How to: NYE 2012: Fireworks Nail Art

Sat, 29 December 2012 8:45AM

While your skincare and fake tan routines are well underway, it’s time to think about the nail polish and/or art that you’ll be sporting to toast in the new year.

After all, while you’re sipping on that glass of bubbly, your tips will be on display.

The aim of this look is to create glitter-dipped tips with a statement firework design as a feature nail.

Let’s get started …

Step 1:

Paint a thin coat of base coat and, when dry, slick on a layer of midnight blue or black nail polish. I’m using OPI Nail Lacquer in Black Onyx, $19.95, David Jones. Wait for the polish to thoroughly dry – at least 10-15 minutes. Then, add a thin coat of the same dark-coloured nail polish just on the tips, like you would for a French manicure.

Step 2:

While the tips are still wet, dip them in a tub of glitter – I’m using Hello Darling Glitterbug in Graceland, $9.95, Hello Darling, a blue-silver mix of glitter, which also comes with a clean-up brush to wipe away any excess glitter. Wait approximately five minutes, and then gently press down on the glitter to ensure that it’s dry. Don’t worry if the glitter speckles a little down the nail – it gives more of a firework-like effect! Wait at least 10-15 minutes until the glitter is touch-dry.

Step 3:

Then pick up a thin paintbrush – they’re often called liner brushes (you can buy one at a craft store for under $5), and using a silver polish like Hello Darling Nail Lacquer in Georgeous, $18.95, hold your brush on a slight slant and create three short diagonal stripes on your ring finger. They should look like mini fireworks.

Step 4:

Working quickly, grab your glitter and sprinkle it over the top of your nail. It will stick not only to your silver fireworks, but also may also attach to other parts of your nail, which makes it all the more festive. Use your clean-up brush, or even an old paintbrush, and whisk around or cuticles to wipe up any excess.

Here’s the finished product:

However, Primpers, if fireworks aren’t up your alley, there are other ways to dress up your nails to celebrate New Years Eve. The Orly Flash Glam collection is made up of five coloured glitters, along with a glossy shade of black that is perfect for a base colour. One coat will give you a little hint of glitter but the more coats you add, the more dimension and texture you’ll create. And for those of you who want to get a little bit experimental, you can layer the different shades of glitter on top of each other to create a multi-coloured effect.

My favourite shade is Can’t Be Tamed, a shimmering dark purple:

Stockists:1300 769 355

How will you be wearing your nails this new year?

Nail art or your favourite polish?

Happy New Year, Primpers!

Hayley x

Posted by: Hayley Bennett

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Tags: glitter nail, glitter nails, hello darling, nail art, party season 2012