Nail Art

Glitter nails: our manicure ideas to shine on repeat

10 min to read

Spoiler alert: glitter nails are everywhere this year. On a reinvented French manicure, a glossy gradient or a minimalist manicure, they elevate your nails with just the right amount of sparkle. Gold, silver, holographic or pearlescent: discover our most beautiful glitter nail polishes, manicure tips and on trend glitter nail design ideas to make your hands shine all year round. Ready, set, sparkle!

Nail polishes that sparkle

Whether in Green™ nail polish or Green Flash™ Gel Polish, glitter finds its way into every shade of the Manucurist colour palette. Here is a selection of irresistible shades:

Pastel glitter nail polishes

Pastel glitter adds just the right touch of light. They are the perfect allies for anyone who loves glitter nails with a delicate finish.

Lemonade is a soft frosted yellow nail polish, illuminated with micro glitter, that reminds us of a refreshing lemonade shimmering in the sunshine on a terrace. A perfect shade for sunny days.

Cosmic Rose embraces a shimmering champagne pink with a soft pearlescent texture. A shade as fresh as a glass of sparkling rosé enjoyed during a celebration. Try it once and you will be hooked.

Inspired by a retro futuristic sky with seventies influences, Nebula is a holographic milky white that creates an iridescent veil across the nails. Filled with constantly changing reflections, it is utterly captivating.

For delicate and nuanced reflections, choose pastel glitter nail polishes.
(@irasnailroom)

Warm glitter nail polishes

When summer is in full swing, it is time for sunlit reflections with glitter nail polishes in golden and copper tones, creating an elegant and stylish glitter manicure whether you are on the beach or enjoying a terrace lunch.

A seasonal must have: Solar, a beautiful sheer white with golden reflections, as though sprinkled with sunshine. It captures the light and instantly enhances every skin tone.

For gold right to your fingertips, look no further than Gold. This glittering gold shade, like liquid jewellery, settles on the nail and catches every ray of light, and every glance too.

In the same spirit, discover Bronzé, a glittering brown enhanced with copper reflections, reminiscent of beautifully sun kissed skin.

When golden tones meet effortlessly stylish manicures.

Cool glitter nail polishes

Fans of silver reflections will love these shades with icy and electric accents.

First up is Disco, fully embracing its sparkling identity with metallic reflections. This radiant silver, dense and dazzling like a disco ball, was designed to light up your nights and catch every flash of light on the dance floor. Let’s party!

Mermaid is a shimmering transparent nail polish with shifting reflections, like sunlight dancing across water. Each movement reveals iridescent flashes somewhere between liquid shine and underwater magic. Dive right in.

And we cannot overlook Groove, a distinctive pearlescent green that brings a soft botanical energy to your fingertips. Sensual and subtly vintage, it invites you to sway to the bossa nova rhythms of the sixties.

Cool glitter nail polishes that are anything but cold, perfect for shining on the dance floor.

Add sparkle to your favourite nail polishes

Want to transform your favourite nail polish colour in seconds? The new Green™ and Green Flash™ glitter Top Coats are here to do exactly that.

These transparent top coats infused with silver or gold glitter particles instantly add sparkle to any polish colour. With a single stroke, a nude polish becomes iridescent, a cherry red polish takes on a jewellery inspired finish and a black polish begins to shimmer.

No need to layer multiple products to personalise your manicure. With just one finishing coat, you can modernise a classic shade, create an ultra trendy luminous effect or add a festive touch to your nail art. We love the magic touch these top coats bring.

Add sparkle to your nail art

How do you apply nail art glitter?

Creating a neat and dazzling glitter nail design has never been easier. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced nail artist, here is how to make your nails sparkle:

  1. Apply your polish using the 4 coat rule: always begin with one coat of Base Coat (Green™ or Green Flash™), followed by two coats of colour. If you are using Green Flash™ Gel Polish, cure each coat under an LED lamp for impeccable wear and exceptional shine.
  2. Add the magic: apply Manucurist biodegradable glitter (12 shades available) using a brush for precision or directly with your fingertip for a more spontaneous effect. Distribute it delicately in a gradient or as an even pearlescent layer, depending on your desired finish.
  3. Seal the glitter: secure your nail art with a suitable Top Coat for the polish used.

