Noah Sinclair
There are several ways to encapsulate glitter on gel nails, including using loose glitter or glitter gel nail polish. One method involves applying a base coat, followed by two coats of colour, and then sprinkling the glitter over the nail and gently pressing it on. Another way is to use a bead of clear gel and dip it into loose glitter before transferring it to the nails. When using glitter gel nail polish, you can apply a thin layer of clear gel and then add the glitter gel, building up the structure as you go.
How to encapsulate glitter on gel nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Glitter type | Loose glitter, pre-mixed glitter, or glitter gel polish |
| Application method | Using a brush, finger, or dipping the nail into the glitter pot |
| Base coat | Apply a base coat and cure it before applying glitter |
| Number of glitter coats | Two coats of colour, curing between each layer |
| Glitter application | Pop the finger into the bag of glitter, sprinkle the glitter over the nail, or use a brush to pick up glitter and place it on the nail |
| Buffing | Gently buff the glitter into the nail with a small nail art brush using circular motions |
| Top coat | Apply a clear gel top coat, such as a builder gel or no-wipe top coat, and cure it |
| Filing | File the nail into the desired shape after applying the top coat |
| Cleansing | Wipe the nail with a cleanser before and after filing |
| Design options | Create a sugared effect, glitter ombre, reverse glitter ombre, or Pick-A-Boo design |
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What You'll Learn
Using loose glitter with gel polish
One method is to apply a base coat and cure it. Then, apply two coats of colour, curing between each layer, and leaving the tacky layer. Dip your finger into a bag of glitter or sprinkle the glitter over the nail. Gently press the glitter onto the nail and tap off any excess. Buff the glitter into your nail with a small nail art brush in circular motions to help it stick to the tacky layer and create a smooth, flat finish.
Another method is to use a bead of clear acrylic. Pick up a clear bead of 'crystal clear acrylic' with a brush and dip it into the loose glitter. Transfer the glitter to your nails, spreading it smoothly for an even finish.
If you are using a gel polish system, you can mix a small amount of base coat with glitter on a mixing pallet until you reach the desired consistency. Apply this mixture to your nails, ensuring it is not too clumpy or dry.
To encapsulate the glitter and create a full-cover glitter look, apply a thin layer of clear gel over the entire nail. File the nail into shape and finish with a top coat.
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Applying a thin layer of clear gel
When applying the first layer of clear gel, it is important to be precise and apply a very thin layer. If the layer is too thick, you may end up filing the glitter away later when shaping the nail. A thin layer of clear gel, such as Lexy Line Cool Gel, will provide the full effect and dimension of the glitter gel.
To apply the clear gel, use a bead of crystal clear acrylic on a brush. Make sure the bead of acrylic is "wet" so that it can easily pick up the loose glitter. Gently place the glitter where you want it on the nail, being careful not to apply too much around the cuticle area, sidewalls, and free edge.
After applying the glitter, encapsulate the entire nail in another layer of clear gel. This step will help to seal in the glitter and create a smooth, even finish. Finally, file the nail into the desired shape and finish with your preferred top coat.
By following these steps and applying a thin layer of clear gel, you can achieve a professional-looking, long-lasting, and mess-free glitter gel manicure.
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Buffing the glitter into your nail
Before you begin buffing, it's important to ensure that you have applied the glitter properly. Start by applying your base coat layer evenly and curing it. Then, add two coats of your chosen colour, curing between each layer. Leave the tacky layer intact as it will help the glitter adhere better.
Now, you have two options to apply the glitter. You can either sprinkle the glitter over your nail or gently press your finger into the glitter pot, covering the entire nail in one go. If you choose to sprinkle the glitter, use a small nail art brush to gently buff it into your nail using circular motions. This technique helps to press the glitter onto that tacky layer, ensuring it lays flat and feels smooth.
If you opted to cover your entire nail in glitter at once, use your finger or a brush to gently press down on the glitter. This pressing motion helps to secure the glitter onto your nail. After applying the glitter, use a nail art brush to gently buff it into your nail, ensuring an even and smooth finish.
It's important to use a nail art brush specifically, as it provides more control and precision during the buffing process. This allows you to strategically place the glitter and create detailed designs. Additionally, be mindful not to apply too much glitter gel around the cuticle area, sidewalls, and the free edge of your nail.
