Glitter by the rules: how to apply glitter to gel polish

One interesting way to add some sparkle to gel polish is to create a statement manicure. Whether you want a delicate sheen or a striking, glitzy effect, applying it correctly can make all the difference.

To make sure your glitter looks perfect and lasts as long as possible, there are a few essential techniques. To achieve the ideal finish, it all comes down to following the correct procedures, from selecting the ideal glitter to becoming an expert at applying it.

With the help of this guide, you’ll be able to easily achieve salon-caliber results at home. Let’s explore the glitzy world of gel polish and discover how to achieve dazzling nails.

Glitter on nails: how to make beauty with your own hands

Before gel polishes were developed, getting a manicure was a common and laborious procedure because the coating would quickly become dull, chipped, or covered in cracks, losing much of its original beauty. All of that changed with the discovery of shellac; keeping hands attractive no longer requires frequent and labor-intensive maintenance. If you apply the perfect coating for yourself just once or twice a month, you won’t have to worry about it getting ruined the next day.

You should be aware that the permanence of the glitter coating will outlast the gel polish itself when attempting to apply glitter to it. Glitter fortifies the manicure, adding to its uniqueness, appeal, and durability. When glitter is applied, gel polish can last up to 1.5 months without losing its shine if it is corrected in the cuticle area on time. Normally, gel polish requires correction every 2-4 weeks.

Types and kinds of glitter for gel polish

We will state right away that almost all glitter is simply small pieces of regular metallized foil cut into sheets in order to avoid misleading you. They can be transparent and colored, silver and gold, or any combination of these in a myriad of sometimes completely unfathomable shades. Tiny circles, squares, triangles, and even more intricate shapes can be found in glitter. The size of a single glitter particle can range from minuscule dust to three to five millimeters in diameter.

• The most common type of glitter and dust are their dry types, which are sold in tiny flat glass jars. In this case, applying glitter to shellac is very simple, because the popularity of this material is constantly growing. In fact, such glitter is a fine powder of different colors, which is applied to the sticky layer of gel polish before the top coat.
• The second option is liquid glitter, which is a mixture of colored powder and transparent gel polish. You can buy this option in bottles, exactly the same as for regular polish. The disadvantage of this glitter is that its density in a transparent base is determined in advance and if you want to make the glitter more saturated, then you will have to apply several layers, which can be dangerous for durability due to the thickness of the coating.

You must thoroughly wash, wipe, and dry your hands before applying glitter to your nails. It will be very difficult to wash them off later if they are oily, filthy, or wet because the glitter will "creep" everywhere. It is preferable to take preventative measures beforehand and to work extremely carefully and cautiously in order to avoid giving yourself unnecessary trouble.

Your manicure can look more polished by adding glitter to gel polish, but there are certain steps you must take to ensure a perfect finish. This entails cleaning your nails properly, selecting the appropriate kind of glitter, and applying it so that the sparkle is uniform and long-lasting. Anyone can create a gorgeous, salon-quality look at home with a few easy techniques.

How to use glitter for nails: decorating gel polish

The process of applying glitter manicures on gel polish is fundamentally different from regular acetone or acrylic-based varnishes, so any girl who wants to try it out should know exactly how to do it. It is advisable to weigh your options beforehand and select the one that best suits your needs or the situation, as there are multiple action algorithms that yield distinct outcomes.

Necessary tools and materials

You must have all the required tools and equipment in order to create a lovely manicure and firmly adhere the glitter to the gel polish; otherwise, nothing will work. But, the majority of the supplies and tools are already in your possession if you have ever completed a gel permanent manicure. Let’s determine what you need to do in order to get ready for work and complete everything as advised by professionals.

• Primer for better adhesion of gel polish to the nail plate.
• Base for applying gel polish, shellac itself, as well as a top colorless coating. It is best to buy high-quality materials so that you don’t have to guess later why your beautiful manicure cracked after a week of wear.
• A special UV lamp or LED design. In the first case, you will have to dry each layer of the coating a little longer, two minutes, and in the second, thirty seconds will be enough.
• A flat brush and fan-shaped brushes for applying glitter, thin brushes for drawing and others that may be required for work are better to take synthetic ones, they are more reliable and durable.
• Glitter of any chosen type.
• Special liquid for removing the sticky, dispersion layer.

