20 Glitter Nail Art to Elevate Your Manicure (2025)

Do you like fairytales and all things sparkly? Why not incorporate some glitter in your daily manicure and let your nails dazzle? Glitter will add that much-needed sprinkling of sparkle and pop to your regular nail polish look. I love glitter nail polish not only because it pretties up the plainest hands and feet but because it also puts you in a fun and festive/party spirit. It’s like giving your pinkies a new, fun lease of life.

Glitter nail polishes are versatile enough to be worn in all seasons and occasions. From festive parties and wedding ceremonies to concerts and weekend outings, you can use glitter nail art to add sparkle to your outfits. They’re such a fun way to beat winter gloom and doom, during the festive season, at stylish brunches and high society events, or even to flaunt your style at your best friend’s wedding.

This curation of stunning glitter nail art ideas is sure to inspire you for daily wear and special occasions. You can also explore a wide range of nail polishes from top brands that will make your nail art sparkle. Furthermore, this guide will help you learn how to use glitter in nail art and the different ways to create simple, easy and pretty manicures at home. The best part? You don’t need any complicated tools or techniques. Just a few quick steps and you’re done. Let’s get scrolling.

20 Glitter Nail Art Designs

File your nails, push back the cuticle, and clean it all with a fan brush before beginning your nail art. Proper nail prep will allow your manicures to last longer.

1. Marble Glitter Nail Art

If you’re looking for a chic and classy glitter nail art idea, this marbled glitter nail art should be at the top of your list. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Begin by applying a nude base on all your nails and wait for it to dry.
Step 2: Once the base is dry, light brush on white nail polish to create the marbled effect.
Step 3: Next, dab small chunks of gold foil across the nail to create a glittery effect.
Step 4: Seal it all in with a glossy top coat.

2. Glitter Tips

If you love a ‘Clean Girl’ look but want to switch it up for the weekend or holiday season, you must try this glitter tip nail art idea. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Nail prep is a must for this one because you need the base to look clean. Consider using a ridge filler to get a smooth finish.
Step 2: To create the ultra-fine tip, take your favourite silver nail polish and apply it using a fine tip brush.
Step 3: Ensure you apply a thick coat of clear nail polish to avoid chipping the glitters.
Step 4: Once everything is dry, apply a cuticle nourishing oil to enhance the look.

3. Elegant Nude Glitter Nail Art

These must be your party nails this festive and wedding season as they will match any traditional, contemporary, or indo-western outfit you put together. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Your perfect nude nail shade will vary depending on your skin tone. Try your best to match it to the base of your nails.
Step 2: Next go in with your favourite glitter nail polish.
Step 3: Apply thin layers of the glitter polish and build up the coverage if required.
Step 4: Protect your stunning nails with a top coat.

4. French Tip On Glitter Base

Try this chic and sophisticated French Tip glitter nail art if you want to define the shape of your nails. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Begin with a pink-toned base.
Step 2: Use thick white nail paint and create your French tip.
Step 3: If you mess up, simply use an angled brush to clean up any mistakes.
Step 4: Next, add the holiday spirit to this basic nail paint with your favourite glitter top coat.

5. Chunky Ombre Glitter Nail Art

This one’s one of my personal favourites for the wedding season as it matches the sparkly vibe of any outfit. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Begin with a base coat and add your choice of nail colour. The best part of this nail art is that you can use any shade you wish for.
Step 2: You can also take your pick of a chunky nail polish shade. We love versatile silver glitter. First, apply a thin coat on just the tips of your nails.
Step 3: Next, use a fan brush to spread out the glitters downward to create the ombre effect.
Step 4: Finish it off with a top coat.

6. Floral Glitter Nail Art

The floral look is a great option when you want to add a feminine touch to your glitter nail art. While you can recreate this with any complementary colours, here’s how to recreate this blue-toned style.

Step 1: Apply a blue glitter nail polish to the tip of the nail and lightly brush it downward to create an ombre effect.
Step 2: Use a light blue nail polish to create a french tip. Ensure you create a thin French tip and let the glitter peak through.
Step 3: Next, use a dotting tool to draw on your flowers with blue and white nail polish.
Step 4: With the same dotting tool, create white dots and intricate details to complete the look.