👉 On Green™ nail polish, apply one coat of Green™ Gel Effect Top Coat, which air dries in 1 minute when paired with Drying Drops.

👉 On Green Flash™ Gel Polish, choose between:

  • one coat of Green Flash™ Top Coat, cured under an LED lamp, for a manicure lasting up to 12 days.
  • For a long lasting glitter manicure of up to 21 days, opt for Top Coat Xtrem Flash™, cured under an LED lamp.
A clear glass bottle of Manucurist Vitaminised Base Coat Green™ with a black cap, set against a light beige background. It uses KeraHCE+ technology to strengthen nails and create a smooth base for color.

Vitaminised Base Coat Green™

A green bottle of Manucurist Vitaminised Base Coat Green Flash™ with a black cap is shown against a light beige background.

Vitaminised Base Coat Green Flash™

A bottle of Manucurist Sunshine Top Coat, a plant-based, high-shine, long-wear gel-effect nail polish, features a pale pink base and black cap against a beige background.

Sunshine Top Coat

A dark green bottle of Manucurist Top Coat Green Flash™ is displayed against a light beige background. The label features product details in white and gold, emphasizing up to 12-day shine.

Top Coat Green Flash™

A bottle of Manucurist Drying Drops, ideal for speeding up your manicure, with a pale pink liquid, white cap, and green text on a white label shown against a light beige background.

Drying Drops

A black rectangular bottle of Manucurist Xtrem Flash™ Gel Top Coat stands upright against a pale beige background, offering a long-lasting manicure with easy, express removal.

Xtrem Flash™ Gel Top Coat

Our glitter manicure ideas

The reinvented French manicure

The glitter French manicure is reinventing itself in colourful and playful ways:

  • Sparkling French: apply Halo to create a shimmering mauve base, then use the Mani Stamper to add a silver line along the free edge with Disco. The result: a sparkling French manicure you will never tire of.
  • Another option is the Reverse French. Here, Khaki acts as the base, enhanced with a tiny inverted French line painted along the inner edge of the nail using Bronzé and a liner brush.

Make your French manicures sparkle!
(@mani.minimalist, @look8thenails)

Shiny designs

Combine metallic polishes with intense colours to create elegant contrast effects.

  • Shimmery Half: alternate coloured polish bases (Orme and Bohème) with metallic shades (Bronzé, Metallic, Quartz). Then add colour or glitter polish to half the nail using combinations such as Orme & Utopia, Quartz & Dark Clover, Bohème & Metallic or Bronzé & Artichaut. A striking graphic effect guaranteed.
  • Sweet & shiny Polka Dots: decorate a Pale Rose nude base with sparkling dots created using a dotting tool and Disco, Poison, Shimmer and Prune. A playful application and an elegant finish that is easy to recreate at home.

Play with shapes and colours to create original sparkle nails.(@look8thenails, @irasnailroom)

The glitter ombré

It is impossible to ignore the glitter ombré trend. This technique concentrates glitter at the tip of the nail to create a luminous gradient. On a Hortencia pink base, Silver glitter creates a sophisticated and airy finish.

Minimalist glitter nail art

Fans of understated manicures will love this subtle version of sparkly nails. Apply one coat of Active Glow™ Raspberry followed by one coat of Hortencia as your base, then add a few delicate pieces of Rose Gold and Pink Quartz glitter. The result is refined, harmonious and very contemporary.

The art of delicate glitter by @bara.hoyle and @matejanova.

Themed glitter nails

Of course, glitter adapts beautifully to every special occasion.

For a wedding

The favourite for wedding day beauty is the Milky Glitter Mani, created with Nebula for a sparkling, opaque and effortlessly elegant finish.

Another option is the classic glitter French manicure with Crème as the base and Rose Gold glitter applied along the free edge of the nail.

For a party

For anyone who loves a night out, choose rich and ultra shiny finishes with Dark Night, Sparks or Shimmer. Three captivating shades that are perfect for turning heads on the dance floor.

For Christmas

To shine beneath the tree, reinvent classic festive colours with a glitter twist.

