In the same way, glitter eye shadows and metallic highlighters can take a dull, humdrum makeup look to the next level, glitter nail polish is a foolproof way to turn a basic manicure into a dazzling work of art. And, as celebrity nail artist Miss Pop explains, these lacquers are surprisingly versatile. “Different metallic colors, sizes, and shapes, really make a glitter nail polish look chic and go with every outfit — it’s more stylish and adult, but still 100 percent fun.” Plus, you can wear glitter nail polish alone, or as a top coat for additional dimension and interest.
The problem? Use the wrong formula and you end up with a goopy mess rather than a radiant, gleaming shine. We hunted down the glitter nail polishes that glide on smooth, last days, and offer a beautiful color payoff.
Target
Shade: Set In Stones
This dazzling platinum glitter polish strikes the perfect balance between dainty and glam. It’s the easiest five-minute manicure that leaves your hands looking pretty and polished, without going full-on glitter bomb. It goes on smooth, wipes off easily, and looks equally as beautiful worn on bare nails or layered over your favorite color polish. “I used this platinum polish over a clear press-on for a Moschino runway show”, Miss Pop says. “It was fuss-free glamour—a rare combination.”
Color: Silver | Type/Finish: Clear polish with silver glitter | Size: .46 oz
Ulta
Shade: Out of this Pearl
If you’re looking for long-lasting nail polishes that stay chip-free, this gorgeous pearly rose gold polish delivers. It has a high gloss finish that lends a sophisticated metallic twinkle to nails and is a more subtle alternative to traditional razzle dazzle glitter nail polishes. The wide, flat brush holds makes for exceptionally even, smooth, easy-to-master at-home manicures and since the formula combines color and top coat in one bottle, you can complete your mani in less than five minutes. The polish dries fast, and lasts up to eight days.
Color: Rose gold | Type/Finish: Metallic | Size: 0.5 oz
Harrods
Shade: Stardust
Anyone who appreciates luxury nail polish will want this in their collection ASAP. One look at this stunning nail polish is enough to understand what all the fuss is about. It’s easily one of the most gorgeous nail polish bottles ever designed, with an extended bottle top that makes painting your nails feel extra fancy. It also gives your hand better grip and control as you paint. The elegant, geometric glass bottle is full of sparkling tiny gold and silver stars, inspired by Jimmy Choo’s iconic golden emblem, which gives off a diamond-like twinkle from every angle. Worn alone or layered as a top coat, this splurge-worthy polish makes a statement.
Color: Gold | Type/Finish: Clear top coat with gold and silver stars | Size: 0.5 oz
Zoya Professional
Shade: Elsa
As the name suggests, this 10-free polish is fit for a Snow Queen with a glittering iridescent finish that is completely enchanting. The cool-toned blue-purple color is littered with rainbow glitter that reflects and twinkles no matter where the light catches the nail. The color goes on sheerer than the bottle suggests, but a second coat of polish intensifies the gorgeous shade for a statement manicure.
Color: Blue-purple | Type/Finish: Iridescent | Size: 0.5 oz
Bluemercury
Shade: Candy Shop
This cheerful, pink-hued melange of rainbow-colored glitter is more than just a pretty face. Its patented formula features 10 nail treatment ingredients including biotin, keratin, and rice protein, which promote strong, healthy nails, and make your mani look even better. The pink base color applies very sheer and leaves the same glossy, cushioned finish of a salon gel manicure, minus the UV light, making this a considerably healthier alternative to a traditional gel manicure.
Color: Pink multi-color | Type/Finish: Gel | Size: 0.5 oz
Target
Shade: Partying in Piccadilly
The holographic silver flower confetti is suspended in a glossy, clear polish, adding a touch of pizazz to a basic, clear manicure. The flower glitter bits are big enough that you can manipulate how many you want to paint on to each nail, allowing you to control just how glittery you want your manicure to be. The patented bottle top is slightly pinched in the center, creating an ergonomic handle, which, when paired with their wide brush, makes for an easy DIY manicure. It’s also a forgiving glitter polish that will conceal any chips or smudges until you get around to fixing them.
