I had some loose circle glitter that I hadn't used yet, so I decided to start with that. I picked a pot of holographic black glitters and set to work placing them all over a black base.
I used a white wax pencil to do the actual placement. This thing is seriously a lifesaver -- it allows you to grab and place the glitter precisely with no leftover residue. If you ever do 3D or placement nail art and you don't have one of these yet, I highly recommend them.
The glitter is attached with topcoat. I painted stripes of topcoat before attaching each vertical row of glitter, and the entire manicure is topped with an additional three coats of Seche Vite.
The circular shape of these glitters make them look like fish scales, and so I've been calling this manicure "the midnight mermaid." It's insanely sparkly.
Since this manicure was essentially black on black, it was tough to photograph, especially in direct light. I did want to make an effort though, so you could get a better idea of the holographic nature of the glitter!
Then finally, I wanted to do something I've never tried before... an animated GIF!
PRETTY DARN FUN IF YOU ASK ME! Look at that glitter light up! You can also check out the InstaVideo that I posted of this manicure to watch even MORE footage of the glitter in action.
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Um, that wax pencil tip would have REALLY come in handy last night! Maybe I wouldn't have been up until 3am. Seriously though, thanks for the tip! :) Oh, and I think this is amazing and looks really unique with the round glitter!
ReplyDeleteLoving the GIF and how it shows off how gorgeous this mani is! Beautiful job, I really love the whole "midnight mermaid" idea - sexy and mysterious all at once!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhhhh omg this is incredible. I've already posted comments on Instagram and Tumblr, I think I'm just going to follow this post around and continue to be amazed and so grateful you like my designs! I can't even tell you how much I love you even trimmed your glitter to fit to the edges :D:D:D:D
ReplyDeleteHow could someone NOT like your designs? And of course I trimmed the glitter, it wouldn't be complete without it! I cut the studs on my stud armor nail too... we can't have those little gaps at the edge!
ReplyDeleteOf course you can't have gaps! I totally agree, I've trimmed even the smallest pieces because when you get it right, at the cuticle and the ends, it just makes it that much better.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I've been trying to emulate you for well over a year. I just cannot get over how high quality all your work is. It's just flawless, always. Glitter, painting, swatches, all of it, just perfect.
<3<3<3<3
I was just about to do something boring like a swatch for tonight but I think I might have to do another circle glitter mani now :D
Thank you! I was worried it would be too subtle but thankfully I was wrong!
ReplyDeleteWow, your manicure is AMAZING! Enjoy your life with the wax pencils! :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you so so much. You're too kind, really! Looking forward to seeing your circle glitter manicure!!
ReplyDeletePerfect! Love it!
ReplyDeleteDammit, it's 1.30 and I've just done my thumb, thanks a bunch! :P
ReplyDeleteHaha well I bet it's gonna be legit!
ReplyDeleteAmazing - I must try one of these, though probably need to schedule in about six hours to do it! :)
ReplyDeletewow! looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Stunning beyond words! :D I think you named it well! I can totally imagine a rare beauty or it be part of some dark mysterious species of mermaids (in games terms or fantasy stories.. hahaha!) looking at your nails! Absolutely love this glitter mani!
ReplyDeleteamazing! wow I'm blown away!
ReplyDeleteLove the black and on black look!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree, "Polish All The Nails" is the god of glitter placement, hahaha.
This is awesome, so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I know it seems daunting but the wax pencils cuts down the time by a TON
ReplyDeleteYeah, that has to exist in sci fi somewhere, right??
ReplyDeleteThat GIF is trippy! Lol Love the mani though! The placement is perfect!
ReplyDeleteIt came out beautifully :)
ReplyDeleteSooo pretty - love your inpiration, she truly is the queen of hand placed glitter manis!
ReplyDeleteooh, I love it! Dark and eye-catching and seductive and BRILLIANT.
ReplyDeleteI love it! But i'm not patient enough to make something like this, haha
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool!
ReplyDeleteThat is so neat! It almost looks like a disco ball in the GIF.
ReplyDeleteAnd done! http://www.polishallthenails.com/2013/09/sparkly-circle-glitter-nails-because-i.html
ReplyDeleteWhy on earth did I think this would be a good idea to start at midnight?
It looks soo good! I love glitter placement manis, but I've never tried it because it seems like way too much work haha. It's hard enough for me to place one rhinestone on an accent nail :P
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful!
ReplyDeletePerfect. This is the only glitter placement manicure I've ever lusted over!! Lush! Nice one! GxXx
ReplyDeleteLooks like bokeh! Beautiful! :D
ReplyDeletegorgeous!!!! i want to try this
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!! I had waaaay too much fun with my fashion shoot. Should I feel weird how giddy I got about it? I have to try the round glitter now. I don't think I've even seen that before. Must get wax pencils now, and I will enjoy the crap out of them!
ReplyDeleteThat looks amazing, I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is cool!
ReplyDeleteThat glitter is amazing, I need it!
ReplyDeleteEven something so simple you make so beautiful! I'll have to try this design out.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, LOVE this mani! I want to try one, but I can't even tie my own shoes.
ReplyDeleteyou did a perfect job!
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS! What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteGooooorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd also, I'm wondering how you manage not to get shrinkage at the cuticle when using SV?
Hey Lisa! I don't actually have problems with SV when it's been taken care of properly. Usually when I get shrinkage it's because the SV has thickened up and I haven't thinned it recently enough. Seche makes a thinner called Restore, which would work, or you could also go with the generic at Sally's called Beauty Secrets Nail Polish Thinner. I use the Beauty Secrets one.
ReplyDeleteNICE! love how this is still quite.. conservative? depending on the light it becomes a party :D
ReplyDelete