Try a French manicure with Spicy red as the base and a silver Disco line along the free edge. Or choose Utopia or Poison all over for a festive yet elegant manicure.

Weddings, birthdays, Christmas or New Year’s Eve, every occasion is a good excuse to wear glitter nails.
(@mani.minimalist)

For even more inspiration, explore our articles dedicated to Christmas manicures, New Year’s Eve nails and the pearl nails trend.

Tips to make your glitter manicure last longer

A successful glitter manicure is about more than choosing the right polish. It starts with careful preparation and should be maintained like a treasured piece of jewellery. Here are our tips to keep your glitter nails shining for longer without compromising wear or nail health.

Prepare your nails before applying polish

Just like any beauty ritual, nail preparation is essential for revealing the full beauty of your manicure. Start by shaping your nails with a nail file: oval for timeless elegance, square for a bold look, stiletto for glamour. The choice is yours.

Then focus on the contour: gently push back your cuticles using a Steel cuticle pusher and a little Cuticle Softener. Next, lightly buff the nail surface using a preparation file and remove any residue with a nail prep solution or gentle remover.

Choose professional accessories

The right tools make all the difference, delivering greater precision and a more professional finish. Use a fine brush for simple shapes, a Mani Stamper for flawless French manicures and a dotting tool for polka dots.

Apply glitter using a glitter brush, designed to distribute the perfect amount of product. Too much? A quick sweep with the Dust Brush and everything is perfect again. The gesture is simple, but the finish is beautifully refined.

The Mani stamper by Manucurist is a translucent pink tool featuring the brand's name vertically in green, perfect for flawless French tips, shown on a plain beige background.

Mani stamper

The Manucurist Liner Brush, featuring a thin, fine tip with a wooden handle and silver ferrule, is centered vertically on a plain beige background—perfect for creating precise nail art designs.

Liner Brush

Two Manucurist Dotting Tools with metal tips and wooden handles stand upright side by side on a beige background—ideal for precise nail art designs in your tool collection.

Dotting Tool

The Manucurist Glitter Brush, featuring a wooden handle, metal ferrule, and rounded vegan bristles, stands vertically on a light beige background—ideal for creating radiant nail art.

Glitter Brush

A close-up of the Manucurist Dust Brush, featuring a wooden handle and dense, soft vegan bristles, set against a plain beige background with a shadow cast to the right.

Dust Brush

Hydrate your glitter nails

Glitter naturally attracts attention, so it is worth keeping your hands looking their best. The secret to luminous nails is consistent hydration. Every evening, apply a drop of Nourishing Cuticle Oil to your nails and cuticles. It deeply nourishes, supports healthy growth and helps maintain shine. For extra care, the Nourishing Nail Pen offers convenient hydration throughout the day. Together, they form the perfect duo for maintaining beautiful sparkle nails.

How do you remove glitter nail polish without damaging your nails?

Glitter polish can seem trickier to remove, but there is no need to worry. The solution is simple and effective.

Start by choosing a plant based nail polish formula such as Green™ or Green Flash™, both rich in naturally derived ingredients and designed for gentle removal without filing or acetone.

To remove your polish, use a gentle acetone free remover such as Green Flash™ Nail Polish Remover. Soak cotton pads and hold them against the nails using removal clips or foil wraps. Allow enough time for the remover to work: with Green Flash™ Nail Polish Remover, 1 to 2 minutes is enough for Green™ or Green Flash™ polish, while 10 minutes is recommended if you are wearing Top Coat Xtrem Flash™.

The result: the polish dissolves naturally or lifts away using peel off technology in the case of Green Flash™. Simply remove any remaining residue with a remover soaked cotton pad, without scraping, and finish with a few drops of Nourishing Cuticle Oil. Your nails are clean, healthy and ready for their next sparkling manicure.

In 2026, glitter is no longer just a festive finishing touch. It brings manicures to life. Alongside ultra glossy trends and soap nails, glitter nails offer a fresh way to play with light and express creativity. Whether subtle or boldly radiant, glitter creates endless opportunities for glitter nails inspo, sparkly nail inspo, cute glitter nail designs, simple sparkle nails and colourful glitter nails. Joyful, spontaneous and full of personality, every reflection tells a different story. More than ever, life is better with glitters ✨