When In Doubt, Just Add GLITTER | Buy Glitter Polish or Loose Glitter???

Confession time: I have a lot of Glitter :) No kidding!
Righly so, today's mani theme is none other than.... tadaah!!!

It's getting cheesier by the post here don't you think?
I had been a nanny for many years... the best part is, crafts time.  Back home in the Philippines, in my elementary school days, we had a school subject called MAPE (Music, Arts and Physical Education).  We had a little bit of theoretical studies in Music and Arts... since the weather was great, we almost always spent our time outdoors playing sports or games.  Ok, sometimes we get tested for physical capabilities and I was ranked as a "mal-nurished child" ha ha.  Few though our lessons might have been, music made an impression on me.  I learned to read musical notes on paper.  When our neighbor bought a piano, I made myself welcome in their home and was able to play tunes right away. I self-studied and learned a few songs.  Arts? Nah! I dismissed that... I would rather play... NO, I can't draw, not even a stick person.

But when I worked overseas as a nanny, I was exposed to the many things the kids of richer families do.  A room full of toys, daily music lessons... and crafts for fun.  I was both young in age and young at heart then... so I enjoyed these myself.  What really amused me is the different colors, glitter, craft papers, scissors... you name it!  The children use these items without any regard for thrift or saving pieces to be used again, perhaps for another project.  They squirt the glue, let the glitters flow... draw on one page after another!  I thought it was wasteful!  But they are little kids and they are learning... right?  Anyway, I got down there and drew with them, pasted stickers, folded paper and yes, poured out glitter ... I still can't draw, but I discovered I loved crafts.  That's probably why I like nail art a lot.  It is an easy expression of art and color, a simple art can look really beautiful.  You can become an artist!

That's where glitter comes in as well... The saying is right: "When In Doubt. Just Add Glitter."  On it's own, it's already very pretty.  Then you can add more designs as you wish. 

This glitter plus an equal amount of silver, mixed together is what I used for this glitter mani.

PROCEDURE:
First, I applied a clear topcoat (not the fast drying kind.)
Then, with my hand placed over a white piece of paper, I sprinkled some glitter mix on it.  Doing this very light and carefully.  I mixed the glitter in a tiny glass bowl, then I used a fan brush to spread the glitters more evenly.
Next, I applied another layer of top coat to seal the design.

At this point, you may add more design like rhinestones, water decals... or even draw on it once it's dry... I added a holographic polish chevron of the same color family.

~*~ Don't Let Anyone Ever Dull Your Sparkle ~*~

There's an easier way of doing this as well... that is of course, the use of Glitter Polishes.  This is the more expensive way... Well, I purchased my glitters from Michael's (a big craft store in Canada).  The original price was $39.99 dollars, but I waited till I got a 40% of coupon before purchasing it.  So for 30 bottles of mixed glitters and microbeads, I paid only $23.99 Cad. Whereas for 12 bottles of glitter polish from Julep, you'd pay about $84.00...

And then, one day, I was out just for a walk at Winner's (a department store).  I spotted a Martha Stewart Iridescent Heart and Stars (Glitter), 12 Bottles for only $8.00.  Normally, that cost $29.99 at Michael's (or $17.99 with the 40% off coupon). Cheaper? I would say, definitely!!!

Okay, you can get Glitter Polishes on sale but to mix your own glitter is still more cost effective.  Not to mention, you get to express your creativity better when you do your own mix.  Plus, you don't have to fish for the bigger glitters in the bottle or worry about getting too much clear polish.

But, sometimes...... Glitter is just hard to resist.  Won't you say?  Here's a box of Julep Polishes called "The Gem Collection" that I just purchased from the company.  I have this on my wishlist for the longest time.  Then a friend had a 50% coupon, I rode-in with her order and got this.  As I mentioned, normally this would cost $84.00... yes, including the Jewelry box.  In that case, yes... go for glitter, lol...

Indeed, Glitter mani is so much fun.  Whether you mix your own or use an already prepared one.  Indie Polishes offer many, many combination of glitters to choose from.  Perhaps, you and I can be a "little chemist" and concoct our own glitter polishes as well?  It doesn't hurt to dream.  Actually, that's one way we can leave a trail of glitter behind.  As they say we must do in order to be remembered, right?

 

So shine one girl, add a little sparkle... Glitter makes everything better ;)

I hope you enjoyed this post and my mani design above. I am also entering this post as part of the OMD2 Nail Challenge.  I am including the link below for more Glitter Inspirations.  I'm jumping ahead on the challenge here.   It's only Day 11 and Glitter theme is Day 16.  So please be sure to visit back as other Sparkly-Girls leave their trail of sparkle on the link :)

Have a lovely day ladies.  I wish you lots of love and happiness...

xoxo Maya

For more Nail Art designs, please visit my Nail Art Gallery

Thank you and have a fancy nails day! 

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