How To: Glitter Nails

So glitter nails. Simple, but a little messy, I have to admit.

But they look really pretty and glam. So I'm going to do a little tutorial on them.

What you need:

- A base nail colour. Because the glitter needs to stick to something, and a little of the colour will generally show through a bit. Mine is a lovely green Revlon colour.
- A pot of glitter. Large enough to fit your fingernail in. If not then you can decant into a container that you can fit your nail in. My glitter is just a cheap pot from a local craft store. But you can use specific nail glitter if you'd like.
- A small makeup brush. One that you don't mind getting glittery because this will be used to get rid of any excess glitter. I'll be honest, I didn't use one. Shall explain later.
- An orange wood stick. To neaten up the glittery edges and make the art feel more comfortable on.
- A clear top coat. Mine is from Miss Sporty.

What you do:

Step 1: Prep the nails. File them, buff them, cut down the cuticles and apply a base coat.

Step 2: Apply the base colour layer. Don't do it too thick because it won't dry well. I would also recommend doing one nail at a time, because you don't want the polish to dry before you put the glitter on (when I say one nail at a time, I mean one nail painted then glittered up and then move on to the next nail!).

Step 3: Dip the painted nail into the glitter so the whole nail is covered.

Step 4: Brush off any excess from around the nail and on the nail itself. To do this just gently brush over the glitter. Don't be too heavy handed, otherwise you'll move the polish and the glitter into a clump, which will look icky. I didn't use a brush, I used another finger to gently shift the excess.

This is without a top coat...

Step 5: Leave the nail to dry and either finish there, or you can add a top coat. Adding a top coat will keep the glitter in place longer, but will make it look a little more subdued.

...And this is with a top coat!

Step 6: Go back to the beginning and start again on your next nail!

And there you have it, glitter nails! Quick word of warning, they are rather messy to do (well, for me anyway) so I'd suggest doing these on a surface that will be easy to wipe the glitter off.

Hope you all enjoy having glittery nails! =]

I may try some new makeup looks over the next few weeks, and if they work out then I shall most definitely be putting up How To's of them. What do you think?

Love B xxxxx