Finally, finish off by encapsulating and sealing your glitter manicure. Apply a layer of clear builder gel or a no-wipe top coat, curing it for about 60 seconds under an LED lamp. This final step ensures that your glitter gel nails are long-lasting and salon-worthy. Regular glitter is not recommended for nail art as it may be damaging to your nails.
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Using a nail art brush to fill in missing spots
To encapsulate glitter on gel nails, you can use a nail art brush to fill in missing spots. This method is ideal for loose glitter, which is the most versatile option when it comes to nail art.
First, apply a base coat layer evenly and cure it. Then, apply two coats of colour, curing between each layer. It is important to note that you should not wipe off the tacky layer that will be left on your nails. At this point, you can either place your finger into a bag of glitter or sprinkle the glitter over your nail. Gently press the glitter onto your nail and tap off any excess.
Now, use a small nail art brush to fill in any missing spots. Buff the glitter into your nail using gentle, circular motions. This will help the glitter adhere to the tacky layer, ensuring that it lies flat and feels smooth. You can also use the brush to push the glitter around without disrupting the colour.
Liner brushes are excellent for nail art, as they can be used to structure the nail and create clean, straight lines. Longer bristles are ideal for painting long, straight lines, while shorter bristles are better for detailed work. Angular brushes can also be used to create beautiful two-toned flowers.
To clean your nail art brush, you can use either acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover, depending on the type of bristles. Dip the brush into the remover and swish it around for 10 to 20 seconds. Then, blot the brush on a paper towel or cotton pad. You can also deep clean your brushes by dipping them into isopropyl alcohol.
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Applying a top coat to encapsulate and seal the product
Applying a top coat to seal in the glitter and finish your manicure is the final step in encapsulating glitter on gel nails. Before applying the top coat, you should ensure that the glitter is cured and that any excess has been tapped off. You can use a nail art brush to add glitter to any spots that look sparse.
To encapsulate and seal the product, you can use a clear builder gel or a no-wipe top coat. Apply a thin layer of the gel or top coat to the entire nail, covering the glitter. Be careful not to apply too much product around the cuticle area, sidewalls, and free edge of the nail. Cure the top coat under an LED lamp for 60 seconds.
If you are encapsulating chunky glitter, you may need to take extra steps to ensure the glitter is fully covered. First, use saran wrap and a pincher tool to hold the glitter in place so that it curves with the nail. Cure the nail, then peel off the wrap. Apply clear gel to any areas where glitter is still exposed. Pick up a large bead of gel and gently float it over the thin, uncured layer of gel. Allow the gel to self-level by turning the nail upside down. Cure the nail, then remove the tacky surface with alcohol.
If you are using a pre-mixed glitter gel polish, you may not need to take extra steps to encapsulate and seal the product. However, you should still finish with a top coat to protect the manicure and add shine.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few different ways to encapsulate glitter on gel nails. One way is to use a crystal-clear gel, such as Lexy Line Cool Gel, as your first layer. This layer must be applied very thin and precisely. Then, apply your desired colour, such as Color Gel or ButterCream, and follow it up with the Glitter Gel. Finally, encapsulate the nail with another layer of clear gel, file it into shape, and finish with your preferred top coat.
Start by applying your base coat layer evenly and curing it. Then, apply two coats of colour, curing between each layer, and leaving the tacky layer. You can dip your finger into a bag of loose glitter or sprinkle it over the nail. Gently press the glitter onto the nail and tap off any excess. Buff the glitter into your nail with a small nail art brush in circular motions to make it stick to the tacky layer and lie flat. Finish by applying a layer of clear builder gel or a no-wipe top coat to encapsulate and seal in the product.
One method to encapsulate chunky glitter is to use saran wrap and a pincher tool to hold the glitter in place so that the pieces curve with the nail. Cure and peel off the wrap. Apply clear gel to any pieces that are sticking out. Without curing, pick up a big bead of gel and float it over the thin, uncured layer of gel applied previously. Let the gel self-level by turning the nail upside down so it rounds out. Cure, then remove the tacky surface with alcohol, and shape the nail. Clean the nail and apply a metallic top coat, then cure again.
