Hi Ladies! As I mentioned in my previous post, my Nanna was visiting this weekend and as a treat we popped to the salon to get our nails done. I went for my usual clear acrylics and my Nanna had a standard manicure and polish. She already has lovely natural nails so didn't need the fakies like me, haha! I've not had my nails done in such a long time as I wanted to give them a breather after abusing them with acrylics last year. However, after months of wearing no nail polish and looking at my awful short and stumpy nails, I finally caved. After all, its nearly Spring and I can't miss out on pretty pastel nails now can I?
Being the spend-a-holic that I am, having new nails gave me the perfect excuse to buy some new polishes (regardless of the basket full sitting in my drawer 8)). So, whilst doing the weekly shop with my boyfriend in Tesco, I spotted 3 for 2 on Barry M polishes. Yes I know, I was meant to be doing a food shop and still couldn't resist a peak down the beauty aisle. I think my boyfriends learnt to accept my beauty addiction by now as he stood patiently with the trolley whilst I rummaged through the colour range. I eventually decided on the three polishes I wanted, one of them being 'Aqua Glitter', a gorgeous Turquoise (or Aqua, as the name states) and silver glitter. I don't own a great deal of glitters in my nail collection and I thought this one was perfect and summery.
As soon as we'd got home, before the shopping was even unpacked, I was on a mission to create a nail look with my new glitter polish. I already new I wanted to use Topshop AWOL, a bright colbat blue, alongside the glitter but I wasn't sure how to pair them together. I don't like to wear glitter all over every single nail as I think it looks a bit much, especially for work, so I set about coming up with something glam but not so OTT. After a bit of playing around, I eventually decided I would use the glitter to create a gradient 'ombre' effect on the tip of each nail. I'm not the most creative person when it comes to nail art but I'd seen a few people do this effect and loved the results.
I started by applying a base coat then Topshop AWOL all over my nails. If you haven't tried Topshop nail polishes, I urge you too, they're one of my favourite brands. The brushes are quite small and thick which makes application easy and effortless and the consistency of the polish itself is just perfect - I only needed one coat to achieve full opaque coverage. When AWOL had dried (I used my Sally Hansen Insta Dri to speed things along), I set to work on applying the glitter. To create the gradient effect, it was a matter of trial and error. I knew I wanted the glitter to blend and not look like a harsh line so I applied it from the mid section of the nail upwards using random strokes to create the gradient effect. I think it worked pretty well and it only took a matter of minutes to apply it to all of my nails. I also like how the glitter particles are very fine in this polish as I can't imagine this effect would work too well with a chunky glitter.
Overall, I really love this effect and I'll definitely be trying it again with different shades. I've really enjoyed doing a nail post too as due to my rubbish natural nails, I don't do them all that often. If you've enjoyed reading this and would like to see more nail posts from me, please do let me know in the comments below.
I'd also like to say sorry for the lack of photos of my actual nails but my DSLR picked up all the cuts on my fingers and my dry hands (damn you cold weather), so the one I've included was the best of a bad bunch. I've popped a couple more over on my Instagram though (kayleighjcouture), if you fancy a look.
What do you think of gradient glitter nails? Do you like this effect?
Your nails look amazing! I love the Topshop nail polish, it looks so pretty. I really want to test makeup products and nail polish from Topshop, I've seen it on so many blogs!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
XO
scribblesofvalerie.blogspot.com
Such gorgeous nails :) I really wwant to pick up the Barry M one, think it will be perfect from Spring/ Summer! Lovely post! xx
ReplyDeletebelle-amiebeauty.blogspot.co.uk
I love that top shop blue! Such a gorgeous colour! xx
ReplyDeletesarahleax.blogspot.co.uk
Oooh that glitter is so pretty! :) xx
ReplyDeleteemilyjaneosborne.blogspot.com
I loveee that blue xx
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous Kayleigh!! :) look so lovely!! Xxx
ReplyDeleteEek ive wanted AWOL for ages! Im such a fan of blue nails - I must have a heap of shades all the same but i just cant resist blue polish! Love the gradient on these they look so pretty :) xx
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty colours
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Oh I like this! I love that blue:)
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http://georgialouisee.blogspot.co.uk
such a pretty combo! Love the glitter :)
ReplyDeleteCarissa xx
Vanilla Crush Blog
Looks great! And I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves a good supermarket beauty raid ;)
ReplyDeleteYour nails look amazing! I love the colours together! x
ReplyDeletegraciousghost.blogspot.com
They look so lovely together, that sparkly varnish especially looks amazing!
ReplyDeletelove it!really pretty for spring x
ReplyDeleteIt looks great and I especially love the Barry M one, but that last time I bought a Barry M glitter polish I found that it didn't really last long.. :-/
ReplyDeleteSo pretty :) i love the topshop blue colour too its gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteLove Emily xx
love-x-beauty.blogspot.co.uk
You're right, spring time = gorgeous nails.. now I need to just get them done!
ReplyDeleteYou see I am soo bad with leaving the house to go out, and I just sit at home staring at all the beauty things I want! hahah
Great post and your nails look gorgeous :D <3
Love
Annabelle
TheCurleyGirl
xxxxxxxx
oooh this is a lovely combination! like a mermaid or something :)
ReplyDeletexxx
http://eleanorcos.blogspot.com/
The glitter on the ends looks so pretty x
ReplyDeletehttp://pamperedpout.blogspot.co.uk
I own about 12 different blue nail polish shades, which is completely unnecessary, but there's just something so gorgeous about blue nails! xx
ReplyDeleteGemma | Miss Makeup Magpie
This looks lovely, I might try and re-create this myself. I'm dying to try more products from the Topshop cosmetics range cos I love their lipsticks. Highlighter and cream blush are on my April to-buy list.
