Claudia WilliamsWith glitter nails are simply more festive and fun to wear. Glitter is the universally awesome nail color. There is just something about that glitz on your fingertips that puts a smile on your face.Going to a party? Going to the beach? Binge eating mochi on your couch while watching Will & Grace until you feel better about the world? Glitter nails are a hit for every occasion!Honestly, was there ever a time that glitter nails were unpopular? We really don’t think so. But if there was, we’re glad we don’t remember it.
50 Amazing Manicures to Find Your Glitter Nails Goals
Getting the looks in this gallery may require some special tools and techniques.You need a base coat (clear), polish in the base and glitter colors you like, glitter powder (optional, but recommended if you like the textured glitter look), a top coat, a small brush (to clean polish off skin around the nail), nail striping tape (if you’re doing traditional or reverse French or nail art with hard lines) and polish remover to clean up messy edges.
If you like the ombre trend, you can layer on your glitter freehand or use a makeup sponge to apply each coat. If you like the precision nail art or French tip nails, invest in some nail striping tape. It will give you a crisp line wherever you want it, and the special adhesive won’t mess up the layers of polish underneath. If you’re doing a full nail you can just paint with a clear base coat, then roll the nail in the glitter while the polish is still wet. If you want more of a dusting than full coverage, you can sprinkle it onto wet polish instead. You can use your nail tape to get precision lines with this technique as well.
You know the other amazing thing about glitter polish? It doesn’t chip like regular polish does. That’s right. It’s shiny and its invincible. Just like you. Let’s get to the polish!
1. Alternating Maroon and Pink Glittery Nails
This is a nail polish idea you could easily pull off at home. The thumb, index, and ring fingers are painted with a pretty deep maroon color. The pinky and middle fingers are painted with a rosy glitter polish, and the middle finger has a second layer of iridescent hexagonal glitter polish as a top coat. Simple!
2. Vibrant Green Iridescent Sparkly Cute Nails
If you’re one of those ladies who likes to try bold different nail designs then this is a fun challenge! The base color is a bright green. Glitter powder with an iridescent finish creates a prism of colors, and the effect is totally unique. It’s a creative manicure that could really set off a look for a special event…or just to wear for fun! These nails go so well with long layered hair ideas.
3. Nude, White and Gold Glitter Nail Art
This gold nail is not quite subtle, but not quite bold. This look is perfect for the nail addict that wants the best of both worlds. A fleshy nude creme color is the base. Then there is a bright white glitter nail design and a couple of golden nude accent nails. The eclectic short coffin nail designs are a fun riff on neutral polish. Pair this design with pastel pink hair for a truly gorgeous look!
4. Absolutely Perfect White Glitter Nails
Simple glitter is one of the manicure types that’s easy to do yourself and still gives you all the sparkle and glam you crave. This long nail design uses 2-3 coats of a white gold glitter in a clear base. It’s simple, beautiful, and easy to wear. This color could work just as well on short nails, too!
5. Ultra Glam Silver Glitter Nails
The almond nail shape and bright, glitzy glitter make this manicure worthy of a diva. There is a clear or nude polish base, topped with sparkly glitter polish in an ombre style that goes almost all the way to the nail base. The polish with larger glitter pieces combined with multiple coats makes this nail polish idea really sparkle.
6. Nude With Sparkly Glitter Tip Nails
Isn’t this manicure fit for an enchanted evening? You would need long nails to achieve this look. The base is a clear or nude jelly polish. The glitter is multi-shaped in silver with a colorful iridescent finish. Only the tips are painted with glitter. There is a subtle ombre at the smile line so it’s not exactly a “French” style, but its close.
7. Dangerously Sexy Gold Leaf Designer Nails
These ultra-glam designer nails are no joke. The long, sharp stiletto nail shape with clear tips is unique all by itself. There is a creative micro glitter gold leafing effect along the smile line. It’s super artsy with an imperfect hand-painted pattern, yet its somehow the perfect amount of polish for daringly different nail designs like this one.
8. Simple Gold Glitter Short Nail Design
Don’t let the length fool you. This glittery short nail design packs all the shine and glitz of its longer counterparts – and it’s easy to paint and wear! The key is to shape your nails just to fingertip length with a rounded shape. The dense gold glitter polish is painted right down to the cuticle.
9. Fit for a Mermaid Aqua Nail Art Design
If you’re heading to the beach (or really want to) this is your ticket to mermaid status. The anchor color (pun intended) is an aqua chrome that’s honestly stunning all by itself. Enter nail art designs. You’ve got aqua-to-white glitter ombre and gemstone accent nails to top it all off. It’s totally luxurious, and you totally deserve it.