To properly remove the cuticle and give the nails the desired shape, you might need special tweezers, scissors, files, and other tools. If a beauty does her own gel polish coating, she will have all of these tools at her disposal. Reading up on applying gel polish beneath the cuticle will help ensure that your manicure is always tidy and appealing.

We do a manicure with glitter in transparent gel polish

Using a non-dry substance, such as a liquid colorless base containing glitter or dust, is the most straightforward method for applying glitter to gel.

• Do a manicure, shape your nails, apply a primer and cover them with a base colorless coat, then dry them in a lamp for the required time.
• Choose the base color for the gel polish with glitter and apply it in one or two layers, depending on the quality of the material. Each layer must be dried under a lamp until completely dry.
• Without erasing the top dispersion layer from the coating, apply an additional layer of gel with glitter, either according to the pattern or completely, and then dry again.
• The last step is to apply the top coat, so that the surface is glossy and smooth. This layer is also dried under a lamp.

This is the easiest method for adding glitter to gel polish, but since there aren’t many design possibilities, it doesn’t leave much creative freedom. However, this task can be completed by someone who has never used gel polish before.

How to apply dry glitter to gel polish

The easiest way to apply dry glitter, especially if it’s small enough, is to do a manicure first, apply a base and a modeling layer, and then dip the nail into a jar of glitter without taking off the dispersed coating. Next, any extraneous material is gently tapped off on a hard surface, like a table, and a top coat is applied. The top coat is then completely dried under a lamp. However, this technique will only be effective if glitter needs to be applied to the entire nail.

• After you have done a manicure and covered the nail plate with a base and a modeling layer of gel polish, you need to dry your nails well in a lamp.
• Apply the main pigment in one or two layers, which must be dried under the lamp.
• Next, apply a fairly thick layer of transparent gel polish, and then, without drying it, carefully sprinkle it with glitter. After this, the nails are sent to the lamp. If necessary, the manipulation can be repeated several times, but without getting too carried away, which is beneficial, for example, when applying any kind of drawing. Then patterns are drawn with gel, which are sprinkled with glitter, then everything is dried, and the excess is knocked off.
• The last step, again, will be applying the top and final drying in the lamp.

As a result, after putting in a lot of effort and time, you can make one-of-a-kind designs using glitter in a variety of colors and sizes, like the current ombre trend. This option will appear opulent and fashionable, particularly if everything is completed precisely and neatly. There is nothing complicated to do; simply place the glitter on a brush, place your nail over the jar, and tap the glitter gently from a short distance. This is how many people like to sprinkle glitter on gel polish to prevent it from flying everywhere.

Applying glitter to shellac correctly: rubbing in glitter

Girls frequently go into a complete stupor when they hear the term "rubbing in" or "rubbing in" glitter because a rational person would never understand how anything could be rubbed into the hard surface of shellac. The devil is not as horrible as he is made out to be, and everything is really very straightforward. It is best to use a special gel for work that dries quickly and to set the lamp for minimum or medium time.

Finding the precise moment when the varnish is no longer flowing but has not fully polymerized is crucial when rubbing in glitter, and it is unlikely to be successful without practice. It will take multiple experiments to get a satisfactory outcome.

• Do a manicure, remove the cuticle and apply the base, dry it under the lamp.
• Next, apply the selected gel polish and dry it slightly under the lamp, without letting it dry completely.
• Type sparkles on a soft and loose brush, start gently rub them into shellac where you are going to make the decor, spending the same place several times.
• Further, as usual, the nails are covered with a top and dried under the lamp until completely hardened and fixed.

With this method, a very appealing coating can be achieved without the need to pour sparkles over gel polish. The sparkles appear to have been rubbed and imprinted with color varnish, adding unique depth and character.

Glitter added to gel polish can take an ordinary manicure and make it spectacular. A brilliant, long-lasting appearance that will stand out can be achieved by following the correct procedures and using high-quality products.

Always take your time, apply the glitter evenly, and make sure to properly seal it with a top coat. This will guarantee that your manicure maintains its integrity and radiance.

You can become an expert at adding glitter to gel polish and transform your nails into a true representation of your personal style and creativity with a little perseverance and practice.

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