BLING IT ON

We love a funky polish and cool nail art, but sometimes that just doesn’t cut it. Want to jazz up your nails with some glitter? Maybe a few rhinestones? We’ve collected a few tips and tricks to help! 

Glitter polishes 
If you’ve ever worn glitter polish before, you probably know how it looks on the nail. Painting it on like  regular nail polish will give you a light dusting of glitter than can be a nice way to glitz up your manicure. But if you’re looking for an intense glitter so bright you’ll have to shield your eyes, you’ll want to reach for a makeup sponge! That’s right, the key to a thick, glitter to the max manicure is a disposable makeup sponge.  

Prep your nails like usual with a basecoat and let it dry. When it’s time to load up the glitter, paint the polish on the makeup sponge, and then dab it on your nail. Using a makeup sponge soaks up the excess product, meaning the result is more concentrated glitter that’s sure to be a showstopper. 

Stickers and decals 
Nail stickers are, well, just that—nail sized stickers that can be incorporated into your manicure. These simple and easy to use accents commonly have a clear background allowing them to pop against whatever colour you choose to paint your nails. Simply peel them off the page, apply to your nails after the polish is dry, and seal with top coat. Nail stickers come in a range of shapes, sizes, and styles to match any mani.

Stones and jewels 
There’s few things more tragic than having the gems and rhinestones on your nails pop off. The trick to 3D embellishments is to make sure they’re applied securely so you don’t have to worry about any mishaps. Before you start gluing and glamourizing, gather all your materials like tweezers, wood sticks, or dotting tools and pick out what bling you’re going to use.  

If you want your stuff to stick, look no further than the tried and true nail adhesive. After you apply your polish, use a toothpick or wooden nail stick to apply a dot of glue on your nail where you’d like your bling to go. Use your tweezers and place your gems where you want them. Hold them in place for 20-30 seconds and repeat as necessary to create your desired look. Nail glue can dry out after a few uses so consider getting a new tube before creating your look and be sure to apply a top coat when you’re finished. 

Don’t want to bust into the nail glue? Try the top coat method. After you paint your nails, apply a thick layer of top coat and using the tweezers, place your embellishments on your nail however you desire. Apply another thin layer of topcoat after the embellishments are stuck to seal your look. This method works great for smaller adornments but may not hold bigger jewels in place as well as nail glue. Be sure to stay away from a quick drying top coat for this tactic or you’ll have to work in double time. 

Whatever you choose, get read to shine on and show off your beautiful bling!