How to Apply Glitter on Nail Polish

Co-authored by Lindsay Yoshitomi

Last Updated: December 17, 2023 References

One of the best ways to add a little more sparkle to your life is a glitter manicure. If you don't want to use glitter nail polish, you can apply loose glitter over regular nail polish.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Regular Nail Polish

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Wipe your nails down with nail polish remover. This will get rid of any old polish, dirt, and oils. Trim your nails down with clippers, then shape them with a file. If you need to, use an orange stick or a cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles.
2
Apply a base coat and base color. Apply a thin layer of base coat to each nail, then let it dry. Follow up with a single coat of your desired nail polish to each nail. Wait for the polish to dry before continuing. ^{[1]
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- Your nail polish can be flat, matte, or pearlescent, but it needs to match the glitter that you will be using.
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Don't do the other nails just yet. You need the nail polish to be wet in order for the next step to work. If you paint all of the nails now, the polish will dry and the glitter won’t stick. ^{[2]
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4
Shake some glitter onto your nail. Tilt your nail around as you shake the glitter onto it so that gets evenly coated. Work over a sheet of paper to catch the excess glitter that falls off your nail. You can use nail art glitter, as well as cosmetic-grade glitter or even crafting glitter. ^{[3]
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- If you are using crafting glitter, be sure to use the finest grain you can find.
Twist your hand so that your nail is facing the paper. Gently tap your finger with your other finger. This will knock off any loose glitter. Next, flip your finger back over and wait for your nail to dry. This can take a few minutes, so you can move on to your other nails at this point. ^{[4]
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Work one nail at a time. Apply a thin coat of nail polish, then shake on the glitter. Tap the excess glitter off, then move onto the next nail. Make sure that all of your nails are nails are dry before moving onto the next step.
Run a soft eyeshadow brush over each nail, starting at the nail bed and finishing past the tip. This will knock off any excess bits of glitter that did not stick and give you a smoother finish. ^{[5]
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Apply a thin layer of clear top coat to each nail. Wait for the top coat to dry, then apply a second layer to each nail. Allow that layer to dry as well. ^{[6]
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Use a thin brush dipped in nail polish remover to wipe away any nail polish stuck to the skin around your nails. If you notice any roughness along the tips, you can gently sand it away with a nail file.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Gel Nail Polish

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Wipe your nails down with a gel cleanser first. Trim and shape them as desired with clippers and a nail file. Use an orange stick or a cuticle pusher to push back your cuticles, if needed. ^{[7]
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2
Brush on your pre-gel primer and base coat. Apply a thin coat of pre-gel primer and let it air dry for 30 seconds. Brush on a thin layer of gel base coat, then let it cure under a UV lamp for 1 to 2 minutes. ^{[8]
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- If you got any gel base coat onto your skin, be sure to wipe it off with an orange stick before curing it.
Don't worry if the polish looks thin now; you will eventually be doing a second coat. Choose a color that is similar to the glitter that you will be using. ^{[9]
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4
Brush on another coat of polish, then immediately add the glitter. Apply a thin coat of gel polish to your first nail. While the polish is still tacky, sprinkle your desired glitter over it. Gently pat it down with a fan-shaped brush, then blow off any excess glitter. Don't do the other nails just yet. ^{[10]
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- You can use nail art glitter, cosmetic glitter, or even extra-fine scrapbooking glitter!
Allow your nail to cure beneath the UV lamp for 1 to 2 minutes. Use an orange stick or a tissue to wipe off any excess glitter. Focus especially on the skin around your nails. ^{[11]
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Apply a medium to thick layer of clear gel top coat to your nail. Allow it to cure beneath the UV lamp for 2 to 3 minutes. The thick top coat will help make your nails smoother. If you want a rough texture, use a thinner layer of gel top coat instead. ^{[12]
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Gel manicures are usually still tacky after you finish curing them. You can fix this by wiping the nails down with a cotton ball soaked in gel cleanser. File away any roughness on the tips of your nails with a nail file. ^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Doing Glitter Nail Art

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Wipe your nails down with nail polish remover to clean off any existing nail polish, dirt, and oils. Trim and shape your nails with clippers and a nail file. Use an orange stick or a cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles.
Apply your usual base coat first. Let it dry, then apply 1 to 2 coats of your desired base color. A flat, neutral color, such as buff will work great. You can also go with other colors and finishes as well, including matte and pearlescent.
3
Block off the areas you don't want glittered with pieces of tape. Tap the tape against your skin first to make it less sticky, then lay it down across your nail. You can do it vertically, horizontally, or even diagonally. You can even use multiple strips to create a striped or banded effect!
- Use circle stickers to create a French tip!
- For a polka-dot effect, skip the tape and use a tiny brush or a toothpick to make little dots of clear polish instead. Do just one nail for now. ^{[14]
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4
Paint a coat of clear polish onto your first nail, then remove the tape. Only do one nail for now. Apply a thin layer of clear nail polish over your first nail, then quickly peel the tape off. The glitter will only stick to the part with the top coat.
- If you are doing the polka-dot effect, skip this step.
You can use special nail art glitter, cosmetic glitter, or even craft glitter. If you choose to use craft glitter, consider getting the finest type you can find; this will give you a smoother look.
Allow the polish to dry for 1 minute. Next, use the fan brush to gently brush the excess glitter away. Focus on the painted part of the nail that you did not cover with glitter.
Remember to work one nail at a time. Apply the clear nail polish, then peel the tape off. Sprinkle the glitter on, pat it in place, wait 1 minute, then brush the excess off.
8
Apply a thin layer of clear top coat over each nail. Be sure to cover the glittered part as well. If you want to, you can use this time to apply tiny nail art gems to complete the look. Be sure to apply them while the top coat is still wet, however, or they won't stick!
- If you used matte polish as your base coat, you'll need to use a glossy top coat over the glittered part and a matte top coat over the un-glittered (matte) part.
If you got any glitter or polish onto your skin, use a brush dipped in nail polish remover to wipe it off.

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Tips

Apply school glue to the cuticle area before you begin your manicure and let it dry. When you are done painting your nails, peel the glue and mistakes away! ^{[15]
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Research source} You can also use a liquid latex skin protector. ^{[16]
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Expert Source

Lindsay Yoshitomi
Nail Artist

Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.}

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The top coat may dull the glitter a little. Leave it off if you want more sparkle, but be aware that the texture may be rougher as a result. The glitter may also shed. ^{[17]
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If your nail polish is old and getting too thick, add some nail polish thinner to revive it. ^{[18]
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Expert Source

Lindsay Yoshitomi
Nail Artist

Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.}

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Things You'll Need

Using Regular Nail Polish

Nail polish remover
Nail clippers
Nail file
Orange stick
Base coat
Top coat
Nail polish
Glitter
Soft eyeshadow brush

Using Gel Nail Polish

Gel nail cleanser
Nail clippers
Nail file
Orange stick
Gel nail primer
Gel base coat
Gel top coat
Gel nail polish
Glitter
UV lamp for gel manicures

Doing Glitter Nail Art

Nail polish remover
Nail clippers
Nail file
Orange stick
Base coat
Top coat
Nail polish
Glitter
Fan brush

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[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

Expert Source

Lindsay Yoshitomi
Nail Artist

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[18]

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How to Apply Glitter on Nail Polish

Steps

Using Regular Nail Polish

Using Gel Nail Polish

Doing Glitter Nail Art

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Things You'll Need

Using Regular Nail Polish

Using Gel Nail Polish

Doing Glitter Nail Art

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References

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