Nail design uses a variety of materials, and these are not only stamping plates, craquelure, magnetic, metallic, exotic, gel polishes, stickers, stencils, etc. Among all this “manicure abundance” there is a place for sparkles, which are called nail glitters. There are certain rules for their use that must be strictly observed. After all, a “shiny” manicure is sometimes out of place, and carelessly applied glitter will ruin the impression and cause a lot of inconvenience.
Types of glitter in jars for manicure
The variety of types of shiny decor pleases most manicurists. If we classify them by size, they come in fine, medium and coarse grinds.
This sparkling powder is crushed foil, which comes in different shapes:
- Round.
- Square.
- Oval.
- Triangular.
- Hexagonal.
- Pentagonal.
- In the shape of butterflies.
- In the shape of snowflakes and many other shapes.
Glitter for nails in jars
The color palette of glitter in jars is very multifaceted. It ranges from loud bright colors to soft nude shades. Glitter can easily be matched to any color of gel polish and complemented with any design. Shiny nail art also differs from each other in density. There are sparkles that show through the coating on which they are laid.
According to their structure, they can be divided into loose and gel-like. These two types can be found in jars with a twist-off lid. Dry glitter is usually sprinkled onto the sticky surface of the base or gel polish, and liquid glitter is applied using a manicure brush.
The advantage of liquid glitter is the possibility of zoned arrangement of sparkling elements. With the help of dots, thanks to its consistency, you can create a shiny circle, create an amber effect with a gradient brush, or cover the entire surface of the nail.
Types of glitter for manicure
Glitter varies depending on the type, method of application, and application.
There are two types of shiny decor
Black manicure with liquid glitter
- Liquid.
Liquid glitter is part of clear nail polish. They are a single mass that is applied to the base varnish and is immediately evenly distributed over the nail plate.If the shimmer is large, you will need to fix it on top of the design with a fixative so that it does not fall off.
- Dry.
Dry glitter is a loose powder.It is applied to the entire surface of the nail plate or to a separate area.
Dry glitter must be applied to wet varnish, so they will stick more firmly. Large shiny elements are applied using tweezers.
Dry glitter on nails
Glitter coating options
There are several options for glitter coatings. Initially, you need to understand whether you like glitter under a top coat, with which the surface of the nail is smooth, or without it, but in this case the nail will be rough. When choosing the first option, the sparkling decor can be applied to a sticky layer of varnish.
If stickiness is not enough, you can apply a thin layer of base and sprinkle glitter on top. The method of “immersing” the nail completely in a jar of shimmer is also convenient. You need to dry the coating for about 60 seconds in a UV lamp, then cover the glitter with top coat and dry again for the same amount of time.
In the second case, apply gel polish of the color you like to the nail. Next, let’s polemicize it in the lamp. Then we apply a middle layer of base and sprinkle glitter on the nail surface, dry it and do not cover it with topcoat. You can also create a matte or glossy nail surface. In both cases, this can be achieved using a top.
Application rules
How to apply glitter to the tips of your nails? There are 3 effective ways:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Rules for using loose glitter in jars
When using loose glitter in jars, you need to keep in mind that they are very light and easily crumble. To make the design neat, you first need to do a combined manicure. Next, when the nail is prepared for coating, its surface is leveled with a base layer and dried in a lamp.
After applying gel polish, the sticky layer is not removed. It is best to apply glitter with a brush, holding the nail over the jar or placing the entire nail there. If the glitter does not lie flat, you can gently press it on top with your finger. Excess glitter can be removed with a brush.
You need to apply more topcoat than usual so that all the glitter is underneath it. Keep your nails in the lamp for about 2 minutes.
Rules for applying liquid glitter
Nail glitter in jars (liquid) is very easy to use. If they are finely ground, then the principle of application is the same as for gel polish. Using any manicure brush, you need to take the required amount of shimmer and distribute it in accordance with the design that you should end up with.
If the sparkles are large, they may overlap each other during coating. In this case, they can be separated with the sharp edge of an orange stick. The most important rule for a beautiful design using liquid glitter is to carefully apply it to the nail.
If there is a large layer of shimmer, it can flow onto the side rollers and under the cuticle. This needs to be monitored closely.
