How to apply glitter to shellac step by step instructions. How to apply glitter on gel polish: relevance and application

If you want to make a French look or something else, it won’t hurt to learn how to apply glitter to gel polish. Today the price for such work is much more than 150 rubles, so it is best to do everything yourself at home. Not only thematic photos and videos can help with this, but also this step-by-step instructions. I’d like to point out right away that you can use shellac, kodi, zo, bluesky, miracle gel and gel polishes from other manufacturers, because the technology is the same for everyone.

Glitter is taken and mixed with a small volume of modeling gel, after which the gel and the sparkles that will be in it are applied in a very thin layer and dried. All that remains is to cover the plates with a thin layer of ordinary gel. The second method is similar to its predecessor, but there are some features. First, polishing is done, after which the first layer is applied. Then a modeling layer is applied. But it is not dried, and glitter is applied immediately after application with a brush. Further, the technology repeats its predecessor. If you want to make a French coat or something else, it won’t hurt to learn how to apply glitter to gel polish. Today the price for such work is much more than 150 rubles, so it is best to do everything yourself at home. Not only thematic photos and videos can help with this, but also this step-by-step instructions. I’d like to point out right away that you can use shellac, kodi, zo, bluesky, miracle gel and gel polishes from other manufacturers, because the technology is the same for everyone. Applying glitter to gel polish First method: If dry glitter is used, then before applying it to the gel, it is necessary to treat the nail plate. In some cases, filing and polishing are performed, as well as deburring and cuticle processing.
Nails are polished with a polishing stone
Having completed the preparation, you need to start using the base gel, which is applied in a thin layer. After this, you need to wait for it to dry and make a second layer. For the second layer, modeling gel is used.
A drying lamp will help speed up drying.
Glitter is taken and mixed with a small volume of modeling gel, after which the gel and the sparkles that will be in it are applied in a very thin layer and dried. All that remains is to cover the plates with a thin layer of ordinary gel. The second method is similar to its predecessor, but there are some features. First, polishing is done, after which the first layer is applied. Then a modeling layer is applied. But it is not dried, and glitter is applied immediately after application with a brush. Further, the technology repeats its predecessor.

To use the easiest way to decorate any single-color coating, you need to know how glitter is applied to gel polish. For women who try to take care of the appearance and condition of their hands and at the same time adhere to fashion trends, glitter is a favorite nail decoration.

However, applying glitter grains to a painting or solid tone gel very often causes difficulties. Without following the correct recommendations, such decorative pollen will lie unevenly, and will also collect in clumps. This result will not only have an unattractive appearance, but also cause some inconvenience, for example, clinging to clothes and hair.

Using glitter in manicure

Glitter powder or larger iridescent particles are widely used to create both festive and everyday manicures. Every representative of the fair sex can make such a design, adding only a slight shimmer or generously covering the nail with pollen. Glitter is increasingly being used to cover the gel base in order to maintain a beautiful manicure for as long as possible.

Manicure ideas using glitter delight with variety. Recently, a very popular technique is to cover all the nails with the same color and decorate the ring fingers with sparkles. You can decorate several nails or a French area at once in the same way, which ultimately looks quite harmonious. And, of course, you can create a popular French pattern by decorating it with a decorative coating - draw flowers, hearts, animals, etc. and sprinkle with glitter.

In a word, with glitter and gel polish you can fully express your imagination, emphasizing your individuality and desired style, and the result of the work done will delight you with luxury and gloss for a very long time.

However, even experienced manicurists can sometimes doubt whether they will be able to successfully execute their intended design with glitter. After all, applying them to gel is not as easy as it might seem, and at least the appearance of the nails depends on it.

Read also: The best nail design tutorials

Therefore, before embarking on such a procedure, you should carefully prepare. To do this, below are 2 main methods of applying glitter to a gel coating.

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Basic ways to use glitter with gel polish

For a brilliant design, you need to prepare the following materials:

  • gel polish of different colors;
  • ultraviolet lamp for drying;
  • orange sticks or pusher;
  • manicure and art brush;
  • capacity;
  • files for processing and polishing;
  • sparkles.

Let's consider the first method of application. Before applying glitter to the gel surface, your nails should be treated. That is, they are filed, polished and the cuticle is necessarily processed. When the nails are prepared, they should be covered with a base thin layer of gel polish and wait until the base dries and becomes matte in color. After this, you need to apply a thicker layer of gel, which should also dry in a lamp.