10. Shimmery Acid Effect Pink Glitter Nails
Do you love pink nails? Do you love glitter? Do you love the 80s? Then there are the nails for you. It’s a totally 2018 take on 80s neon and it’s so fun! The neon pink color has glitter in different shapes and sizes throughout. It creates a cool acid-like effect and also shimmers and shines.
11. Iridescent Long Chrome Glitter Nails
The combination of iridescent chrome color with a glittery finish is a unique nail polish idea that’s bold and beautiful. This color would be awesome on long or short nails, and it’s actually pretty simple. The polish does all the work. It’s a dark chrome nails polish with an opalescent finish and micro glitter to make it sparkle as well as shine.
12. Classy Pink Polish With Textured Glitter Accent
OMG, we are in love with this cute easy nail design. This is the best neutral glitter nail design – totally appropriate for work and play. The base color is a creamy, semi-sheer baby pink. The ring finger accent nail is finished with an expertly color-matched textured glitter (probably from a glitter powder).
13. Neutral Ombre Glitter Nails and Pearl Accents
You’ve probably noticed that the neutral blush pink is a popular base color for some of these glitter tip nails. It lets the glitter do the talking. This manicure has some nails painted in full glitter, and some are done with ombre tips. The pinkie fingers have 3-D pearl nail art.
14. Electric Blue Glitter Nails With Silver
Oh, this manicure is so glossy and the blue/silver combo on the ombre nails is gorgeous! The base color is a cobalt blue with a hint of shimmer. The thick glitter is blue-to-silver ombre on most of the nails, with a cool triangle accent and diamond nail art on one nail of each hand.
15. Jelly Pink and Silver Glitter Nail Design
If a modern-day Disney princess got a manicure, this would probably be it. A super light shade of blush pink is used as the base color. There is a ring finger accent nail that’s full force silver glitter. On the other fingers, unexpected a-symmetrical tip art with the glitter. The effect is modern and classy while still being a little playful.
16. Shockingly Sparkly Prismatic Long Nail Design
This manicure means business. We’ve got long nails with full coats of iridescent glitter on every finger. But don’t stop there. A matching iridescent tone faceted gem is placed at the base of each nail. Serious bling! A manicure like this is a total show stopper.
17. Perfect Black and Gold Manicure
This manicure is what we need right now. Hands down, these are the best black glitter nails around. That shiny black base color is slick as heck, The textured gold foil glitter accent nail is gorgeous, and the gold sequins and beads on the second accent nail are just right. Nailed it!
18. Beige Nails With Chunk Glitter and Gold Tips
Layers upon layers of glitter! So fabulous. Layer one is a super light peachy pink creme hue. Layer two is a subtle gold micro-glitter ombre from tips to mid-nail. Layer three is the serious glitter. Thick multicolored pieces of glitz in ombre concentrated at the top of the nail so a bit of the gold peeks through.
19. Green With Envy Long Glittery Nails
These nails are totally boss. The stiletto shape is ridiculous glam all on its own, but add in the deep dark shade of green glitter that shines up and it is over the top in all the right ways. Channel your inner Elphaba with this long glittery mani.
20. Perfect White Wedding Nails With Silver Glittery Shimmer
Getting married? Congrats! We just found your manicure. These white glittery nails shimmer like the snow. There is really no color in this manicure. The base polish is flat white, and the glitter is silvery white, so the manicure is truly neutral. The glitter powder just makes it shine so beautifully. Perfect for a pretty white wedding dress!
21. Bold Multicolored Fiesta Glitter Ombre Nails
It’s a party at your fingertips! The base color is baby pink with a hint of shimmer. Then comes the cute ombre glitter tips that are just rocking out and doing their thing. This glitter polish has big and small flecks, multiple colors, and multiple shapes. Make sure to use a good top coat to keep the glitter pieces from snagging on fabric.
22. Subtly Sexy Beige to Pink Glitter Ombre
Isn’t this manicure intriguing? The ombre effect hoes from micro-glitter silvery beige to micro-glitter pink. The glitter effect is toned down a tiny bit with a matte top coat. The effect is really awesome and unique. If you have a very conservative work environment this would be a great way to get your glitter fix without being too obvious about it.
23. Mink Gray, Glitter and Gemstone Accent Nails
This mani means business. The base color is a gorgeous matte mink gray, which honestly would be amazing all on its own. But wait! There’s glitter. There are two accent nails. The first is glossy, full-coverage rose pink glitter. Gorgeous. The second is base-to-tip gemstone nail art. It is totally glamazon and totally fab.