How to glue glitter onto gel polish
Gluing large glitter onto gel polish is also easy if you know how to do it:
- Once tidied up, the surfaces of the nails are treated with a buff.
- Now they need to be wiped with a degreaser.
- Next, apply the base using rubbing movements.
- It is polymerized in a lamp.
- A flower bed of the chosen shade is applied to the base, preferably in 2 layers.
- Both times the hand is placed in the lamp.
- The next layer is the top, it is applied very thinly.
- Using a dot or orange stick, large glitter is placed onto the wet finish on the nails.
- The hand is placed in the lamp.
- The nails are covered with the last layer of top coat and polymerized.
As an adhesive base for kamifubuki and other types of large glitter, you can use a transparent base rather than a finishing agent.
Watch the video on how to glue glitter onto gel polish:
Beautiful combinations with sparkles of different shades of varnish
If we talk about shades of glitter, then there are a large number of them, and the color variety of varnishes is even more difficult to count. And that’s why there are many options for combining shiny nail art with different nail polish colors.
The most versatile glitter colors are gold and silver. They look great with any nail polish color.
Nail glitter in black jars harmonizes well with white, red and yellow nail colors. Win-win varnish colors for the background coating are pink, blue, beige, black, red, blue. They are suitable for decorating with both colored shimmer and sparkles in neutral shades.
A manicure looks great in a combination in which the shade of the varnish is slightly lighter than the shade of glitter or vice versa.
Techniques for applying shiny decor at home
The development of design application techniques in the manicure world does not stand still. Every year there are more and more of them.
Rubbing into gel polish
One of the popular techniques for applying shiny decor is rubbing. This method is easy to use and can be done by nail beginners at home. The rub is a fine, pollen-like, iridescent powder. Usually found in jars with a lid.
It happens with different effects:
- Metal.
- Rainbow.
- Pearl.
- Pearl.
To add incredible shimmer and shimmer to your nail, you need to rub it into the dispersion layer of gel polish (using an applicator or a silicone stick) and cover it with a top coat.
Sprinkles
One of the simplest and at the same time effective techniques for working with glitter. Using the sprinkle you can cover the nail completely or partially. You can stick to one color of shiny decor or combine several shades. The most important thing is that the sticky layer is not removed from the nail surface.
To do this you will need a base, gel polish, a brush, a jar of glitter, and a top coat. After the stage of coating the nail with varnish, you need to pick up the required amount of glitter with a brush and sprinkle it on top of the colored coating. You can also cover individual designs, patterns, and ornaments with glitter.
To do this, after applying the polish, you need to remove the sticky layer from the nail, draw a pattern and sprinkle it with glitter. Brush off excess shimmering particles and dry the nail in a UV lamp.
Stretching on nails
Stretching your nails with glitter is a manicure that will attract the attention of others. You can create such a design at home, but you will have to try. The best way to do this is to use a gradient brush, with which you can easily achieve a smooth transition from more glitter to less.
You need to apply a strip of shimmer closer to the cuticle and gradually stretch it along the nail plate. It is better not to touch the free edge, this way the design looks deeper and more interesting.
Mixing glitter with top coat
Creating a design using liquid glitter is more convenient than working with dry glitter. Thanks to their texture, they are evenly distributed on the nail. A very convenient and simple technique for mixing glitter with top coat. The main advantage of this method is its versatility and the ability to control the amount of shiny decor.
For a less flashy manicure, you can add a minimal amount of glitter, and for those who love attention on their hands, you can mix more shimmer with the top.
