How to apply glitter to gel polish, how to glue it correctly step by step, whether you need to cover it with a top coat, how to use glitter

You should apply glitter to the gel polish along its sticky surface after drying or use a damp top coat for decoration. This is how the finest shimmering powder, loose glitter, and kamifubuki are fixed. The first two products are applied with a brush or spread with a spatula. For kamifubuki, an orange stick, tweezers or a magnetic pencil are more convenient.

Liquid glitter is fixed onto dried gel polish using a brush from a bottle or a thinner tool. The decor must be secured with a top; it should not stick out or get in the way.

How to properly apply glitter to gel polish

You can correctly apply glitter to gel polish in the following order:

After performing a manicure, wipe the nails and the skin around them with a degreaser.
Then the plates are coated with primer and wait until it dries.
Apply the base, first in a thin layer, then leveling.
The coating must be dried in a UV lamp or LED.
Nails are painted with gel polish, if necessary, 2-3 times.
Each time the hand is placed in a lamp for polymerization.
Apply a topcoat to the flower bed, do not dry it.
The decor is transferred to the damp surface and waited a few seconds until it “settles down”.
The hand is placed in a drying lamp.
Fan the surface of the plate with a fan brush.
The end should be filed so that rough particles do not stick out from the edge.
The nails are covered with top coat and the finishing agent is dried.

Glitter on nails: how to make beauty with your own hands

Before the invention of gel polishes, manicure was a frequent and rather tedious task, since just a few days after the procedure the coating lost its attractive appearance, became cracked, dulled or chipped. With the invention of shellac, everything changed; caring for and maintaining pens in an attractive condition is no longer such a frequent and labor-intensive process. By creating the perfect coating for yourself just once or twice a month, you don’t have to worry that it will be ruined tomorrow.

Need to know

When figuring out how to apply glitter to gel polish, you need to understand that such a permanent coating will last even longer than without glitter. Glitter strengthens the manicure, making it not only attractive and original, but also more durable. If usually gel polish does not require correction for 2-4 weeks, then with glitter applied it can last for a month and a half without changes in appearance, with timely adjustments in the cuticle area.

Types and types of glitter for gel polish

In order not to mislead you, let us immediately make a reservation that almost any sparkles are pieces of ordinary metallized foil film cut into small pieces. They can be colored and transparent, silver and gold, as well as a wide variety of, sometimes absolutely unimaginable, shades. Glitter can consist of tiny circles, squares, triangles and even more complex shapes, and the size of one such sparkle can be absolutely tiny (it will), or it can reach 3-5 millimeters in diameter (glitter).

The most common type of glitter and dust are the dry types, which are sold in tiny glass flat jars. In this case, applying glitter to shellac is very simple, which is why the popularity of such material is constantly growing. Essentially, these glitters are fine powder of different colors, which is applied to the sticky layer of gel polish before the top coat.
The second option is liquid glitter, which is a mixture of colored powder and transparent gel polish. You can purchase this option in bottles, exactly the same as for regular varnish. The disadvantage of this glitter is that its density in a transparent base is predetermined and if you want to make the glitter more saturated, you will have to apply several layers, which can be dangerous for durability due to the thickness of the coating.

When planning to apply glitter to your nails, be sure to wash well, then dry and dry your hands. They should not be greasy, dirty or wet, otherwise the glitter will “spread” everywhere and will be extremely difficult to wash off later. In order not to cause yourself unnecessary trouble, it is better to take precautions in advance and work very carefully and carefully.

How to make glitter on gel polish

You should apply liquid glitter to gel polish differently than powder or glitter:

Remove dust and grease from treated nails using a napkin and a special product.
They are coated with primer and allowed to dry.
Then follow 2 layers of base and dry each of them in turn.
Nails are painted with gel polish of the desired shade and polymerized.
Using a thin brush, take a portion of glitter from the jar and place it on the plate.
You should try to distribute it so that the product lays down in an even layer.
Next comes another drying.
The ends of the nails must be slightly filed to remove small particles of glitter.
Top coat is applied to the plates.
And it should be polymerized.

Liquid glitter can be applied in 2 layers if there are bald spots left after the first one. Instead of using a base at the 3rd stage, you can use acrygel to strengthen your nails.

How to choose

Glitter nail polish is chosen based on the desired design and skill level. Some varieties are easy to work with, while others require skill and additional tools.

