit. Everything is determined by the chosen design. Judging by the reviews, many fashionistas regularly use glitter for manicure.

Matte manicure with glitter

Matte manicures are becoming a popular trend again, especially when combined with glitter. The opposite of glossy nails, this nail polish option looks great in both light and dark shades.

A manicure with matte elements and glitter will look great for parties, going out to restaurants or other special events. In the usual version, it is able to complement a laconic female image, especially with the use of neutral shades.

To make your nail design using glitter even more interesting, there are several spectacular solutions:

1. On long nails, a manicure made using the ombre technique with the addition of large sparkles looks beautiful. The matte finish makes this design bright and unusual.
2. A truly luxurious look is achieved using dark matte shades and the addition of rhinestones or large sparkles. This festive option will suit any outfit and will attract attention.

3. On medium-length nails, a French style will look impressive, but not in the usual design. Dark, rich shades, where the base is matte and the “smile” is glossy, will make the image unique. An addition of glitter will dilute and complete the look.
4. Complex designs are no less popular. This is a way of mixing several designs where several colors, decorative elements and patterns can be used and coated with a matte finish. The more complex the design, the better, and a matte finish will only complete the look.

Choice

Sequins have different colors and sizes. Their application technique may differ. Jewelry can be purchased with varnish or separately. Glitters come in different sizes and shapes, for example, in the form of stars or hearts. There may be holographic coating. If dry glitter is chosen, then the top of the nail is covered with transparent varnish so that the decorations do not fall off.

The choice depends on personal preference. The main thing is that the glitter is from a trusted company. It is also necessary to take into account the shelf life of varnishes and decorations. Thanks to the right glitter and the right procedure, you will get an excellent result.

Types of glitter

For manicures with glitter, specialized outlets offer a wide range of glitter. Manufacturers even manage to produce particles of a certain shape and combined colors. Conventionally, glitter is divided into two types - liquid and dry.

Dry

Dry or crumbly glitter looks like a light powder made up of particles of different sizes and fractions. Having several jars in different colors and shapes allows you to easily arrange them to create a new design. With the help of fine powder, trendy “metallic” and “rubbing” are created. It is also added to an existing gel, creating new and unusual combinations.

However, dry glitter also has disadvantages:

• they spray easily, staining everything around;
• during application there is an increased consumption of material;
• To work with them, you need to purchase a whole set of tweezers, applicators and sponges.

But all the problems are more than offset by the opportunities that these materials provide.

Liquid

The liquid version is a transparent or pigmented varnish mixed with glitter. It needs to be applied to the base.

The number of particles can be any, as well as the shape. To get a beautiful effect, you will have to apply several layers. But it will not be possible to create a thick metallized coating here due to the low density of the arrangement.

Types of glitter

Popular types of glitter include:

1. Glitter - metallized parts, usually made of foil, with a size of 1 mm or more.
2. Yes – particles with a diameter of no more than 1 mm.

The basis for these decorative elements is selected depending on the desired effect. For holidays and parties, choose bright colors. And to decorate your everyday manicure, it is preferable to choose calm shades.

Plain manicure with glitter

Adding sparkles and glitters allows you to diversify a classic monochromatic manicure. Depending on the chosen colors and frequency of glitter decoration, the manicure style itself can change - from everyday to festive.

Delicate image

Those who want to create a romantic decor option can use several design options. This nail design option is suitable for sophisticated girls, as well as an everyday option or formal events. A sophisticated manicure is obtained by using nude, beige or lilac colored polish as a base.

For decoration use glitter in a slightly darker tone. For an everyday manicure, decorating one nail on each hand is enough. Even using glitter along the entire length of the nail plate, it is possible to create a delicate image, provided that the main polish is a neutral shade.

Black manicure

Black manicure always looks impressive, but adding it with patterns helps create a more festive look. The combination of black and glitter creates an original and stylish look.

To create a successful decoration option, apply glitter on the gel polish directly on top of the colored base, or decorate only one finger. For young girls, a black manicure in combination with glitter designs, for example, in the shape of a heart, may be suitable.

Red manicure

For going to a party, a red manicure with added glitter would be a great option. Golden sparkles look especially advantageous and harmonious with red gel polish.

An original design solution could be a French jacket in red with a gold combination, where the holes or “smile” are drawn with glitter. This option will look especially elegant and luxurious.

Coverage options

Regular varnish can be plain or contain glitter. The second option is the most convenient. How to apply glitter on nails if you use regular polish? It is enough to apply it to the nail plates. But if there is only varnish and glitter, then they should be mixed. It turns out the same effect.

