How to Do the Faded Glitter Look With Nail Polish

Apply faded glitter over a clear nail polish for a subtle look.

The faded glitter look imparts a festive and glamorous appearance to any manicure without coating your entire nail with glitter. Combine it with a complementary base color for a vibrant manicure, or use the glitter nail polish over a clear base coat for a barely-there shine. The faded glitter look is perfect for a day at the beach, a girl’s night out or that special holiday party. Purchase glitter nail polish designated as “nail artist paint” or “nail art polish.” This polish comes with a fine-tipped brush that will allow you greater control and create a faded rather than thick glitter design.

Things You'll Need

• Base coat
• Nail polish
• Glitter nail art polish
• Top coat

Instructions

1. Apply a base coat to clean nails.

2. Paint on two coats of a colored nail polish. This step is optional. Allow the nail polish to dry before proceeding so you do not create smears or pick up the color with the glitter nail polish brush.

3. Create a line of glitter following the tip of one nail. The line can be as tall as you like. For a glittery French manicure, paint the entire white tip of the nail with glitter polish. For a more subtle appearance, only paint a line as tall as the nail brush is wide.

4. Wipe the excess polish from the brush on the inside of the glitter nail polish bottle.

5. Press the tip of the brush into the glitter nail polish at the side of the nail. Pull the brush through the nail polish, working from the tip of the nail to the cuticle. Do this repeatedly along the width of the nail.

6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 for the rest of your nails.

7. Allow the glitter nail polish to dry.

8. Apply a top coat to protect the nail polish.

Tips & Warnings

• Pair glitter and nail polish in your team’s colors to show you school spirit.

• Apply the glitter at the cuticle rather than the tip for a bold variation.

References

• Seventeen: Try Gold Glitter Faded Nails for the Holidays!