Glitter nail polish	How to choose
Clear polish with glitter	When choosing, you need to pay special attention to the consistency of the varnish. The glitter should not form lumps. Their uniform distribution in the varnish will ensure a high-quality coating on the nails. This varnish is suitable for both a single-color design and for drawing patterns and other decorations. In this case, you should choose a varnish with a thin brush. Clear glitter polish is the best choice for beginners. It is easy to distribute over the nail, and it does not require the purchase of additional devices and tools for manicure.
Colored nail polish with glitter of different sizes	This varnish is used for single-color designs in pop art and pin-up styles, as well as for decorating French, moon and reverse French. When choosing, you need to note the concentration of glitter in the varnish. The higher it is, the easier it will be to perform a manicure. This polish is also suitable for beginners. It is recommended to apply it on a manicure base so that glitter of different sizes lay evenly on the surface, and this varnish should be secured on top with a top coat.
Gel polish with glitter	When choosing a shiny gel polish, you need to pay attention to the saturation of the shade. The denser the varnish, the fewer layers will be required to apply it evenly. Varnishes that are too thin may leave streaks. To use this type of varnish, a UV lamp is required.
Magnetic gel polish with glitter	This varnish creates a “Cat Eye” design. The color of the varnish should be dense. When choosing sparkles, you need to evaluate their concentration. Creating a design with magnetic varnish will require experience. An iridescent volumetric stripe reminiscent of a cat's pupil is created by a special magnet. This varnish must be dried in a UV lamp.
Single-phase gel polish with glitter	The advantage of single-phase varnishes is their ease of use. They do not require the application of base or top, so they are ideal for beginners. The glitter in this varnish is finely dispersed and evenly dispersed over the entire surface of the nail. They don't attract much attention, so the main emphasis is on the color of the polish. This varnish is suitable for creating laconic classic designs. To dry it, you need a UV lamp.
Shiny gel paste	When choosing a gel paste, the main thing is its texture. It should not spread, but it should not be too thick. The correct consistency is similar to condensed milk. When making a design with shiny gel paste, certain steps should be followed: The gel paste is applied only to a base with a sticky layer dried in a UV lamp. Work with gel paste is carried out with thin brushes. The dried gel paste must be covered with 2 layers of top coat. You need to remove the sticky layer from the top coat.
Gel polish with mica glitter	Mica is a large-sized sparkle with irregular edges. It is usually paired with traditional metallic glitter. When choosing this varnish, you should pay attention to the quality of mica. It should reflect light well and play with multifaceted tints. The mica should not be frayed or have creases. To fix it on your nails you will need 2 layers of top coat.

A successful choice of varnish determines the quality of the manicure in the future. In addition, the durability of the design on the nails depends on the varnish.

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:

Applying liquid glitter

Design with liquid glitter is done in the same way as with regular varnish. It is applied to a dried colored layer or they are used to draw some kind of pattern on the nail plate. Small difficulties may arise only in beautifully applying large glitter to your nails. To arrange them evenly, you will need a thin dot or toothpick, with which you can move the sparkles, and also remove excess glitter or add missing ones, but this must be done before the polish dries.

How to use glitter for gel polish

It is more convenient to use sparkles for medium-sized gel polish, which are also called sequins, as follows:

Prepared nails are painted with a flower bed over a dried base.
The coating is dried in a lamp.
Then a topcoat is used on the nails.
Shiny sequins are transferred to a damp surface with a brush and placed in random order.
Use an orange stick to remove shiny particles from the skin around the nails.
The coating is dried under a lamp.
To secure the decor, another layer of finishing agent is applied.
It is also polymerized.
It is necessary to remove the sticky layer by moistening the napkin with a cleanser.
The surfaces of the nails and ends are treated with a buff.
Now they should be wiped with a degreaser.
Then use the last layer of topcoat and dry it in a lamp.

How to Apply Glitter to Shellac

Applying glitter to shellac is no more difficult than applying glitter to gel coating, but you need to be careful when shaking off excess decor. To do this, it is better to use a fan brush rather than a brush or buff. Shellac is a more delicate coating than gel. And it is easy to scratch it with hard tools.

Here's how to use glitter nails with shellac:

Apply a base to the treated plates and polymerize the layer.
Paint your nails with a flower garden, also dry, but shortening the time your hand spends in the lamp by 2 times.
Take a small brush, pick up glitter with it and place it on the plate.
Use the same tool to distribute the decor more evenly.
Dry the coating completely.
Apply a buff to the ends of the nails and fan the surfaces with a fan brush.
Use finishing agent.
Dry it.