To apply sparkles or dry glitter to your nails, you must first mix it with a small volume of gel, preferably transparent, in a separate container. The mixed gel is applied in a thin layer to the nails and dried. The amount of glitter is added to the gel at your own discretion. You can cover the nail completely or just some part separately.

The final stage is to cover it with another thin layer of gel, but without glitter, which needs to be dried. Then the sticky layer is removed and a glossy finish is applied to the nails.

To apply glitter using the second method, you don’t have to deviate much from the previous steps. Nails are also amenable to initial treatment and are prepared for manicure using standard methods. After this, they should be coated with varnish, then, after drying, with a thick layer of gel. This is where you need to stop, that is, do not dry the last layer, but carefully apply glitter on it in the right place and in the required amount, scooping it out of a jar using a dry brush.

Many different techniques and methods of applying varnish are used by girls in manicure. I want to somehow diversify my everyday French or simple color on my nails, so masters and amateurs resort to using glitter in their works. Nail glitter is a good tool for creating a bright, festive, shimmering look; with its help you can easily create a beautiful and unusual manicure.

Glitter - what is it?

Nail glitter is just regular glitter. It can be quite large, or it can be very tiny, literally dust. All girls know first-hand what glitter is. Surely, at least once in our lives, each of us has tried to paint our nails with shiny varnish, where small shining particles are glitter.

What is glitter used for in manicure?

There really are a lot of options for using glitter. Usually it is added to the varnish to add mystery, a certain mystery, since glitter, as you can see, is a very bright and noticeable thing; when using it in nail design, a girl has every chance that such a striking manicure will be noticed and appreciated by many people. In general, its main task is to attract attention (not necessarily of the opposite sex) and complement the image.


How to apply glitter for manicure?

Let's start with the fact that in general there are 2 types of glitter - dry and liquid. Many people are familiar with liquid glitter – it’s a shiny nail polish. As for dry glitter, it also has a small branching, that is, subspecies.

Large glitter

These are particles of shiny material of quite large sizes. Usually large glitter is shaped - it has a certain shape: a circle, a heart, a snowflake, etc. Very often, it is large glitter that is used in various nail polishes, since it acts as a kind of addition to the main color composition.

Glitter powder

Glitter dust is usually used as a separate pigment. In general, powder particles are extremely small specks of dust that have a bright color and strong shine. This type of glitter is applied to the base (it is customary to use transparent varnish as a base), and the result is a full-fledged coating that has a very bright shine.

Glitter sand

Not all girls understand this trend of colored sand on their nails, but still some fashionistas have already managed to appreciate its advantages. Glitter sand is colored sand consisting of sparkles. When applied to the nail, a velvet effect is created, and the nail plate also becomes more voluminous, since a fairly thick layer of glitter is required for a dense coating.

Everyone probably understands how to apply liquid glitter to their nails. The nail plate is simply covered with shiny varnish, everything is extremely simple. But when it comes to dry glitter, there are some nuances that definitely need to be addressed.

Applying large glitter

Traditionally, large glitter complemented the base color; with its help, a pattern was created on the nail, that is, particles of large glitter are best applied individually. Tweezers are very useful for this, as they are very convenient for picking up glitter.

Before starting to create a manicure, a base in the form of a transparent varnish must be applied to the nail, and only then the main color. Once the pigment has dried, use tweezers to place the glitter particles, creating a unique design. When the pattern is ready, we apply the base on top of it again, but this time to consolidate the result. Without clear polish, your manicure will last much less time.

Applying glitter powder

To apply glitter powder, it is very convenient to use ordinary cosmetic sponges or even eyeshadow applicators. Glitter particles adhere firmly to the surface of the applicator, making them convenient to “rub” into the nail. It is with glitter powder that a mirror manicure is created, which has become so popular recently.


Photo of mirror manicure:

First of all, apply a transparent base to the nail. When the base has dried, without applying colored varnish, we begin to rub the glitter into the nail using an applicator. The fact is that the main color of the nail is determined not by varnish, but by glitter. We fix the result with transparent varnish.