Color: Silver | Type/Finish: Holographic | Size: 0.47 oz
Jin Soon
Shade: Daisy
Leave it to celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi to create a multi-dimensional, rainbow top coat that’s still sophisticated and work-appropriate. Truly a party in a bottle, it features a mix of chunky and fine glitter that adds a playful confetti garnish to nails. “Chunky glitter is such a statement,” says Miss Pop, who adds “It’s an easy look for someone who washes their hands a lot because you can never tell when it chips.”
Color: Multi-color | Type/Finish: Glitter | Size: 0.5 oz
Olive & June
Shade: Sundance Shimmer
If you adore zhuzhing your mani with a shimmery glitz, but don’t want it to look like a disco ball, this bronzy metallic polish was made for you. The warm shade pulls rose gold hues and bronzy taupes, but no matter what angle you catch it from, the finish is stunning. Plus, the 7-free formula is vegan and cruelty-free.
Color: Bronze | Type/Finish: Metallic | Size: 0.46 oz
Neiman Marcus
Shade: Like Gilded
Nothing feels as opulent as gold, and this dazzling polish only further confirms that fact. It sparkles with the same brilliance as a piece of fine gold jewelry and leaves nails looking every bit gilded and glamorous. There’s absolutely nothing subtle about a manicure with this polish, but that’s precisely what we love about it. It’s perfectly over-the-top and extravagant, delivering a blinged-out manicure that will get noticed.
Color: Gold | Type/Finish: Glitter | Size: 0.34 oz
Ulta
Shade: Pixel Dust
The Barbie-pink color may be more youthful than the other glitter polishes on our list, but it’s the playful, flirty polish perfect for summertime and vacation. The pink pearlescent shimmer is extra twinkly and mesmerizing, particularly when reflecting the sunshine at the beach. Added bonus: the long-lasting polish dries to a high-shine, gel-like finish that remains fresh for well over a week.
Color: Pink | Type/Finish: Glitter | Size: 0.5 oz
Target
Shade: After Party
This exceptionally clean, rose gold glitter polish features a mix of fine and chunky rose gold bits giving nails an elegant and multi-dimensional sparkle. The clear polish is surprisingly creamy and paints on smoothly, without any gritty roughness from the glitter. And, it dries impressively fast. But, our favorite part is the meticulously crafted 17-free formula which gives you a squeaky clean conscience as you paint it on.
Color: Pink | Type/Finish: Glitter | Size: 0.45 oz
What to Keep in Mind
- Formula: Glitter can range in size from fine to chunky, and each delivers a different twinkle and sparkle effect. Fine glitter tends to add more of a shimmery finish, while chunky glitter gives nails more twinkle. You can also look for nail polishes that feature a mix of fine and chunky glitter for a multi-dimensional effect.
- Shade: Some glitter nail polishes are suspended in a clear lacquer while others have a colored base. The color is a matter of personal preference, however it’s good to note the glitter polishes with a clear, translucent base can also double as a topcoat and can be layered over bare nails or any colored polish making them a bit more versatile.
Your Questions, Answered
What’s the best way to apply glitter nail polish?
Unlike crème nail polish that you brush on, glitter nail polish should be dabbed. “I do my best to wipe the excess top coat off of the brush, leaving the best collection of glitter on the tip,” says Miss Pop. Next, she dabs the nail to deliver glitter all over. “If too much collects in a corner, then I brush. Otherwise, dab away,” she adds.
How do you remove glitter nail polish?
Glitter nail polish gets a bad rep for a tough removal, but if you do it correctly, it should be a fast and easy process. “No foils required, just cotton and remover,” notes Miss Pop. “First, I break up my cotton into finger sized pieces. Then I soak each piece with remover and lay it on top of a nail. Let the cotton sit for a couple of minutes to soak around the glitter flecks and loosen the polish. Then, wipe away each little finger cotton piece with a big cotton ball soaked in remover.”
Why Shop With Us
Lindsay Colameo is a seasoned freelance beauty writer and editor with over a decade of experience contributing to leading print and digital publications including InStyle, Byrdie, Real Simple, and more. For this article, she researched and tried glitter nail polishes and interviewed celebrity manicurist Miss Pop.
