Glitter Gradient Nail Polish Tutorial

I know I've said before that I'm not a huge fan of full on glitter nail polish. Basically, I think I've outgrown the disco ball nail (unless it's for a very specific occasion, then maybe).

But here's the deal, from time to time, I like a little sparkle. And what's a gal to do when she's acquired a few glitter polishes? Not use them? Say it ain't so. No sir. This gal will find other ways to incorporate glitter into a look. And I'm partial to the glitter gradient, the glitter accent, and a glitter tip or moon.

I think that having a base color and strategically placed glitter helps give a sparkling manicure a little more sophistication. Don't you?

I may not necessarily wear it to the office (unless I worked in one where such things were encouraged, ahem, Zoya fairies), but I think this look is fun for the weekends or even special occasions (birthday sparkle, anyone?).

That being said, I recently stumbled on a pretty nail polish photo one Pinterest (where else, I mean, really?) and posted it on my Facebook page. It' seems a few of you liked it as well. So I decided to share a video tutorial on how you can achieve the same look.

Here's the photo that inspired my manicure:

Photo credit: Nemos Nails

NOTE: I already used the technique that Nemo's Nails demonstrates on her blog for doing a glitter gradient before I read her blog. However, it wasn't until I saw this photo that I thought to mix glitter polishes together to create more dimension. I've seen the light!

Check out the very easy technique that you can replicate for yourself at home:

Here's an extra photos of my finished glitter gradient nails so you can have a better look:

A few tips:

• I find using a neutral color (nude, pink, black, navy blue, white, grey) as a base works best, that way it won't clash with the glitter. But of course, you choose whatever colors suit your fancy.
• I like the technique of using multiple glitter polishes because it build dimension, however, you can easily just follow the same steps using one glitter color. 
• The same technique would work well with the same glitter color and different glitter sizes (e.g. micro glitter mixed with chunky glitter) and also give dimension.
• Make sure to wait between each coat to avoid too much glitter travel.
• This manicure is easy, but takes a little time so make sure you're not in a hurry because it takes a little extra time to dry and set all the way. 

How do you feel about glittery tips? Would you try this at home? Isn't it so much easier than you imagined?