How to make a glitter manicure using shellac or gel? Before applying shellac, nails must be filed, polished and cuticles removed. Then a base is applied to them and they can be dried under a UV lamp. Then the nails are coated with gel polish and dried again.

To apply glitter, they are mixed with shellac in a separate container, and then the mixture is applied to the nail plates and dried. The glitter layer is covered with a thin layer of gel polish and then dried. At the end, you need to remove the sticky layer and cover it with gloss.

How to apply glitter on nails with acrylic? Now there are acrylic powders with glitter in the composition. To perform a manicure, you need to remove the cuticle, file your nails and degrease their surface. Primer is applied to the nails and forms are attached. Then acrylic is applied. To obtain an acrylic mass with glitter, dip the brush in liquid and then in powder. After extension, the forms are removed and the nails are processed.

Master class on applying glitter

Before you start applying gel polish, carry out basic nail care: treat the cuticle and adjust the shape of the nail with a nail file. The nail plate itself is also treated with a special buff file to make it smoother and remove irregularities, then treated with a degreasing agent.

After all the preparatory procedures are done, the nails are covered with a transparent base.

The second layer is colored varnish, or liquid glitter, if you need to completely cover the nail with it. Dry glitter can be applied to gel polish in several ways. Large glitter is applied to the nail using a dot or a damp orange stick. Fine sand glitter can be applied using several techniques.

Normal way

The simplest way to use dry glitter will be perfectly mastered by those who have not yet worked with this material or do not have sufficient experience in applying glitter. The edge of the nail is covered with transparent varnish and dipped into a container with dry glitter. Remains of glitter that did not stick to the varnish are brushed off with a manicure brush. This method is often chosen when creating glitter nail designs.

Rub method

This method is used only on top of gel polish; shiny pollen will not settle on regular polish. Glitter is applied to the sticky layer of gel polish and gradually distributed using an applicator or a thick manicure brush. This way, the glitter will gradually penetrate the surface of the gel polish.

The rubbing method allows you to apply glitter in a very thin layer, so it is advised to choose a color close to the color of the varnish, otherwise the shade of the glitter may be greatly distorted. Manicurists advise that when finished, go over the shiny layer with a degreasing cloth or even dry this layer in a lamp.

Sprinkling with glitter

The nail is covered with base varnish and not dried. A dry manicure brush is dipped into glitter and sprayed over the nail with light movements. Manicurists draw a pattern on the nail with clear polish in advance and then use this method of spraying glitter.

After the glitter is applied in a sufficiently dense layer, they are sent to the lamp to dry. After drying, the remaining glitter can be easily brushed off with a brush. Using glitter in this way does not require applying a finishing layer of varnish, otherwise the effect will be similar to that of liquid glitter.

Glitter stretch method

This method helps replace liquid glitter polish. To apply dry glitter, use a flat manicure brush and pre-wet it in the base polish, and then dip it into the glitter. Using gentle movements, apply the glitter to the desired areas of the nail plate.

To make the manicure look discreet, use the brush lightly, since it covers a large amount of dry glitter at a time. Once complete, the glitter layer is topped off.

Method of mixing glitter with top

This method is most often used by manicurists when filling out nail design elements such as French manicures, holes, etc. Apply glitter to gel polish using a dry thin manicure brush. On a separate surface or prepared palette, mix the finishing varnish with glitter until a viscous mixture is formed.

Dip the brush into the mixture and draw the desired detail. For small fragments, it is enough to apply 1 layer of glitter. After drying this layer, apply the finishing varnish twice and level the surface of the nail, since fragments of glitter add volume.

Other types of glitter

Jewelry differs in appearance, method of application, and use. The decor is:

1. Liquid. They are in clear nail polish. Glitter is a single mass that is applied to the base polish and evenly distributed over the nails. If the decor is large, then you need to secure it over the design with a fixative.
2. Dry. The decoration is presented in the form of loose powder. It is applied to the nails or a separate area. Dry glitter is applied to wet varnish because it sticks firmly. Large parts are applied with tweezers.

Types of glitter

Glitter is large sparkles made from colored foil or metallized paper. They can be of very different shapes.

Glitter is often confused with shimmer, but the difference between them is significant: shimmer is very small particles of shining powder that softly shimmer on the nails, slightly shimmering; glitter, on the contrary, due to its size, is noticeable, catches the eye, and shines brightly.

Glitter can be different, and each of its subtypes has its own advantages. Choose the one that is more convenient for you to use.