Applying glitter sand

The principle of operation of glitter sand is clear to everyone, but how to use such unusual sparkles? Here a special wooden manicure stick, a plastic spoon and gel polish will come to the rescue. It is not advisable to use ordinary transparent varnish when creating a manicure with sand, since on the very first day the whole result will easily come to naught, because the girl needs to wash her hands and dishes, which has an extremely negative effect on the manicure.

Having degreased the surface of the nail, carefully pour sand onto the nail plate with a spoon, and “knock off” all the excess with a wooden stick, tapping it on the finger. Having finished applying glitter, we fix the manicure with shellac.

Doing a manicure with shellac is a pleasure. With its help, you can create a design that will allow you to express your individuality and uniqueness. Today, nail art offers such a variety of decor that the most fastidious fashionista can decorate her nails to her liking.

To add brightness to your pens, you can use glitter. These are metallized, finely chopped pieces of film. They come in colored and transparent, different sizes and shapes. These can be circles, rectangles, but more often they are hexagons from 0.1 to 4 millimeters. Sparkling elements whose size does not exceed a millimeter are called “dash”; decor of larger sizes is called glitter.

Depending on the application technique and the amount used, glitter nail designs are suitable for any occasion.

Some girls like to apply this coating in a thick layer, others give their nails only a slight shimmer. You can purchase this brilliant miracle at any nail store. The price of such jewelry depends on the quality and manufacturer, but on average it is not high.

What types of sparkles are there?

Before purchasing such a nail decoration, you need to understand what types exist. This will help you choose exactly what is suitable for the chosen manicure option. This decor is available in two types.

Dry glitter

This is a loose powder, similar to multi-colored powder. It is applied to the varnish that has not yet dried or to the sticky layer of shellac, before applying the top coat. If the glitter is large, it can be applied using tweezers. Fine powder is applied using synthetic brushes. If your entire nail is covered, you can simply dip it in a jar of glitter.

When applying, it is important that your hands are dry, otherwise your whole body will sparkle.

It consists of shiny decorative elements mixed with transparent liquid varnish. It is sold in bottles similar to regular polish. Its disadvantage is that the density of the decor in the liquid has already been determined, and it will not be possible to apply sparkling plates in a very dense layer.

The easiest way to apply the liquid version of glitter. It is applied to a dry base using a brush like regular nail polish. It is better to cover the nail completely or part of it with this decor. It can also be used for patterns, but to make the design bright, it is best to resort to the dry version. When working with large glitter, you can use a toothpick or dots to align, remove or add sparkling plates.

There are more variations on the theme of applying dry glitter:

  • To cover the entire nail plate, you can simply dip your finger, nail side down, into a jar of decor. You can press on top with your finger for better adhesion.
  • To make a pattern, you need to lay it out on a dry nail plate with varnish or glue. Sprinkle glitter on top until the pattern is dry, wait until it dries and brush off any excess sparkling plates.
  • Applying sparkles with an amber effect requires great care. A certain amount of decor is collected onto the brush.
  • You can safely sprinkle the required amount on the tip of the nail, but above you need to sprinkle a little to make the effect smooth. You can do the same thing, only in the opposite direction, starting from the base, moving towards the free edge.
  • You can mix dry glitter with colored or clear nail polish and apply as usual.

There are, of course, other options, for example, using water for application. But not everyone likes this method. Nevertheless, this method does exist.

Technology of rubbing glitter into gel polish

One of the simplest types of decorating a shellac coating is rubbing in glitter. Even beginners can cope with this task. You can cover all your nails with glitter or highlight a couple of fingers and cover the rest with just color. First you need to choose compatible colors of shellac and glitter.

  • ultraviolet lamp
  • Files and buffs must be clean
  • Synthetic flat glitter brush
  • Degreaser
  • Primer
  • Shellac
  • Sequins
  • Liquid for removing dispersion layer

First you need to prepare the handles. Disinfect, shape the free edge and remove the cuticle. Then you can apply the materials:

  • Apply a thin layer of base and dry.

There is no need to be afraid that the layer is too small; after polymerization it will harden, and a thick coating will cause cracks and peeling.

  • Cover the nail plate with gel polish. If the entire nail is covered with glitter, then you don’t need to paint the second layer.
  • Apply glitter to the sticky layer of shellac using a brush.

To prevent the brush from smearing the glitter over the surface, it should be soft and loose. To prevent the glitter from flying away, you need to hold your finger over the jar.

