Glitter Nails

Nail designs with glitter: ideas from the gallery

Glitter nail designs range from barely-there shimmer to full sparkle. Sorting them by style makes it easier to choose before you pick a polish.

• Accent nail: one glitter nail, usually the ring finger, against four solid ones. It's the easiest way to try glitter for the first time.
• Glitter ombre: sparkle concentrated at the tip and fading toward the cuticle, as in Red Nails With a Silver Glitter Ombre Effect.
• Glitter French tips: a line of glitter in place of the classic white tip.
• Full glitter: every nail covered, often in silver, gold or black glitter, for parties and holidays.
• Splatter and mixed textures: glitter combined with matte, neon or bright creme polish, like Fuchsia Glitter Splatter Nails.

Choosing a glitter color

Silver glitter nails read cool and bright and sit well over navy, black, red or a sheer pink. Gold glitter warms up nudes, deep greens and burgundy. Black glitter nails look dramatic over a black creme and softer when scattered over gray or nude. Pink and red glitter suit Valentine's Day and holiday sets, while holographic glitter flashes rainbow colors as your hands move.

Glitter in gel and salon manicures

Glitter works in regular polish and in gel nails, and several designs here, such as Shellac Glitter Nails and Starry Glittery Shellac Nails, were done with gel polish. Want the look done for you? Take a picture from this page to one of the nail salons near you, or preview it on your own hand first with Try it on. To paint one yourself, the glitter nail art videos show each technique step by step.

Questions people ask

What color goes with silver glitter nails?

Silver pairs with almost any cool shade, especially black, navy, deep purple and icy blue. It also works over a sheer nude when you want sparkle without strong color.

Can glitter nails work for a wedding?

Yes. A soft nude or pale pink with a fine glitter accent, like Luminous Marshmallow Wedding Nails in this gallery, adds sparkle without competing with the dress.

What's the difference between fine and chunky glitter?

Fine glitter gives an even, foil-like shimmer and needs less top coat. Chunky glitter and shaped pieces such as stars or hexagons stand out more but need extra top coat to feel smooth.