"Liquid"

In manicure, liquid glitter is a transparent nail polish with large sparkles. It’s easy to apply – you just need to paint your nails with this polish. However, the “density” of the coating in one layer will be low. If you want more glitter on your nails, you will have to use a brush to select them from the bottle.

La Laque Couture, 54 Studio Silver © yslbeauty

Crumbly

• This glitter is popular among manicurists in salons - professionals know how to handle it so as not to litter everything around with glitter. However, you can learn to use it at home. This glitter can be used to cover the entire nail plate so that it becomes a continuous shiny surface.
• Particles of crumbly glitter can be different in shape: round and square, “straws”, in the form of stars. There are no restrictions: manufacturers are experimenting with a variety of options.

Face & Body Glitter, Rose © nyxcosmetic

Nail preparation

For a perfect manicure, nail preparation is required:

1. Hands should be placed in a bath with a decoction of herbs, sea salt or essential oils.
2. Removal of cuticles and application of moisturizer is required.
3. Excess skin is carefully removed with tweezers or nail scissors.
4. Use a file to give your nails the desired shape.
5. The first layer is applied with base varnish. It covers the entire plate.
6. Sequins and tools should be placed nearby.
7. Excess glitter is removed with a brush after the varnish has dried.

It is important not only to decorate your nails with sparkles, but also to choose them correctly, as well as perform a high-quality manicure. Judging by the photo, the result is beautiful. The main thing is to carefully apply jewelry, following all the rules of manicure.

Glitter on clear gel polish

Manicure with glitter gel polish is the easiest way to decorate your nails. But precisely when a colorless liquid foundation with dats or glitter is used.

You need to do a manicure, apply primer and cover with a colorless base coat, then dry in a lamp. After this, apply the selected base for gel polish with glitter in one or two layers. Each layer is dried in a lamp until completely dry. Without removing the top dispersion layer from the coating, you need to apply a layer of glitter gel. This can be done completely or according to the drawing, then dry. At the end, a top coat is applied, which is also dried under a lamp. It gives the surface smoothness and gloss.

Dry glitter

How to apply dry glitter to your nails? To secure, use a transparent varnish or fixative.

There are the following options for applying glitter:

1. To completely cover the nail with decor, it is dipped in a jar of dust. With another finger you need to press it onto the surface of the nail.
2. To make a pattern, colorless varnish is applied to the area where the pattern is located, and then sprinkle this part with dast. It is important that the base is dry.
3. Large shiny details are applied to the nails with tweezers. The base should not be dry, otherwise the glitter will not stick.
4. To make transitions from the tips of the nails to the base, the decoration is applied in several layers.
5. The varnish can be mixed with glitter in a separate container.
6. Decorations are applied with a damp brush or mixed with water.

This is the whole procedure of how to apply glitter on your nails. Any of these options allows you to get an accurate result.

General recommendations for glitter manicure

A stylish element in the form of sparkles allows you to make your manicure more attractive. It can be applied in dry or liquid form. The methods for applying them are so varied that each decor can be made unique.

Typically, sparkles or glitter are used to:

• pay attention to details,
• complement the design in a non-standard way,
• add bright colors,
• give a festive look.

Increasingly, glitter of unusual shapes has begun to be found on the beauty industry market.

An important feature of glitters is that they look great on nails of any shape, but color combinations with a specific nail shape are especially successful.

They try to apply glitter on gel polish to give a mysterious image, because such decor will definitely not go unnoticed. Beautiful and well-groomed hands always attract attention, and with shimmering elements this will be even easier.

There are many variations of the combination of manicure and glitter, and yet there are several successful examples:

Silver glitter can dilute an ordinary manicure, but it is not recommended to use too much glitter. It would be successful to coat the gel polish with silver sparkles on one or more fingers. This color of sparkles is especially popular in winter and is then successfully combined with turquoise shades and snowy patterns.

Gold glitter is no less successful when choosing a color. It goes especially well with pink shades of gel polish. To give the manicure an original look, glitter is applied to the middle fingers of both hands and added on top of large dry gold sparkles, the rest of the nails remain pink. The combination of glitter with a matte manicure finish is considered successful.

One finger is made matte, two are the same shade but glossy, the rest are diluted with glitter. A good option for a holiday manicure using glitter is to use it all over the nail plate, or just lay a shiny line.

Design

You should know not only how to apply nail glitter in jars, but also what types of designs can be made:

1. For a business style, you can choose a French manicure. It looks beautiful, even if it is complemented with iridescent sparkles. Gold or silver details are usually chosen. For a manicure you will need a single-color polish. First, a base varnish is applied, and after drying it is covered with a decorative shiny layer.
2. An original lunar manicure made with gel polish, shimmer, and limiting stencils. A rich shade is applied to the nails, and the lunula area is treated with iridescent dust.
3. Sequins go well with other decor. These can be rhinestones, broths.

