Noah Sinclair
Adding glitter to gel nails is a fun and creative way to spice up your manicure. There are several methods to achieve this look, depending on the type of glitter you use. For loose glitter, you can mix it with a clear base coat and apply it like a glitter gel polish, or sprinkle it over the gel and cure it in place, finishing with a top coat. If you're using a chunky glitter mix, you can apply it directly to the nail with a fluffy nail art brush, or pick up individual pieces with a dotting tool or fine brush and place them where you like. You can also create a sugared effect by sprinkling fine glitter over a finished enhancement and curing it in an LED light before applying a top coat.
Applying Glitter to Gel Nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Glitter Type | Fine or Chunky |
| Application Method | Sprinkle, Brush, Makeup Sponge |
| Cure Method | LED Light, Lamp |
| Top Coat | Yes |
| Number of Top Coats | 1-2 |
| Additional Products | Base Coat, Nail Mate Cuticle Oil, Builder Gel |
| Tools | Dotting Tool, Fine Brush, Fluffy Nail Art Brush |
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What You'll Learn
Using a fine glitter mix
If you are using a fine glitter mix, the process is straightforward. You can mix your chosen fine glitter with a Nail Mate base coat and apply it like a standard glitter gel polish. Alternatively, you can sprinkle the fine glitter over the gel and cure it in place, followed by two top coats.
When using loose glitter and gel polish, it is important to consider the type of glitter mix. For example, if you are using a chunky glitter mix, you may want to tip a few pieces out onto a tray and use a dotting tool or a fine brush with a small amount of base coat to help pick up the glitter pieces and place them individually onto the nail. This technique allows you to get creative and design unique styles, such as mosaic nails.
If you want to create a sugared effect, you will need to choose a fine glitter mix and apply it to your finished enhancement before the top coat. Apply a gel top coat, such as the Nail Mate Super Gloss Top coat, which is a no-wipe gel formula. Once you have applied the top coat, but before curing it, sprinkle the glitter onto your nail, ensuring it covers the entire surface. Tap the nail to remove any excess glitter, and then cure it in an LED light for one minute.
You can also use a fluffy nail art brush to dab the glitter onto your nail, ensuring full coverage. Burnish, or rub, the glitter into the tacky layer of the gel polish and allow it to cool for 30 seconds. Finish by applying Nail Mate Cuticle oil.
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Using a fluffy nail art brush
Start by preparing your nail. Apply a layer of gel polish and cure it under an LED lamp. You can play around with the curing time to create a tacky base for the glitter to adhere to. A slightly tacky surface will help the glitter stick better and create a smoother finish.
Next, it's time to grab your fluffy nail art brush. Dip the brush into your chosen loose glitter. Make sure the brush is nicely coated, but not overloaded, with glitter. You can tap off any excess glitter back into the container to avoid making a mess.
Now, gently pat the fluffy brush onto your nail. Ensure you achieve full coverage by carefully patting the glitter onto the entire nail surface. You can gently rub or burnish the glitter onto the tacky layer of gel polish to help it adhere better.
Once you're happy with the glitter coverage, let your nail art dry for a bit. Allow the nail to cool for about 30 seconds. This step is crucial to ensure the glitter sets properly and doesn't smudge when you apply cuticle oil or a top coat.
Finally, finish your glitter gel nails with a nourishing cuticle oil, such as Nail Mate Cuticle Oil. This will help moisturize your cuticles and add a healthy shine to your nails. You can also choose to apply a top coat for added shine and protection.
With these simple steps and the help of a fluffy nail art brush, you can easily add glitter to your gel nails. Remember to clean your brush after use and store your loose glitter carefully to avoid spills and messes. Enjoy your sparkling nail art!
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Applying chunky glitter
Firstly, prepare your workspace by placing a small amount of base coat onto a mixing pallet or tray. You can use a product such as Nail Mate Base Coat. Then, tip out a few pieces of the chunky glitter you have chosen into the pallet or tray. You want to ensure the glitter is spread out so you can easily pick up individual pieces.
Next, apply a colour gel or acrylic design to your nails. This will be the base colour for your glitter design. Once you are happy with your base colour, it's time to add the glitter. Using a dotting tool or a fine brush, dip it into the base coat and then use this to pick up individual pieces of glitter from your pallet or tray. Carefully place the glitter pieces onto your nails, creating your desired design. You can get creative here and try out different patterns, such as a mosaic style, for a unique and eye-catching look.
