Sophia Delgado
Creating gel nails at home with Magpie Glitters is simple and fun. Magpie Glitters are high-quality nail glitters that provide incredible sparkle and shimmer to your nails. With over 200 options, you are sure to find a glitter shade that you will love. There are several ways to apply Magpie Glitters to your gel nails, including using a sponge applicator, a dotting tool, or simply shaking the glitter directly onto your nails. You can also mix the glitter with a clear gel to create a glitter gel or apply loose glitter directly onto the tacky layer of your gel nails.
How to apply Magpie glitter to gel nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of application techniques | 3 |
| Type of glitter | Loose glitter, chunky glitter, or a mix of glitter and gel |
| Tools | Magpie Applicator Brush, Magpie LED lamp, Magpie Duster Brush, Magpie Silicone Tool, Magpie Teal Detailer brush, Magpie Give Me Strength, Magpie Top It Off, sponge applicator, dotting tool |
| Steps | Dab loose glitter onto tacky layer of gel, cure in lamp, brush away excess, apply strength layer, cure, apply top layer, cure |
| Mix glitter with gel, apply with brush or tool, cure, apply top layer, cure | |
| Pour chunky glitter onto uncured gel, cure twice, apply strength layer, cure, file top, apply top layer, cure | |
| For a glitter fade, dab glitter onto tacky gel, cure, apply strength layer, cure, file top, apply top layer, cure | |
| Sprinkle sugaring glitter onto an uncured layer of Top It Off or Magpie Gel Paint, cure, brush off excess |
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What You'll Learn
Applying loose glitter to gel nails
Prepare the glitter
Before you begin, decide whether you want to apply the glitter directly to the tacky layer of gel or mix it with a clear gel to create a glitter gel. If you choose the latter, mix the loose glitter with a clear gel, such as Magpie Give Me Strength, at a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2, depending on the desired opacity. Smooth out any uneven glitter distribution with a brush or silicone tool.
Apply the glitter
There are a few methods to apply loose glitter to gel nails:
- Using a brush: After curing your gel colour, use a brush to apply loose glitter to the tacky layer of gel. Gently dab or brush the glitter onto the nail, ensuring even coverage.
- Using a sponge: Dip a makeup sponge into the loose glitter and gently press it onto the partially cured gel base coat.
- Pouring directly onto the nail: For chunkier glitters, pour the glitter onto an uncured layer of gel. Ensure the large pieces are laying flat, then cure the nail twice in an LED lamp.
Seal and cure
Once you have applied the glitter, seal it in with a top coat. If using the Magpie brand, apply a layer of Magpie Top It Off and cure it under an LED lamp for 60 seconds to achieve a high shine. For chunkier glitters, you may need to apply two coats of the top coat to smooth out any texture.
Finishing touches
If you notice any rough pieces of glitter sticking up, gently file the top of the cured gel to smooth them out. You can also mix loose glitter with acrygel or acrylic powder for enhancements and added durability.
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Using a sponge applicator
Prepare Your Nails
Before you start applying glitter, make sure your nails are ready. Tidy your cuticles, cleanse your nails, and apply a base coat. You can also apply two coats of colour, curing each layer. This will give you a good base for your glitter application.
Choose Your Glitter
Select the Magpie glitter you want to use. You can use loose glitter or glitter gel. If you're using loose glitter, you can mix it with a clear gel, such as Magpie Give Me Strength, to create a glitter gel. The ratio of gel to glitter can be adjusted depending on the desired opacity.
Dip and Dab
Now it's time to use your sponge applicator. Dip the sponge into your glitter pot or glitter gel. Gently pat the sponge onto your cured nail in a dabbing motion. This will help the glitter adhere to the tacky gel colour on your nail. Repeat this process until you achieve your desired level of glitter.
Cure and Smooth
Once you've applied the glitter, cure it using a Magpie LED lamp. Cure times may vary depending on the technique and products used. For example, curing the glitter onto a tacky layer of gel may take around 10-30 seconds. After curing, gently brush away any excess glitter using a duster brush.
Top Coat
To protect your glittery nails and add shine, apply a top coat, such as Magpie Top It Off. Cure the top coat for a high-shine finish. Again, cure times may vary, but a 60-second cure is often recommended for a durable finish.
Experiment and Create
With Magpie glitter and a sponge applicator, you can create various nail art designs. You can play with different polish and glitter combinations to achieve unique colour finishes. Try pairing matte with glitter or creating a glitter fade effect. Don't be afraid to experiment and get creative with your nail art!
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Creating a glitter gel
Prepare the Glitter Gel
Mix the glitter with a clear gel, such as Magpie Give Me Strength, to create a glitter gel. The ratio of gel to glitter can vary depending on the desired opacity. For a more translucent look, a 1:1 ratio is recommended, while a 1:2 ratio will result in a more opaque finish. Mix the glitter and gel until you achieve a consistent texture.