How to sprinkle glitter on gel polish

You can sprinkle glitter on the gel polish if they are dry, that is, powder or glitter are suitable for this method:

A coated manicure is done on the nails.
A layer of top coat is applied to the dried gel polish.
Using a pusher or a plastic spatula, take portions of glitter and pour the product onto the wet surface of the nail until it is completely covered.
You need to wait a few seconds until the glitter penetrates the top and “sits.”
You need to lower your finger and tap on it so that the excess glitter falls off.
The coating is dried in a lamp.
The surface of the nail is treated with a brush to remove excess glitter.
All that remains is to apply the top coat and cure it.

While sprinkling the plate with sparkles, your finger should be held over the container in which they are stored. And you should put a large napkin under it, as the decor easily scatters around.

Manicure with sparkles on the tips

A manicure with glitter on the tips is quite extravagant, but at the same time a very versatile option. This design is a little similar to the French one, but when performing the first, the line is not clear, but blurred, and shifts towards the hole. Pink, beige, purple, black and white tones serve as a universal base for glitter. Additional decor for nail design are kamifubuki and extraordinary designs.

How to apply dust to gel polish

There are several ways to apply dust to gel polish, the first one should be:

Prepare your nails, apply primer, apply base, and dry.
Paint your nails with a flower garden and polymerize the coating.
Apply another layer of base or top, do not dry.
Dip your finger into the jar of glitter powder several times.
Remove it, lower it down and knock so that the excess powder falls off.
After a few seconds of waiting, the finger is placed in the lamp.
Fan the nail with a fan brush or brush to get rid of any remaining excess powder.

In the second method, shining dust is sprinkled onto the wet coating several times until it completely covers the nail. Excess amount of product should be shaken off by lowering your finger and tapping it with the applicator. Then the coating is dried, after which the nail is lightly brushed. And a top coat is applied on top, which is also polymerized.

The third method involves mixing glitter powder with a finish or transparent base. The proportions are chosen independently. And the product is applied like a gel polish, that is, on a dried base, possibly in 2-3 layers. This method is more convenient than others if you need to highlight a design with sparkles or draw patterns.

Rating of colored varnishes

Glitter nail polish must be selected according to several criteria:

density;
saturation;
glitter concentration;
brand;
price.

The best varnishes satisfy all of the above criteria. These can be either gel polishes or regular polishes.

Grattol Opal 03

This gel polish has a thick consistency and a delicate ash-pink hue. It has a medium concentration of holographic glitter.

Thanks to this, the glitter is evenly dispersed across the nail without covering the base color. The size of the glitter is microscopic. They are made in a round shape.

Holographic shimmers resemble the shine of precious stones. The advantage of this varnish is its ease of distribution and self-leveling.

Dense color allows you to apply the coating in 1 layer. Another advantage is the relatively low price - 330 rubles. The disadvantages include the soiling of the coating.

Since the shade is pastel, it loses its glossy shine after 3 weeks. Therefore, this varnish requires mandatory fixing with a top coat. You will also need a UV lamp to use it.

RU Nail Indi 3567

This gel polish has a rich red tint. In high concentrations, an accumulation of metallic red sparkles can be observed. Thanks to the combination of the color of the glitter with the color of the varnish, they do not overlap, but enhance each other. This rich red color is the main advantage of the varnish. In addition, it has high strength. The coating remains glossy for up to 4 weeks.

The disadvantage of varnish is that it requires a sufficient level of skill to work with it. If you do not work carefully, the varnish can get on the skin or cuticle, and due to its bright color, it will leave streaks when washed off. The cost of this varnish is 165 rubles.

CND Tango Passion

This polish has a bright plum shade. It contains high concentrations of blue and gold pearlescent sparkles.

The advantage of the varnish is its density and hypoallergenicity. The durable coating does not lose its glossy shine for 8 weeks. The special formula protects the coating from chipping.

The disadvantage of this varnish is its poor combination with bases and tops from other companies. It may turn yellow or shrink in the lamp.

Therefore, to work with CND, you need to purchase the entire line of drugs. The high cost of varnish is also a disadvantage. It is 1010 rubles.

Essie Sweater Weather

This thick emerald varnish contains microscopic sparkles - shimmer. They vary in color from golden to yellow-orange. This transition creates smooth tints on the nails, due to which the color of the varnish will change depending on the lighting. It can appear either black or light green.

The advantage of varnish is the ease of working with it. This does not require a UV lamp, topcoat or primer.

The disadvantages include poor adhesion of the material to the nail. The wearing period of such coating usually does not exceed 5 days, after which chips and abrasions form. The cost of the varnish is 400 rubles.