ReplyDeleteHolly xo
http://hollslucy.blogspot.co.uk/
This looks really pretty! I've been wanting to try more gradients, I only have done one before, but I really liked the way it came out! :)
ReplyDeleteXO
aly
this is gorgeous! I've never tried a glitter gradient but I'll definitely be giving it a shot after seeing these photos! I love reading nail posts :) xx
ReplyDeleteThese colours are so pretty together. I have been putting off getting a topshop nail vanish for over a year now and I have no idea why. But looking at the colour pay off with awol, I may have to purchase. The gradient idea is great and i love this post.
ReplyDeleteRachel x
I want that Barry M glitter one soooo badly, every time I go into superdrug I walk around holding it but I'm on a nail polish ban so I still haven't got it :( Love the effect you've done! Blue nails are my favourite at the minute :)
ReplyDeleteLove Holly x
It looks absolutely amazing hun!The two colors compliment each other beautifully! <33
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XO,
http://www.rosychicc.com/
This is such a gorgeous combo x
ReplyDeleteOoh I love the finished look, the glitter ombre style worked well :) I've been meaning to get some more topshop nail polishes as I used one once and remember it being really good and they've got a great colour selection too! x
ReplyDeleteThis actually looks like an easy way to do the ombre effect on nails, I've been wondering how to do it but since I lack the skills all the tutorials i've seen have been too complex for me boo! Until now of course!
ReplyDeleteAmy x cocktailsinteacups.com
that looks gorgeous! love that colour so much!
ReplyDelete-ariel* xoxo
www.chiclookxo.com
your pictures are always so gorge kay, you should definitly do a photography post!xxxx
ReplyDeleteAWOL is a new favourite of mine, it's so beautiful! x
ReplyDeletehttp://thebeautyvisual.blogspot.co.uk
The two polishes look so pretty together!! I love the glitter tips!
ReplyDeletexoxo
annpaige
I've been looking at AWOL for a while I really want a bright blue nail varnish for spring xxxx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeletexo Mehar
confessionsofasightseer.blogspot.com
They look amazing! xo
ReplyDeleteI have a giveaway running at the moment to win a beauty box full of products lifebyemmy.blogspot.com
such a gorgeous combo, love how you've only applied the glitter on the tips xo
ReplyDeleteGreat combination! It's a very good idea to paint few dots at the cover with the color aso you'll know what it is. I will try that!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous combo x
ReplyDeleteLove the colours together, they work really well! I also love how you've put the glitter on
ReplyDeleteLauren
Fashionswirls.blogspot.com
@laurenfreeves
Loving that topshop nail varnish! Saw it the other day, regretting not picking it up now!
ReplyDeleteEmily :)
www.emulehparker.co.uk
That Topshop Blue is amazing, perfect for this time of the year!
ReplyDeleteP. xx
I really like the pairing, your nails look pretty x
ReplyDeletelove it!
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely! I'm a sucker for acrylics dread to think how much money I've spent getting them done but they cheer me up just looking at them! I drive my boyfriend mad with all my nail polishes I agree about top shop they are fab and surprisingly good for the price and a great variety! I'm going to buy the top shop blue after reading this :) check out my blog if you have a moment I'm new so any comments would be much appreciated as you were one of the very first blogs I ever read :)
ReplyDeleteBeautyandthebun.blogspot.co.uk. Xxx
I am definitely going to try these, they look so pretty! xxx
ReplyDeletehttp://unstitchedd.blogspot.co.uk
These colours are beautiful! I love gradient glitter nails :) need to get some new polishes for the summer!
ReplyDeletewww.lustforlipstick.blogspot.co.uk
i bought this topshop colour too the other day! its gorgeous! may have to purchase the barry m to match now too!! lovely post
ReplyDeletehttp://kittyhannon.blogspot.co.uk/
I have this Barry M shade too, absolutely love it x
ReplyDeletewww.beths1986.blogspot.co.uk
AWOL is my fave Top Shop nail polish, so vibrant and pretty! xo
ReplyDeleteShabby Chic and Tea♥
i like your blog! its so cute! <3 i just followed you on gfc, bl and twitter. my twitter is @yappysid btw. hope you follow me back! <3
ReplyDeletexx,
http://littledreamersavenue.blogspot.com/
I love glitter that fades towards the cuticle! xo
ReplyDeletehttp://hollieappleby.blogspot.com/
Hey Kayleigh. I love the effect you have created. Your boyfriend may as well just leave you down the beauty aisle and do all the boring shopping for you! Great post as ever xx
ReplyDeletei love this, they look so pretty x
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loving the combo! Both shades compliment each other beautifully! Well done! (:
ReplyDeleteI am having an International Giveaway on my blog and I'd love it if you enter for the chance to win Chanel, Maybelline and other! <3
XO,
http://www.rosychicc.com/
I haven't tried Top Shop nails polishes but I will since you recommend them so much :D love the nails
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely combo :)
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Aww I love blue nail polishes and this this combo looks fabulous on your nails hun, and the added glitter is just so pretty. I keep meaning to pick Aqua Glitter up, but I'm on a nail polish spending ban boo :( xxx
ReplyDeletei love barry m's but can't get them over here in canada sadly!
ReplyDeletehttp://beautybygeorgie.com