Types of glitter
There are countless varieties of glitter that transform a manicure, but globally it can be divided into two large categories - liquid and crumbly glitter. We will talk about each of them in more detail below, but you can compare the pros and cons of this or that element without putting things in a deep drawer.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Dry glitter can be combined with the same particles, but in a different shade, size or color, while creating intricate patterns. By the way, it was thanks to this technique that mirror and metal nails, as well as ombre manicure, became possible | Nail glitter often cannot be applied without the use of special auxiliary accessories: applicators, sponges and even tweezers |
| Nail glitter, like any other glitter, has good adhesive ability, regardless of its texture or consistency. It fits tightly to the nail or base, adhering securely and not chipping over a long period of wear. | Before applying white glitter or glitter of any other shade, prepare the nail plates by first sanding down any uneven areas and removing any rough edges using a buff. Only in this case will the coating look impressive |
| The opinion that glitter on a woman’s hands is appropriate only in exceptional cases has long since become obsolete. Now glitter nails can be seen not only on stage or at high society receptions, but also in the office or at the university | There are certain types of glitter that require the use of additional materials for attachment. The most common option is a glitter base, which can be purchased at wholesale and retail manicure stores. |
| There is no difficulty in combining glitter and colored varnish. It is not necessary to use black glitter under black shellac; experiment and add a drop of rose gold, etc. to it. | If there are no problems with applying glitter, then many people notice difficulties with removal. The fact is that medical-dispersed glitter often literally “eats” into the base, which makes removing them very, very difficult |
| Feel free to combine glitter with different designs and don't be afraid to go overboard. Or add shimmering particles to the classic smile line of a French man, to curls on monograms or minimalist geometric patterns | Always monitor the process and adjust the amount of flickering pollen. Otherwise, you risk overdoing it and getting a too voluminous manicure that clings to clothes and hair, which is very uncomfortable. |
| Having even one type of glitter in the collection, a practicing master can satisfy the most daring ideas of his clients. It’s not at all necessary to buy a million treasured miniature jars in stores before starting work. | Follow the correct application technique exactly without skipping steps. Otherwise, even a long-lasting glitter manicure will chip or peel off in a couple of days. |
Liquid glitter or nail polish with glitter
To begin with, let’s dot the i’s and explain in detail that glitter and shimmer are not identical concepts. Shimmer is those small particles that obscure the light and are practically invisible to the eye. And glitter is large pieces of foil-coated plastic that can be noticeable individually. Gel polish glitter is the same notorious liquid glitter for nails. A simplified version is regular varnish that does not require drying under an LED or UF lamp. There are usually two types of liquid glitter:
- pigmented varnish. Pink glitter, blue or light blue - choose any one from the extensive collection of glass jars and bottles presented on store shelves. This option is practical and convenient, but you can hardly experiment with a colored coating;
- transparent varnish without pigment. A more functional purchase, since by covering any other color with it, you end up with completely different results, always striking in their impeccability.
Dry glitter
This type of glitter is more like powder, which in the hands of a real professional turns into magic dust, changing any design before your eyes. You can cover the entire nail plate with it, literally “dipping” your finger into the jar, or you can highlight individual details of nail art. Glitter powder also looks great against a dark background, creating a chrome-plated surface or creating a cat-eye effect. And light, pastel varnish and crumbly glitter will make your nails look like precious pearls.
Glitter powder
Glitter powder is another popular type of women’s favorite glitter. To be fair, let’s say that this type of loose glitter is especially held in high esteem by nail technicians. Powder consists of many fine particles of foil, but classic nail glitter is larger and more noticeable. This type of decor is especially appropriate in combination with drawings; it elegantly complements a prom manicure or a wedding manicure, but looks no less impressive in everyday nail art.
Glitter Design Ideas
Nail designs can easily be chosen to suit your lifestyle, upcoming event and any mood.
Business manicure
Office or business manicure is usually discreet and discreet. It should complement the classic style of clothing and at the same time not draw attention to itself. White, beige, light pink, gray, and pastel colors are often used for coating. Red color can also be classified as a business palette.
Office nail designs with glitter include:
- Solid color with sparkling geometric elements. Using glitter from a bottle, you can apply a thin vertical stripe, dot or diamond shape to the surface of the nail.
- Covering the nails with one color except the ring finger. It can be completely covered with glitter.
- Monochromatic coverage using a shimmery top. The amount of glitter should be minimal.
Bright manicure
A bright manicure fully embodies hot summer days. This design is perfect for creative individuals and those who like to attract attention.
Green, yellow, orange, purple, hot pink are the colors of varnish and glitter that are used to create a bright manicure. And you can combine them by applying glitter to the colored coating of each nail, highlighting several fingers with shiny nail art, or making a bright stretch of shimmer.
