Glitzy Ways to Dress Up Your Nails

Glitzy Ways to Dress Up Your Nails

So long, red nail polish! The latest manicures are flashy, festive and fun.


Try Glitter
WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND For glimmering nails—not gauche ones—manicurist Ashlie Johnson recommends the following tip: "Paint your nails a solid color first, then layer glitter on just the tips—like a French manicure." Bonus: Since glitter formulas are harder to remove, your manicure has more staying power. 
WHAT TO TRY Lippmann Collection Nail Lacquer in Shake Your Groove Thing, $18;deborahlippmann.com. 
Essie LuxEffects in Set In Stones, $8;essie.com. 
Butter London Nail Lacquer in Tart With a Heart, $14; butterlondon.com.

Try a Statement Nail

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND Painting your ring or middle finger a flashy color—here, Estelle tried leopard—is a no-risk way to experiment with outside-the-box techniques. Keep the other digits a neutral shade, like taupe, slate, or grey to allow the wild child to take center stage.
WHAT TO TRY Borghese Nail Lacquer Vernis in Arrivederci Mist, $8; borghesenailcare.comfor locations.

Glitzy Ways to Dress Up Your Nails

Try Press-Ons

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND
"If you don't have time to go to the salon for Minx, play with nail polish stickers at home," says manicurist Kimmie Kyees, who works with Katy Perry, Rihanna and Fergie. Cleaning your nail bed and removing oils with a swipe of nail polish remover ensures the strips stay put, Johnson adds.
WHAT TO TRY Minx in Black and Gold Polka Dots and Sari Design; minxnails.com to find a stylist near you.
Nail Rock Nail Wraps in Black and White Stripes, $11; nailrock.com.

Polka Dots

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND Polka dots are everywhere right now—including on your nails. A black base with gilded dots is easy with the Orly Dotter tool. The pointed metal tip collects just the right amount of polish. Just be sure to let the base coat dry, or things can look sloppy.
WHAT TO TRY Orly Dotter Duo Tool, $7;orlybeauty.com.
Lancome Vernis in Noir, $15; sephora.com.
Pop Nail Glam in Golden Metal, $10;ulta.com.

Glitzy Ways to Dress Up Your Nails

Go Metallic

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND To keep your metallic mani as shiny as Hailee Steinfeld's, Johnson suggests applying with a smooth, even stroke. "Metallics are challenging because they show more flaws than opaque polish," she says. "Stick to three even swipes per nail, and finish with a generous amount of clear top coat to prevent fading."
WHAT TO TRY Topshop Nails in Heart of Gold, Treasure, and Moonshine, $10 each;topshop.com.

Stripes

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND With Orly's Instant Artist polish, top off a red mani with thin ribbons of white for sweet candy cane nails. The microfine brush makes precise lines easy—even for nail art novices. Or, opt for less perfect stripes with magnetic nail polish. "Magnetic polishes are great for creating quick, easy nail art," says Kyees. "The Nails Inc. magnet leaves behind cool chevron stripes."
WHAT TO TRY Nails Inc. Magnetic Polish in Houses of Parliament, $16; sephora.com.
Orly Instant Artist in Crisp White, $5;orlybeauty.com.

Glitzy Ways to Dress Up Your Nails

Add Ornaments

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND "Don't go overboard!" Johnson warns. "It isn't practical to go through the day with different items dangling off of your nails, so apply crystals, beads, and embellishments to a couple of fingers instead of all five." Remember to layer on the clear top coat to anchor 3-D elements.
WHAT TO TRY Sephora Collection Nail Art Kit, $16; sephora.com.

Ombre Fade

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND Ombre isn't just for your hair anymore. Make like Lauren Conrad with a manicure that gradually lightens from sapphire to baby blue. The five carefully blended polishes in this set take the guesswork out of mixing and matching the perfect color for each finger. (They also come in pink and black collections.)
WHAT TO TRY The New Black 5-Piece Ombre Nail Set, $22; nordstrom.com.