7. Purple Glitter Nail Art

Who doesn’t love a Lavendar moment? This is perfect to add a touch of colour to your monochrome looks this festive and wedding season. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: This nail art has an interesting switch with purple glitter applied to the tip of the thumb, ring, and middle fingers and the base of the index and pinky. You can also choose to alternate between the base and the tip.
Step 2: Next, apply a super light coat of lavender nail polish just to cover a bit of the glitter.
Step 3: Ensure a good amount of glitter is peaking through and add second coats of the creme polish in just the areas without the glitter to get an opqaue finish.
Step 4: Complete the nail art with a clear top coat.

8. Pearl Glitter Nail Art

While pearl jewellery is a popular choice during the festive and wedding season, why not give your nails this touch of luxury. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Start with a pink base and apply one even layer on all your nails.
Step 2: Next, create a ombre effect with a champagne glitter polish. If you have shorter nails you can simply start with this soft gold nail colour.
Step 3: For the fun part, use nail glue to apply pearl accents and gems.
Step 4: Secure it al in place with a top coat.

9. Mermaid Glitter Nail Art

The mermaid-core has reeled all of us in and we’re obsessed. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Apply a blue glitter polish to the tips of your thumb, pinky, and middle fingers.
Step 2: Fully cover the ring and index finger with the same polish.
Step 3: Next, use a UV Gel clear polish to create the scallop-like details. Cure the layer with a nail dryer lamp. Slowly build the shape of the scallop, drying the layers as required.
Step 4: Add one coat of a sheer glitter polish and finish it up with tiny details like pearls.

10. V-shape French Glitter Nail Art

Add a twist to your V-shape French nails with a touch of glitter for a stylish nail art design that can also match your formal boss-girl looks. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Use a tape and apply it diagonally from the centre of your nail tip to create on side of the V.
Step 2: Apply white polish to this section. Peel of the tape soon after while the nail polish is wet to get a clean line.
Step 3: Repeat the process on the other side of the nail and apply a glitter polish this time.
Step 4: Add a clear top coat and your set to go.

11. Bows Glitter Nail Art

Bows just have a chokehold on us at the moment and this glitter nail art design is as coquette-core as it gets. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Apply a soft pink glitter polish to your ring and index fingers.
Step 2: Next, apply a baby pink polish to the rest of your nails. If you want to go all-out, you can apply the glitter polish to all your nails.
Step 3: Use any metallic polish and create bows using a nail art design brush.
Step 4: Add additional silver lines and small white star designs with the same sized brush.

12. Butterfly Glitter Nail Art

Calling all 2000s girlies to claim this butterly nail art for the ultimate nostalgia boost. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Apply a beige base on two fingers where you want the butterfly design. While you can recreate this look on any two fingers with similar nail sizes, the ring or index and middle fingers work best.
Step 2: Apply a glitter gold nail enamel to the rest of your nails.
Step 3: Use the same glitter polish as the rest of your nails to create a general butterfly shape.
Step 4: Go in with a metallic gold polish to draw on the wings of the butterfly and other intricate details.

13. Multi-colour Glitter Nail Art

Unleash your whimsical side with these multi-colour glitter nail art. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Start with a muted pink base to let the glitters stand out.
Step 2: Add a bright splash with multi-coloured glitter nail polish. Create an ombre effect by adding the polish to the tips and then fanning it out.
Step 3: Pick a few glitters using a dotting tool and strategically place them for a cleaner look.
Step 4: Set it in place with a clear top coat.

14. Striped Glitter Nail Art

Another fun multi-colour glitter nail art option that you should definitely try. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Create the perfect base for this look with a nude nail polish or just a simple base coat.
Step 2: Get a collection of glitter nail polishes and apply the different colours in thin strokes.
Step 3: Ensure you are creating stripes of different lengths to add dimension.
Step 4: Clean up the lines with a fine tip brush and acetone if required.