Festive French
This design creates an atmosphere of celebration and fun. Relevant on the eve of the New Year, corporate event or birthday. Almond-shaped or square-shaped nails are suitable for this decor. The recommended length of the nail plate is short or medium.
The principle of creating a festive French manicure is the same as that of a classic French manicure. The only difference is that the smile is painted with silver, gold, black and many other colors of glitter.
Gradient stretch or ombre effect
The gradient technique is popular this season. If previously it was performed only with the help of gel polishes, now stretching is also done with glitter. The background covering can be of any color. The most important thing is to achieve a smooth transition of a brilliant design from larger to smaller.
The sparkling gradient should fade towards the free edge of the nail. This ombre effect can be achieved using a gradient brush or an air puffing brush. This design creates a feeling of depth and volume of the coating. And it suits any shape and length of nails.
Stamping design with a shimmering accent
Stamping is a modern alternative to painting patterns with a brush. It is a set consisting of a metal plate with drawings, a stamp, a scrubber and varnishes.
To create a stamping design with a shimmering accent, you must first apply rubbing or finely ground glitter to the silicone stamp. Then add varnish to the plate, distribute it with a scrubber evenly over the pattern and transfer it to the stamp by pressing it onto the pattern.
When the desired design is on the silicone stamp, apply it to the nail, rolling the stamp from right to left. The resulting drawing pushes the boundaries of reality. It is unique and amazes with its brilliant appearance.
Patterns of large and small elements
The very variety of sizes of sparkles speaks about the pattern that can be drawn with them. Using a thin brush and glitter, draw lines, leaves, petals, and monograms. The patterns look sophisticated and elegant. They can decorate and highlight any monochromatic finish. In the case of large-sized sparkles, we are talking about larger-scale patterns.
They can be used to lay out a heart, stars, a circle, a rhombus. This pattern can be the main and only accent on the nails.
What is glitter for nails - or a short story about the Northern Lights
As it is not difficult to guess from the name, we will talk about glitter that transforms nail designs, even made in a single-color, pastel shade. At its core, glitter is a variety of shimmering metallic foil particles that differ in shape and size. Its unusual texture instantly “refreshes” even a classic French jacket, provoking a lot of compliments and admiring glances in the direction of your manicured fingers. At the dawn of civilization, reflective materials were used in exceptional cases, but now futuristic fashion trends dictate their own rules to us and women are absolutely unwilling to resist them.
They say that the ancestor of glitter, first mentioned in written sources and on frescoes, is hematite powder - a natural miracle that has the property of repelling and breaking the sun's rays. Already in Paleolithic times, sacred paintings in caves received such elegant decoration. During the prosperity of ancient Egyptian society, fashionistas went further and began to use shimmering powder extracted from crushed beetle wings as a highlighter. In India, fish scales, ground remains of precious stones, mica and even glass played a similar role. Well, beauty requires sacrifice.
During the dark period of the Middle Ages, the desire of lovely ladies to shower themselves with glitter diminished a little, but all this was in preparation for the big turning point in the history of glitter, which happened in 1934. It was then that an unknown farmer, Henry Rushman, noticed the amazing ability of plastic, which, when cut, turned into shining pollen, now called glitter. The enterprising cattle breeder did not yet know that this invention promised him huge profits, but just in case, he patented it, indicating his copyright, and then founded an entire production company, Meadowbrook Inventions. From this moment the popularization of glitter begins.
So, in 1960, several large world-famous cosmetic concerns (namely Revlon, Estée Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, and Helena Rubinstein) released products that contained small and large sparkles. Decorative glitter adorned powders and lipsticks, blushes and eye shadows. Particularly resonant was the event dating back to 1972, when rock singer David Bowie, the idol and idol of the youth of that time, appeared before the public with intricate makeup, which was the work of Hollywood makeup artist Pierre Sarosh. Needless to say, all products containing star powder were swept off store shelves.
It came as no surprise to anyone that in 1990, glitter was recognized as a megatrend. All the stars, celebrities and just girls who follow fashion tried to smear more glitter on their bodies, imitating Britney Spears. Around the same time, glitter began to be used in nail decoration. By the way, simple sparkles even played an important role in political and sociological revolutions. So, they were used by members of LGBT communities at parades, anointing their foreheads with particles. Chic and shine are what modern fashionistas strive for. Our photos are clear proof of this.