OPI Chifond Of You

This pastel beige polish contains a scattering of metallic silver glitter. On nails, this color looks feminine, creating smooth tints of color without a bright shine. The advantage of this varnish is ease of use. A manicure does not require a UV lamp or professional materials.

The disadvantage of the varnish is its high cost - 800 rubles. In addition, light shades tend to lie on the nails in stripes and form gaps. The wearing period of the coating is also short - up to 7 days.

How to mix gel polish with glitter

To mix gel polish with glitter, you need to place a few drops of it on the palette. A pinch of decor is poured nearby. And mix both components with a thin brush or spatula. After this, the varnish must be applied to the nails so that the glitter does not sink to the bottom of the liquid. But you should prepare such a quantity of the mixture that there is enough for everything, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve uniform coating on each plate. This method is suitable for powder and glitter.

You should not pour glitter directly into a bottle of gel polish. They will quickly settle to the bottom. And in order to distribute the decor evenly, you will have to shake the bottle before use. And this will lead to bubbles on the nails when applying gel polish.

It is best to add sparkles not to the flower bed, but to the top. Finishing agents have greater adhesion than gel polish. And the decor will not prevent the top from adhering tightly to the previous coating. And gel polish with glitter can fly off your nails faster than they grow back.

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.

How to apply dry glitter to gel polish

There are several ways to apply dry glitter to gel polish:

Mix them on the palette with a transparent top or base. The resulting product is applied to the dried colored coating, polymerized, then the ends are treated with a buffer. And on top the nails are protected with a finish.
On the sticky layer of the flower bed. Nails are painted with gel polish; after drying in a lamp, the surface is not wiped. A portion of dry glitter is poured onto it and carefully distributed over the plate with a flat brush. After a couple of seconds, you need to work on the surface with a clean fan brush so that the excess particles fly off. Then you need to apply topcoat and dry.
For a wet finish. The product is applied over dried polymerizing varnish. Decor is poured onto it, controlling the density of the layer. The hand is placed under the lamp. Then the excess shimmering particles are brushed off, and the ends of the nails are treated with a file for the same purpose. You need to cover everything with one more layer of finish, dry it, and the design is ready.

We're not looking for a reason

This design option is suitable not only for special and festive occasions. It is thanks to the combination with a transparent color that a design with sparkles can be made everyday, not at all colorful, and at the same time stylish. It will definitely add zest to absolutely any look. In addition, it is absolutely not tied to the time of year and does not lose its relevance.

A transparent manicure with glitter will perfectly decorate both short and long nails. This design is truly versatile. For short nails, subtle glitter patterns or gradients are perfect.

Subtle glitter gradient

But with such a length, it is better not to resort to the French version with glitter - shimmering particles at the tip of the nail can visually shorten the nail plate. But such an unusual French manicure is a definite must-have for long nails.

French with glitter

Transparent polish or gel polish, glitter – that’s the whole arsenal for creating sparkling nails. By the way, another bonus of such a manicure is that the grown part of the nail will be less noticeable.

Note! Don't go overboard with the amount of glitter in your design. Stylish means in moderation. Follow this rule and you will always be in trend.

Interesting: Manicure for Valentine's Day

How to rub glitter into gel polish

You can also rub glitter into gel polish if you use finely ground decor:

The nails are painted over a dried base with a flower bed with a sticky layer.
It needs to be dried in a lamp.
The shiny powder is scooped up with a brush and applied to the plate with patting movements.
The same tool is used to distribute the decor more evenly.
You need to wait a few seconds for the shining particles to connect more tightly with the sticky layer of varnish.
Use a soft fan brush to fan your nails to remove excess shiny particles.
The next layer is the top.
It needs to be polymerized.

Glitter powder, glitter or kamifubuki, as well as liquid shining compositions, make the design catchy and original. The decor looks good with bright lacquer colors and pastels. Just don’t use it in abundance so that your nails don’t look like Christmas tree decorations. However, if you want just such an effect, a manicure will not cost you much. After all, a jar of glitter costs only 25-60 rubles.

Properties

Glitter varnishes prove to be not only easy to apply, but also durable to wear. They can last on nails for more than 2 weeks if regular polish was used. In the case of gel polishes, wear can last up to 6 weeks. Long wear is also due to the non-marking coating. Thanks to the reflection of light from the sparkles, such a manicure is not in danger of abrasion and the disappearance of the glossy shine.

The article provides examples of beautiful nail polishes with glitter.

If a manicure uses a varnish with a transparent base and a light concentration of glitter, its durability will be up to 6-7 weeks. With this manicure, nail regrowth is minimally noticeable. Therefore, the duration of its wear depends only on the individual nail growth rate.