The combination of rhinestones and shimmer is not used for everyday use. But it is great for creating a formal look.

Recommendations

To ensure that working with glitter only brings pleasant sensations, and the design does not have to be constantly remade due to carelessness, you need to pay attention to the advice of manicurists.

They recommend:

1. For large particles, use special tweezers.
2. Apply clear varnish or a special fixative to the finished design. This way it will last longer.
3. Apply glitter powder with a special sponge onto the still wet varnish. This creates unparalleled mirror and holographic effects.
4. Glitter sand should be worked with a special plastic spoon. The most interesting designs are obtained by combining sand and gel polish.
5. Excess particles from the nail plate should be removed with a brush.
6. It is better to draw patterns with a thin brush. There is a very simple technology: first, an ornament is applied, which is immediately sprinkled with glitter on top.

In order not to cover your interior with glamorous and expensive glitter of all colors and sizes, you need to get an A4 sheet of Whatman paper and perform all the procedures on it.

This method has one more important advantage: after work, you can collect all the crumbled “glitters” and carefully return them to the jar.

Application rules

How to apply glitter to the tips of your nails? There are 3 effective ways:

1. Colorless varnish and shimmering dust are used. The first product is applied to the nail where the glitter will be. Before it dries, the finger is dipped into the jar, and the excess is blown off.
2. Apply shimmer onto a dry flat brush. It should be shaken off onto nails treated with a transparent base. The brush must not touch the varnish.
3. The brush should be dipped into a transparent varnish, and then the decor should be collected from the jar. Then the varnish is applied to the nails.

High-quality work allows you to get excellent results. Glitter can highlight the beauty of a manicure. At the same time, their appearance must correspond to the overall appearance.

How to use it correctly

To create the simplest glitter manicure, you only need a clear varnish, a set of glitters of different colors and shapes, and a fixer. Decorative ones, depending on the design features, are applied to the entire surface of the nail or in the form of patterns drawn with a special brush. Gel polish with shiny decor looks impressive.

When designing with dry glitter, you should lay a paper napkin on the table. The elements that fall off the nails will not be lost; they can be used during the next manicure.

But what an acid-free nail primer looks like and how to use it is detailed here.

You need to apply glitter on your nails carefully, otherwise your manicure will look sloppy.

Nail rub

One way to get a “shimmering haze” or gradient effect on your nails is by rubbing in glitter powder. You will need a fluffy brush, gel polish, top coat and a special lamp for drying.

It’s good to do it in combination with gel polish that has a strong sticky base:

1. Prepare your nails for applying gel polish: give the correct shape, treat the cuticles, polish with a buff and degrease.
2. Apply base coat and dry in a UV lamp.
3. Apply gel polish in one layer and dry in a lamp. An important nuance is that the sticky layer does not need to be removed. You will need it to apply glitter.
4. The brush is carefully dipped in glitter, and glitter powder is generously applied to the nail . The entire surface of the nail should be evenly covered with a layer of glitter, including the cuticle area, tips and sides. The base gel polish should not be visible under the layer of glitter.
5. Then, with a brush, intensively rub the glitter into the base, removing excess . Place a lid from a jar of glitter or a paper napkin under your finger.
6. Run your fingertip over your nail . If everything is done correctly, the surface will be smooth and velvety.
7. Dry again in the lamp to fix the sticky layer.

You may also be interested in information about which primer is better, acidic or acid-free.

The video shows the correct use of the product:

Next, apply 2 layers of top coat, each of which is dried in a lamp. This manicure looks more impressive and lasts longer than liquid glitter.

Do not use large glitter for rubbing. This manicure looks too pretentious.

How to make drawings

Patterns on nails with small and medium glitters look interesting in combination with acrylic extensions. For this:

1. After drying the finish coat, gel paint is applied in the form of the desired design or pattern.
2. Small sparkles are poured on top, the remains are brushed off with a brush
3. The prepared coating is polymerized.

On your own nails, the glitter pattern is simpler. You will need small glitters and a manicure brush:

1. Pre-apply base and varnish.
2. Without waiting for the varnish to dry, apply the pattern with a damp brush.
3. Apply fixative or drying agent on top.

The design is thought out in advance. You don't have to apply glitter to all your nails. It is enough to decorate 1 - 2 fingers this way. The combination of a matte finish with an emphasis on one finger, for example the ring finger, looks unusual.