  • Carefully brush off excess. Some people think that glitter needs to be rubbed into the nail, but this is not so. It rubs itself in when removing excess.
  • Cover with top coat and dry.
  • Remove the dispersion layer.

For a mirror shine and a smooth surface for rubbing, you need to use small “dast” glitters. Large specimens can damage the coating and may result in loss of smoothness and shine. Here are some options for rubbing in glitter:



What is stretching

The technology for applying glitter by stretching is the same as amber, only instead of colored varnish there are multi-colored glitter. This is a very simple and quick way to prepare your nails, for example, for a party.

Performing the gradient technique requires great care and perseverance. Making the transition from one color to another is not so easy. But at the same time, it is much easier to create such decoration with glitter than with varnish. This is especially easy if you use dry small glitter. If you use large glitter, the process will take longer and be more difficult.

Stretching is done with two or more colors. Typically, the tip of the free edge is brighter, and closer to the base of the nail the color becomes lighter. But the other way around is also possible. Diagonal amber looks original. This is what the glitter design with stretch looks like:

In conclusion, we can conclude that glitter is a very versatile element of nail decoration. Rubbing in sparkling plates turns out to be not such a complicated procedure that can be done even at home. And gel polish will fix the chic manicure design and preserve the design of your nails for a long time.

The beauty industry does not stand still; every day more and more products appear that are designed to emphasize the individuality of the fair sex. One of the favorites is glitter, they can turn the simplest manicure into a work of art and make it festive. There are many techniques for applying glitter that will allow you to create miracles on your nails without much effort.

Glitter manicure kit

To apply glitter you will need:

  • multi-colored sparkles;
  • base coat;
  • top coating;
  • nail file;
  • multi-colored nail polishes;
  • nail polish remover;
  • cotton pads;
  • orange stick;
  • brushes of different thicknesses;
  • toothpick.

Preparing your nails for applying glitter

Before applying glitter, you need to prepare your nails for a manicure. Use an orange stick to push back the cuticle and carefully remove it. Use a file to create the desired shape. After completing the procedure, moisten a cotton pad with nail polish remover and wipe the nail plate with it. Apply base coat to prepared nails and let it dry completely. Now you can start coating with colored varnish. Apply it in 2 layers.

Types and methods of applying glitter

Sequins differ according to several criteria:

  1. Color spectrum. There are monochromatic and combining several shades.
  2. Size. For example, large sparkles or rhinestones, multi-colored dust, colored sand.
  3. Method of application. Some types of glitter are fixed with a special glue; small ones can simply be sprayed onto the varnish.

Application of colored sand

Now this type of glitter is at the peak of popularity. It is used for nail decoration and consists of small grains, often golden and silver in color. But the color range doesn’t end there; if you wish, you can find sand in red, black and blue shades on store shelves.
Apply base to prepared nails and then let it dry. Cover the base with a fixative and, without waiting for it to dry, spray sand until a thick matte coating is formed. Once completely dry, brush off excess sand with a soft brush. Manicure is ready!


Applying colorful dust

This type of glitter is ideal for a gradient manicure, as the transitions are smooth. In this case, you will not need special sponges.
Apply a light shade of varnish to base coated nails and leave until completely dry. After the first layer has dried, apply a more contrasting shade to the tips of the nails (it can be black, red, pink). Don't try to make the edges even. After drying, cover the entire nail plate with clear varnish. Without waiting for the varnish to dry, apply a little dust with a brush to the junction of the lighter and more contrasting color of the varnish. Apply the dust unevenly, making the layer denser in the middle of the nail and almost transparent at the edges. Thus, the transition will become invisible. Transitions can be either horizontal or vertical. It all depends on your imagination.

Applying large sparkles and rhinestones

Before applying large sparkles or rhinestones, come up with a design and select the tone of the varnish. Apply polish to base coated nails. Using a toothpick, grab the rhinestone or glitter and place it on the nail plate. Repeat the procedure until the intended drawing is ready. Cover the nail with a sealer or regular clear polish in two layers. Leave until completely dry. If the rhinestones are very large, use glue. Apply a small drop to the nail, grab the rhinestone with a toothpick moistened with water and place it on top. Hold it down.

As you can see, it’s easy and quick to make your everyday manicure look elegant with the help of glitter. Don't be afraid to experiment!