What is glitter used for?
Decorative glitter for nails is a universal thing. It is used in different fields and for different purposes. Which ones? Let's take a closer look:
- cosmetic glitter. Perhaps the most popular variety of glitter today. Moreover, it can be divided into two subcategories: glitter in skin care cosmetics and glitter in decorative products. There are no questions with the second type, because all girls, starting from a tender age, smear cream shadows, foundations, powders and highlighters, illuminators and bronzers, mascaras and tints on themselves. The first type is cosmetics aimed at care or styling. These include body oils and lotions, hairspray or facial serum with a glow effect;
- designs with glitter powder are another form where “fairy dust” is actively used. The nail business is growing and developing every second, but the sparkles that are generously sprinkled on the nails of young ladies do not lose their leadership position. Most often, glitter is used for mirror rubbing, which creates the effect of a mirror or chrome manicure;
- fashion industry. Perhaps this is where most of the glitter produced by concerns is involved. Thus, silver glitter proudly flaunts on tops or even frills of jeans, while gold glitter exquisitely complements a pop combination for a pop diva like Beyoncé. Accessories are also not spared this fate, because rhinestones and sparkles are an integral part of evening clutches and even laconic pumps worn “on a special occasion”;
- interior decor. Yes, yes, even in decorating the premises of offices, hotels and ordinary apartments, glitter powder is used. It is added to wall paint, used to decorate picture frames, upholster sofas, and even “mixed” into ceramics, be it tiles or sanitary ware. In measured, small quantities, such things can dilute the dullness and monotony of minimalism, giving the room its own “zest.”
As you can see, glitter is something that is widely used in almost all areas of human life. And arguments about the fact that sparkles are appropriate only on representatives of the stage have long since sunk into oblivion.
Hole decoration
A beautiful and stylish design is considered to be a lunar manicure, in which the hole can be drawn with glitter. Camouflage coating in beige, white, pink and transparent colors looks good in a duet with silver, white, soft pink, and gold sparkles.
When decorating the hole with shimmering particles, you should pay attention to the condition of the cuticle, since the main element is located next to it. Before coating, it is recommended to do a combined manicure.
Strict geometry
Geometry is included in the list of trendy designs for 2022. Strict and clear details border on the “minimalism” style.
| Geometric figure | Description |
| Lines | They can be located vertically or horizontally on the nail plate, and also vary in thickness. |
| Circles | This can be one shiny dot in the middle of the cuticle line, or it can cover the entire nail. Accurate and even circles are obtained using dots. |
| Square | You can paint it with a thin brush or use glitter stickers. Often there are designs in which a square is drawn within a square. Thanks to this design, a 3D illusion is created. |
Triangle, cell, and “color block” technique also belong to the elements of strict geometry. And thanks to the glitter, this manicure looks more delicate.
Volumetric monograms in silver and gold
Volumetric monograms look equally good on any length and shape of the nail plate. A silver and gold pattern should be applied in contrast. These two shades go well with the entire color scheme. White, black, red, blue, burgundy, emerald are considered the most suitable colors for creating such a design.
You can decorate each nail with monograms, but highlighting one or several nails looks more harmonious.
Combination of sparkles with other decor
Sliders, rhinestones, kamifubiki, foil, and broken glass go well with a shiny coating. Glitter is a great addition to most nail decorations. It is important to stop in time when decorating a design. The most important thing is not to overdo it when choosing the number of decorations. Manicure should be sophisticated and elegant.
Fashion trends 2022 recommend a large assortment of nail designs with shiny decor in jars. With stretch, with geometric shapes, with a matte finish and glitter - such nails will become the finishing point of any look.
Where to buy glitter
The answer to this question is quite predictable and obvious - in specialized stores with tools and materials for manicurists. The second option is cosmetic stores that provide a large assortment of glitter for decorating the body and eyes. The third “secret place” is stores with hairdressing paraphernalia and stationery stores. In the first case, such sparkles are bought to decorate curls, in the second - to transform applications.
Don't be afraid to shine and attract attention, collect compliments and use glitter not only for an evening out. And, of course, shine brighter, illuminating the dullness of everyday life!