A French manicure with a “smile” of contrasting sparkles looks unusual.

How to glue glitter

Large sparkles of different shapes can be glued to nails, creating complex patterns or a “mirror” effect. You will need glitter of various shapes, base polish, a toothpick or dots, tweezers, and a fixative.

For a beautiful finish:

1. Apply base polish to the nails without allowing it to dry.
2. Remove the glitter from the jar one at a time using tweezers and place it on the nail in the desired order.
3. If you need to adjust the glitter or remove excess glitter, do this with the tip of a toothpick. It is convenient to use small dots.
4. Apply 2 layers of fixative on top to prevent the glitter from chipping.

Large glitters can also be mixed with clear polish and applied to the nail with a brush. If the glitter lies unevenly, you can also straighten it with a toothpick or a small dot.

Even if the glitter is large, the finished surface should be even and smooth. Elements should not stick out or get in the way.

Mirror nail polish is also popular.

Liquid design

The easiest way to quickly get a “shiny” manicure is with liquid glitter. These are sparkles of different shapes, sizes and colors, mixed with colorless varnish. It is already ready to use. It differs from most varnishes in density because it looks like a thick paste of glitter.

This product is already ready for use and can be applied very quickly.

Apply like regular manicure polish :

1. A base is applied to the prepared nail surface.
2. A layer of liquid glitter is carefully applied on top.

If the glitter is small, just dry it. It is worth applying a fixative on top of large sparkles so that they do not chip.

Liquid glitter is a good option for beginners because the glitter won't fall off. With its help, you can make a “quick” manicure for special occasions when there is no time for more complex options.

Removing glitter nail polish

To achieve the desired goal, effort is required. Compared to removing regular nail polish, removing glitter polish is not that easy. To do this, apply nail polish remover to a cotton pad and then apply it to the nail plate. The other hand presses him.

After 30-60 seconds you need to wipe off the varnish. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times until the glitter is eliminated. If necessary, use a sanding file to remove heavily glued glitter.

A shiny manicure is beautiful and romantic. It looks especially attractive on round and square nails. It is chosen for different occasions. The tips mentioned in the article allow you to quickly and easily create beautiful nail designs.

Working with extended nail plates

Glitter looks great on artificial acrylic and gel nails. Extended nail plates with a shining design are the ideal solution for a festive look. The design depends only on the professionalism of the master and the preferences of the client.

There are two options for creating shiny nail extensions:

1. Gel shiny nails are formed during the extension process. The master mixes the material for the artificial plate with shiny components chosen by the client.
2. French manicure with glitter is performed on finished nails , extended in the standard way.

When creating a manicure on artificial nail plates, adhere to the following rules:

• It is necessary to take precautions so that the shining manicure does not look vulgar or ridiculous. Especially when decorating nail plates with large elements.
• It is worth considering that a large number of shiny details visually enlarges the nail and gives it a heavy, tacky look.
• Decoration of the entire nail plate is performed only with very small sparkles (dust). This decor is appropriate only on one nail of the hand.
• Sparkles are appropriate for complementing designs and highlighting the main composition.
• For harmony and completeness of the look, use sparkles in the same shades as the shimmering elements of your evening outfit. Patterns of sparkles that repeat the pattern on clothing look beautiful.
• With the help of sparkles on extended nails, the details of jewelry that you plan to wear to a celebration with shiny stones look impressive. This manicure is very harmonious and sophisticated.

How to apply glitter to gel polish

The previous step-by-step instructions made it clear to us that even a beginner can apply glitter to gel polish and still get a very impressive result of his work. Large nail glitter is a little more problematic on ladies’ fingers, but this does not mean at all that you should deny yourself the pleasure of such decoration. ProstoNail has collected the most effective and proven life hacks from practicing professionals that are worth adopting:

• Many people have a question - what to glue the famous glitter on? The answer is quite simple - just a sticky base layer or colored gel coating is enough;
• If you plan to cover the entire surface of the nail with glitter, then pay special attention to evenly painting it with varnish. Otherwise, in places where the gel is bald, bald spots will form, but they will be shiny;
• carefully polish the nail plates with a buff, smoothing out all the irregularities. Only then can gold glitter or metallic glitter create a trendy chrome effect;
• To apply dry glitter, be sure to use a regular applicator, which you can remove from the eyeshadow palette. Using gentle circular movements, he will polish the glitter, remove excess and improve the adhesion rate;
• Only after waiting for the glitter to dry, brush off the excess from the side rollers and cuticles and only then fix the result with a top coat.