24. Hot Pink Shiny Nails and Glitter
Do you want shiny nails? These babes get the job done. First of all, “yes” too hot pink glitter nails. This bright pink base shade is amazing. The other nails are done up in a bright-to-blush pink ombre glitter with flecks of gold and silver. Everything is topped off with a high-gloss top coat to get that super shiny finish.
25. Tiffany Blue Glitter Nails With Cream Accent
Love these! The robins egg blue creme color is so pretty. The glitter nails go a few shades darker in the same family of blue and have golden flecks of glitter. This is a fun spin on the accent nail trend because all but one nail on each hand is painted with the glitter polish and the accent nails are done in the creme blue.
26. Perfectly Mauve Nails With Gold Glitter Accent
This mani is done up in that classic neutral shade of pink creme with accent gold glitter nails. The single accent nail has an ivory base with 2 or 3 coats of gold glitter over top. Everything is finished with a glossy top coat to make this manicure polished and neat.
27. Reverse French Manicure With Rose Gold Glitter
This manicure is amazing! The reverse French manicure is one of those different nail designs that’s understated and yet so thoroughly stylish. This is a perfect example. Instead of contrasting tips, you do a line of contrast around the base. This manicure uses the traditional French sheer pink as a base, and the reverse tips are done in rose gold glitter.
28. White as Snow Textured Glitter Manicure
Sheer white color and glitter powder come together to create this unique effect. If you’ve never tried one of the textured manicure types you’re in for a treat! A manicure like this one has the glitter basically sitting on top of the polish, so when you touch the polish you can feel the little pieces of glitter rather than a smooth surface.
29. Nothing but Rose Gold Glitter
There is so much shining in this dense glitter polish that the color is almost chrome, but don’t worry. It’s still glitter. Here every nail is done up in a single rose gold shade of medium-sized glitter. This glitter is full-coverage so you wouldn’t need a base color to paint over.
30. Shimmery Gray to Black Glitter Nails
This is a cool way to approach ombre. Instead of the shades changing from tip to base, the shades of this manicure change from finger to finger. The single glitter nail is done in a dense chrome colored full-coverage glitter that is really pretty. Then you’ve got a similar chrome shade but in a creme color on the next nail, followed by a black shade on the next.
31. Reverse French With Powdery Pink and Rose Gold Accent
Here’s that popular reverse French mani trend again! This short nail design uses a creme polish in powdery pink with a rose gold glitter half-moon at the bottom of the nail. The ring finger is painted fully with the rose gold glitter. The look is simple and pretty.
32. Pink Glitter and Gemstone Nail Art Designs
Another nail polish idea that’s pretty in pink! This manicure uses 2 shades of pink. A cream (almost beige) shade is used as the base color for this manicure. Then there are 3 accent nails. One is painted with dusty pink creme polish. One is painted with a medium sized silver glitter polish. One is bedazzled with pink-hued gems and jewels.
33. Creative Bronze Chrome With Warm Pearlescent Glitter
Those nails are so shiny you can almost see her reflection! The base color on this is a sheer bronze chrome. Then you’ve got alternating nails painted base-to-tip with a pretty bronze glitter that has large and fine pieces and a pearlescent finish. Finally, there are sequins used as nail art gems that match the pearlescent bronze glitter.
34. Soft Gray Creme With Copper Glitter
This is an interesting combination because instead of the glitter and base polish being in the same color family you’ve got colors that match and compliment each other. The soft gray is so pretty and classic. It is a go-to neutral for lots of women, so if you feel like shaking it up add a glitter accent nail in a color like this shimmery copper!
35. Blush and Gold With Marbled Nail Designs
This manicure is just stunning and it has a little bit of everything! The blush pink creme base color is painted in matte and gloss. The matte fingers have a gold gem. The gloss fingers have either gold glitter reverse ombre from the base or a gorgeous marbled nail art design. Finally, there is a pink and gold glitter accent nail.
36. Easy Natural Nails With Gold Glitter Tips
These beautiful ombre glitter nails could not be easier to pull off yourself. Start with your natural nails shaped and painted with a clear base coat. Use the gold glitter polish starting at the tips. Keep most of the polish at the tip, but add some down to the middle of the nail so you get the ombre effect. Add a second glitter coat mostly on the tips. Finish with glossy top coat and you’re done!
37. Natural Nails With Hexagonal Glitter Nail Art
This manicure would take some patience but the results are awesome and unique. These natural nails are almond shaped and a base coat with a little color is applied first. The hexagonal glitter looks like it has been applied by hand to create a honeycomb pattern at the tip of each nail that becomes more spaced out around mid-nail to make the ombre effect.
38. Beige Cream and Gold Glitter Nails
This mani is totally golden! Again, we see a twist on the accent nail where the base color here is that super shiny and shimmery gold glitter, while the accent nail is a matte cream color. The matte accent nails also have gold sequins and gems that complement the glitter.
