The Glitter Tipped French Mani

October 3, 2012

It seems that everyone is embracing the Dark Romantic trend this season, a gorgeous mix of sinister style and colour, coupled with sparkle and a girly touch. And while we all love the classic French Manicure, what better way to update the look and rock this season’s Gothic Glamour trend than on your nails? It’s both classy and punk, mixing traditional and modern styles - and it suits everyone! So, here we show you how to master the surprisingly simple glitter tipped french mani.

1. First, apply the dark shade of your choice to the whole nail (I used a classic black shade for timeless glamour). Wait for this to dry, as the nail needs to be completely dry for the next stage of the manicure. 
2. Cut a small piece of surgical tape so it covers your entire nail, except for the tip. Make sure the top edge of the tape follows the natural shape of your nail tip, this will make the manicure look a little more natural.
3. Swipe a single layer of your clear topcoat over the exposed nail tip, and wait a few seconds for it to become tacky. Now for the fun part! Take your glitter, or glitter pigment, and sprinkle over the nail tip (I used an iridescent white/gold pigment to contrast with the black polish) You can also use a small makeup brush to apply the glitter, just be sure not to press too hard and smudge the topcoat! Make sure the nail tip is covered in glitter before leaving for 10 minutes to set. Clean up any sparkly mess you make! Carefully, peel off the surgical tape, (making sure not to pull too hard!) and once the glitter is properly set to the nail, cover the whole nail in a thick layer of topcoat to protect your dazzling new manicure.
4. Voila! You have yourself a glitter tipped french mani!

Why not try mixing it up with different colored glitters for a little extra sparkle? Or even different colored polishes for nails that twinkle like jewels! Make the look your own and have fun!

- Ash