15. Geometric Glitter Pattern

Create geometric glitter patterns on a dark base polish to bedazzle your friends. I would recommend this for Indian brides who prefer the traditional red and gold look. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Apply a deep cherry red nail polish as a base. Allow the base polish to dry completely before proceeding to the next
Step 2: Cut several small strips of tape and apply them in a geometric pattern to create a diamond shape in the centre of your ring finger.
Step 3: Apply your favourtie shade of glitter polish in the centre space created. Peel of the tape while the nail paint is wet to reveal the perfect diamond glitter pattern.
Step 4: For your remaining fingers, apply tape in such a manner that it forms a ‘V’ shape at the tips, apply the glitter polish, and peel it off. Finally, seal everything with a top coat.

16. Chevron Glitter Tip

Give the classic French manicure a twist with chevron tips and glitter nail paint. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Apply a clear base coat for shine and protection.
Step 2: Apply a champagne nail colour in a slanted manner near the tips as shown in the image
Step 3: In a similar manner, apply polish in a slanted manner on the other side of the tip to finally form a ‘V’ shaped glitter tip.
Step 4: To define the tips, outline with black nail polish. You may use a thin paintbrush or toothpick to outline the tip. Apply a clear top coat to seal the nail paints and add shine.

17. Glitter Polka Dot

Tired of old-fashioned polka-dotted nails that are so done and dusted? While it’s a pretty pattern and simple enough, it’s easy to get bored of the plain old polka pattern. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Apply a candy pink nail polish as the base coat.
Step 2: Use a pencil or toothpick to apply dots all over.
Step 3: Apply smaller polka dots over the pink polka dots.
Step 4: Seal everything with a clear top coat.

18. Colorful Glitter French Manicure

This is the perfect manicure to make a statement at parties, weddings and festive celebrations. It’s simple to recreate and this no-fuss manicure looks very pretty. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Apply two even coats of coral nail polish.
Step 2: Allow the base polish to completely dry. Now cut a small piece of cello tape and apply it on your nails in such a way that only the tips of your nails are exposed.
Step 3: Apply your favourite glitter nail polish on the exposed tips.
Step 4: Gently peel off the tape. Cover your work of art with a clear top coat.

19. Gradient Glitter Galaxy Manicure

A dark base with gradient glitter gives a galaxy effect without any complicated techniques. This manicure is great for parties and Halloween dos. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Apply a black polish all over your nails.
Step 2: Tear apart a small piece of your make-up sponge and apply a thin layer of a dazzling glitter polish on the sponge.
Step 3: Use a pair of tweezers to hold the sponge and dab the glitter polish on gently concentrating more at the tips to create a gradient effect.
Step 4: Apply a clear top coat to seal the colours and protect your nails.

20. Glitter Layering

Here’s another simple technique to use glitter nail polish along with a colorful base. Those who think the more the glitter the better will definitely love this manicure. Here’s how to recreate this:

Step 1: Apply a dark base polish evenly all over the nails.
Step 2: Then, apply a thin coat of glitter polish while leaving a gap all around the sides – sort of like a reverse french tip.
Step 3: Clean up any messes with nail polish remover.
Step 4: Finally apply a clear top coat.

Parting Thoughts

You can be as minimalist or as maximalist as you want with glitter nail polishes. From chic French tips to cute multi-coloured glitter stripes, there are several glitter nail art ideas you can pick from We hope you enjoyed these easy-to-do designs using glitter nail polishes. So, what are you waiting for? Pick your favourite glitter nail art idea and explore Nykaa’s collection of Glitter Nail Polish to make your nails sparkle.

Delhi-based beauty blogger Jinal Patel is the owner of https://dazzlingbelle.com/, an adviser, and a makeup junkie with a serious passion for writing.

FAQs On Nail Art Designs

1. How to do simple glitter nail art?

   You can opt for glitter french tips and just a sheer coat of glitter polish over a nude base to create a simple glitter nail design.

2. Can I use art glitter for nails?

   Glitter meant for arts and crafts may not be suitable for the skin. It is best to use cosmetic grade glitter for nail art.

3. Are glitter nails classy?

   Yes! You can elevate any party look and look classy with glittery nails.

4. How to apply chunky glitter on nail?

   First apply a thin layer of your favourtie chunky nail polish. Then, pick a few glitters with a toothpick or dotting tool and place them strategically. Finish with another thin layer to add dimension.

5. What are the 5 basic nail shapes?

   The 5 basic nail shapes are almond (oval), round, square, coffin, and squoval (a rounded quare).