39. Sexy Sand Sparkle Nails With Gold Ombre
These nails are worthy of a tropical island goddess! That sandy base color with a hint of shimmer is absolutely beautiful. The glitter color is gold but also has a really warm almost red undertone which is so pretty. The glitter is used in full-coverage on one accent nail, and in reverse ombre on another.
40. Matte Nude Nails With Silver Glitter
It is all about the texture with this manicure. The “naked” base color is a flesh-toned nude creme shade painted with a matte top coat. The glitter accent nails are thick, textured silver glitter. We’re talking disco ball level glitter, here. The contrast is really striking, and putting the accent nails on different fingers of each hand is an interesting touch.
41. Deep Burgundy Nails With Gold Reverse Ombre
Burgundy nails with gold glitter honestly might be the all-time best color combo. This particular shade of Burgundy has micro-glitter for a little bit of shimmer. The fine gold glitter polish is applied from the base to create a reverse ombre style. The final look is elegant and festive.
42. Neutral Nails With Plum Glitter Ombre
Get those glittered tips! All you need are your natural nails, some dense glitter polish, and you’re off to the races. After a base coat, start from the tips and work your way to mid nail, keeping most of the polish at the tips of the nails. You’ll need to repeat this 2-3 times to achieve this look. Each time, keep the polish closer to the tip.
43. Simple Black With Gold Tips an Accent Now
Get fancy with this black and gold mani that’s easy and chic, like all the best things are. Start with a shiny jet black polish on every nail. Use the glitter ombre technique to apply gold glitter to the tips of all but your accent nail. On the accent nail, do 1-2 coats of gold glitter over the black.
44. Barely-there Soft Pink and Silver Glitter
Isn’t this manicure just lovely? The soft pink creme color is subtly brought to life with pink and white ombre glitter. The ombre glitter is applied over the pink in reverse from the base, leaving a hint of the soft pink color peeking through at the tips. The color of the glitter catches pink and blue in the light. So cute!
45. Cute Easy Nail Design With Pink Glitter
Party-ready nails are as simple as some colorful glitter tips. This long nail design starts with a stiletto shaped nail. If your natural nails are this long, congrats! Just shape them in a tapered tip. If not, you can get acrylics in this shape. The medium and fine pink glitter is painted from the smile line to the tips with a soft blend to the natural nail color.
46. Beautiful Neutral Cream With Peach Glitter Accents
Love this! Jelly and glitter polish make such a beautiful combination. This has a peachy nude sheer jelly color as the base. There are some accent nails painted fully in a peach glitter, and one nail on each hand has a triangle-shaped French manicure style tip. We just love this flattering shade.
47. Super Girly Baby Pink Glitter Everything
Are you a glam princess? Then this is your manicure. Long, luxurious nails are painted with a baby pink shade and a fine pink glitter top coat. You may have to do 2-3 coats of glitter to get this kind of shine. A high-shine top coat over the glitter will really make the mani glossy and bring out the shimmer in the glitter.
48. Charcoal Gray Matte Nails With Silver Glitter Tips
Start with a nice, deep shade of charcoal gray polish. You can get a matte formula, or use a matte top coat. Then get some glitter on those tips! This polish in this style has medium and large silver glitter. It gives an artful ombre look like you dipped your fingers in silver.
49. Neutral Ivory Cream Gilded Glitter Ombre Nails
These nails are just to die for. File this under best nail ideas of all time! A simple ivory creme polish is anything but basic with gilded gold. Use the same ombre glitter technique you would use on the tips, but starting from the base instead of the tip. You can get the gilded effect with chunky glitter ombre layered hair over fine glitter ombre.
50. Glossy Emerald Glitter Nail Polish
These sparkly nails are totally enchanting. Any self-respecting nail addict won’t be able to resist these rich emerald fine glitter beauties. When the color is this amazing you don’t need nail art. Just shape your nails, apply 2-3 coats, and don’t forget the high shine top coat.
50 Gorgeous Ideas for Glitter Nails at Every Length
It’s seriously so easy to get glitter nails. There are loads of polishes out there at every price point that are glittery and fabulous. You can also get fancy and use glitter powder dust for awesome effects and textures. Trends like reverse French manicures and gemstone or pearl nail art are totally trendy, but there are also plenty of simpler nail ideas if you prefer your glitter a little more toned down.
Time to get yourself some sparkle nails! You can use glitter however you like to paint your nails. Neutrals? Bright colors? Simple? Ornate? Take your pick! Check with your nail salon about getting the glitter ombre nail color you want. If you prefer DIY manicures, check tutorials to get your ombre technique down, then paint away!