After you have applied the glitter, you will need to cap it with a builder gel. This step will help to smooth out any bumps and give your nails a professional finish. Look for a builder gel that is a little thicker, such as Clear BUILD+, as this will help to create a smooth surface. Once you have applied the builder gel, cure your nails in a lamp to set the design.
Finally, to add extra shine and protection, apply a top coat such as Nail Mate Super Gloss. This will give your nails a glossy finish and help your design last longer. You may need to apply two coats of the top coat to ensure the glitter is smooth and secure.
With these steps, you can create stunning gel nails with chunky glitter that are sure to dazzle and impress!
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Using loose glitter with gel polish
If you're using loose glitter with gel polish, you'll need to consider the type of glitter mix you're using. There are two main types of glitter: fine and chunky. If you're using a fine glitter mix, you can simply mix it with a base coat like Nail Mate and apply it like regular glitter gel polish. You can also sprinkle the fine glitter over the gel and cure it in place, then apply two top coats.
If you're using a chunky glitter mix, try pouring a few pieces out onto a pallet or tray. Then, apply a base coat over your colour gel or acrylic design where you want to apply the glitter. Use a dotting tool or a fine brush with a little bit of base coat to pick up the glitter pieces and place them individually onto the nail. You can create a mosaic effect with this method. Once you're happy with the placement, cap the glitter with a builder gel like Clear BUILD+ to add thickness and smooth out any bumps.
Another method for applying loose glitter is to use a fluffy nail art brush. Dab the brush into your glitter and pat it onto the nail, ensuring full coverage. Burnish (rub) the glitter into the tacky layer of the gel polish, then allow it to cool for 30 seconds. Finish by applying a cuticle oil like Nail Mate Cuticle Oil.
If you're using a pre-mixed glitter acrylic, start by saturating your brush in monomer and wiping it on the side of a dappen dish. Then, dip the brush into your glitter acrylic and pick up a bead. Apply the bead to your nail, moving it around until you achieve the desired effect.
You can also create a sugared effect by applying a gel top coat to your finished enhancement before it cures. Sprinkle your chosen fine glitter over the entire surface of the nail, tapping off any excess. Cure the glitter in an LED light for 60 seconds, then dust off any remaining excess glitter.
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Using pre-mixed glitter acrylic
To apply pre-mixed glitter acrylic to your gel nails, you'll first need to saturate your brush in monomer. Wipe the brush on the side of your dappen dish to remove any excess, and then dip it into your chosen glitter acrylic. Pick up a bead of the glitter acrylic with the brush, and apply it to your nail, repeating this step until you're happy with the coverage.
You can also create your own pre-mixed glitter acrylic by mixing clear acrylic powder with loose glitter. At Glitter Planet, for example, you can choose from over 600 unique glitters to create your custom mix.
If you're using a fine glitter mix, you can simply mix it with a clear base coat and apply it like a glitter gel polish. You can also try sprinkling the fine glitter over the gel and curing it in place, before finishing with two top coats.
For a chunkier glitter mix, tip a few pieces out into a pallet or tray. Apply a clear base coat over your colour gel or acrylic design, focusing on the area where you want to apply the glitter. Then, use a dotting tool or a fine brush with a small amount of base coat on it to help you pick up the individual pieces of glitter and place them exactly where you want them on your nail.
Once you're happy with the placement of the glitter, finish with a builder gel to encapsulate it and add shine.
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Frequently asked questions
You can mix fine glitter with a base coat and apply it like a glitter gel polish. You can also sprinkle the fine glitter over the gel and cure it in place, following with two top coats.
You can use a fluffy nail art brush to dab the glitter onto your nail, ensuring full coverage. You can also use a makeup sponge or a dense, short-haired makeup brush.
Tip a few pieces of the glitter onto a tray, then apply a base coat over your colour gel design where you want to apply the glitter. Then, use a dotting tool or a fine brush with a little bit of base coat to pick up the glitter pieces and place them individually onto the nail.
You can use a builder gel to encapsulate the glitter, which will help to remove any bumps. If there are still lumps, you can file and buff the nail to smooth it out, and then apply a top coat.