Apply the Glitter Gel
Using a Magpie Silicone Tool or a Magpie Teal Detailer brush, carefully apply the prepared glitter gel to your nails. Ensure that you smooth out any uneven glitter particles for a uniform finish. This step requires precision and patience to achieve a neat and consistent application.
Cure the Glitter Gel
Once you have applied the glitter gel, it's time to cure it. Place your nails under a Magpie LED lamp for 60 seconds. This process will harden the gel and ensure that the glitter adheres securely to your nails.
Apply a Top Coat
After curing, finish your glitter gel nails by applying a layer of Magpie Top It Off. This top coat will add a high shine to your nails and protect the glitter gel design. Cure the top coat under the LED lamp for an additional 60 seconds.
By following these steps, you can create beautiful and long-lasting glitter gel nails at home. Remember to use nail-specific glitter, such as Magpie Glitters, for the best results and to avoid any damage to your nails. Enjoy experimenting with different glitter colours and ratios to create unique and sparkling nail art!
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Applying glitter nail polish
If you're using a salon-quality glitter polish, the application process is the same as with any other gel colour. Simply apply the polish to your nails and cure it under a lamp. This is the easiest way to get glittery nails, and you can find glitter polishes in a variety of shades and finishes, with the glitter "floating" in the gel formula.
If you want to use loose glitter, the process is a bit different. First, paint your nails with a gel polish in the colour of your choice and cure it under a lamp. Then, you can either sprinkle the loose glitter onto the tacky layer of gel or use a sponge applicator or dotting tool to apply it more precisely. If you're using larger pieces of glitter, you may need to lay them flat on the gel and cure it twice to ensure they adhere properly. Once the glitter is applied, brush off any excess and seal it with a top coat to give your nails a high shine.
Another option is to create your own glitter gel by mixing loose glitter with a clear gel. The ratio of gel to glitter can vary depending on how opaque you want the final result to be. Once you've mixed the two together, apply the glitter gel to your nails and cure it under a lamp. You can also add a final layer of clear gel and cure it again to make your nails extra shiny.
With any of these methods, you can create beautiful and long-lasting glitter nails that are sure to make a statement!
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Removing excess glitter
First, it is important to allow the gel polish and glitter to dry completely. This is essential because it ensures that the glitter particles are securely adhered to the nail surface. Attempting to remove excess glitter while the polish is still wet can cause smudging or uneven distribution of the glitter.
Once the gel polish and glitter are completely dry, you can begin the process of removing the excess. Start by gently brushing away the loose glitter particles with a soft-bristled makeup brush or a dedicated nail art brush, such as the Magpie Duster Brush. Use light, sweeping motions to avoid disturbing the glitter that is already adhered to the nail. This step will help remove any glitter that is not securely attached and will help create a cleaner look.
If there are still areas with excess glitter or if you want to create a more precise design, you can use a clean, soft-bristled brush or a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to gently wipe away the unwanted glitter. Be careful to only remove glitter from the specific areas you want to target and avoid over-saturating the cotton swab, as this may dissolve the base colour or affect the surrounding glitter.
For stubborn glitter particles that seem difficult to remove, you can carefully use a gentle nail file to smooth out the surface. Lightly buff the area with the file, taking care not to apply too much pressure, as this could damage the nail or the gel polish. This step will help create a more even and uniform finish.
Finally, to ensure that your glitter gel nails are long-lasting and smooth, it is important to seal them with a top coat. Apply a thin layer of a high-quality top coat, such as Magpie's "Top It Off," to each nail, allowing it to cure completely. This will not only enhance the shine and overall appearance of your manicure but also provide a protective barrier that will help prevent chipping and extend the wear time of your glitter gel nails.
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Frequently asked questions
Using a gel polish or top coat with glitter is the easiest way to achieve glittery nails. The glitter is already mixed into the gel polish formula, so you can apply it like regular nail polish.
You can use a sponge applicator or a dotting tool to apply loose glitter to gel nails. Dip the tool into your glitter pot and pat it onto your cured nail in a dabbing motion. You can also simply shake the glitter directly onto your nails.
Magpie Beauty USA recommends two methods. The first is to mix Magpie Give Me Strength (clear) with glitter to create a glitter gel. Apply this mixture with the Magpie Silicone Tool or the Magpie Teal Detailer brush. The second method is to dab loose glitter onto the tacky layer of your Magpie gel with the Magpie Applicator Brush. Cure the glitter onto the gel for 10-20 seconds in the Magpie LED lamp.
No, you should use nail glitter that is specifically made for application to nails. Regular glitter could damage your nails.
This depends on the type of glitter you are using. For loose glitter, a sponge applicator or a dotting tool can be used. For glitter gel nail polish, use a silicone tool or a detailer brush.
