Summer Nail Trend Alert – Glitter-Tipped White Nails
White parties. Crisp, white pants. A fitted white tee. During this sticky, humidity-filled season, wearing white feels clean, chic and fresh. That goes for nails as well. We’ve talked about the white nail trend in the past but this year’s version brings sparkle to the party.
Summer Nail Polish Trend - Glitter Tipped White
Finding the perfect white nail polish can be hard. They can be too sheer, streaky or chalky. Adding a glittery tip gives white nails a funky edge and keeps the look from feeling too dated or mod.
This week’s People Magazine features top celebrity manicures for summer chosen by nail pros and I’m thrilled to be one of them. Keep reading to see which celebrity’s look I selected and how you can get it yourself!
Hailee Steinfeld’s glittery white nails at the CFDA Awards really stood out to me. They added the right amount of sparkle to her look without overshadowing the bold print of her gown.
Get the Look: Start with an opaque white base. Options include: China Glaze Snow ($5.86), L’Oreal Paris Colour Rich Nail in I Will! ($5.99) and Milani High Speed Fast Dry in White on the Spot ($5.79). For a slightly softer white, look for something with a hint of pearl or shimmer like China Glaze White Ice or Orly Au Champagne.
For the glittery tip, opt for something dense like Essie Beyond Cozy ($8) or more sparse, like Sparitual Illumination ($10). Looking for something chunky? OPI Sparke De Triomphe, OPI Crown Me Already ($9) or Jordana Rhinestones ($2.99) fit the bill. For a more subtle effect, try Orly Winter Wonderland ($5). And if you want to play with the sunlight, check out the holo glitter in Patricia Nail Lacquer Light ($9).
Pairing China Glaze Snow and Essie Beyond Cozy is a pretty close match to Hailee Steinfeld’s nails. Though my bottle has gotten a bit thick, due to air exposure, so it didn’t apply as well as it should.
China Glaze Snow & Essie Beyond Cozy
China Glaze Snow & Essie Beyond Cozy
Applying Sparitual Illumination over Snow using syrup manicure layering focused most of the glitter at my tips.
China Glaze Snow & Sparitual Illumination
Orly Winter Wonderland over Milani White On The Spot creates an iced, but not “Bros Icing Bros” iced, effect. The rainbow of light bursts coming from the holo glitter in Light from Patricia Nail Lacquer (created by Celebrity Manicurist Pattie Yankee) will look fantastic at the beach. And the chunky sequins in OPI Spark de Triomphe really pop against the white.
Milani White On The Spot with OPI Spark de Triomphe, Orly Winter Wonderland and Patricia Nail Lacquer Light
Creme whites too harsh? China Glaze White Ice is easy to apply, has a touch of shimmer and looks simply elegant with Beyond Cozy.
China Glaze White Ice with Essie Beyond Cozy
Don’t feel like messing with glitter? Try an all-over sparkle like China Glaze Dandy Lyin’ Around ($5.99).
China Glaze Dandy Lyin' Around
What’s your favorite way to wear white nails? Do you have a favorite white polish? Which glitters do you think look best over white?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for China Glaze, Essie, Jordana, L’Oreal, Milani, OPI, Orly, Patricia Nail Lacquer, Sparitual. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Can you define “syrup manicure layering” for me?
I love the look, but haven’t heard that term before.
Hi Alicia! Sorry, I should have explained that better. When you create a syrup manicure, like the one I did using the L’Oreal Miss Candy jellies, you layer the polish in segments. You put your first layer at the very tip of the nail. Then add another layer starting a bit below that, stroking towards the tip. Each layer covers the tip, adding more coverage at the edge, creating an ombre-like effect. I hope that makes sense.
I like it a lot! but it makes me think more of snow than summer. wishful thinking?
I can see that. Consider the temps today, I wouldn’t mind a little snow but I’m nowhere ready for winter.
I absolutely love the China Glaze Dandy Lyin
Hey girl! That’s straight out of the bottle. It’s from the spring collection. You’re more than welcome to borrow it for the wedding.
I need a shellac for that day – I’m horrible with my nails and I KNOW I’ll chip it for sure that day. Thank you for the offer!
I shall have to try this! I have never been a fan of plain white polish, but i like it paired with glitter tips…
It definitely keeps it from being as harsh.
I don’t like all white nails, but I don’t have a silver glitter. Oh well! It is certainly a bridal look.
I only have CG White on White and some of the holiday glitters, but I think they will be good enough to practice till I go to Sally’s.
White on White is a great option.
White creme nails also look good with silver foil polish nail art.
Agreed! Thanks for the suggestion
White nail polish and I don’t get along so well… I’ll have to look for some of the whites you mentioned. The glitter tips are a great look though!
The trick is definitely finding a white that you can work with. Shimmers are definitely better than straight up cremes but the Milani one is cheap and nice to work with.
I’ve found that Butter London Fairy Cake is perfect for this!!
Although I prefer to pair it with a very pale pink instead of stark white.
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll have to check out Fairy Cake
I really love this look. I tried using Sinful Colors Aries (pearly white) and Pure Ice Dazzle Me (chunky and fine holo glitter). It looks really nice but the white is a little too subtle and I don’t care for the chunky glitter. I am going to try Milani White on the Spot and Orly Tiara (finer glitter). Also I didn’t have much room for the syrup technique so I’m growing my nails out a bit. I got a lot of positive comments with my first try. I have learned a lot from your blog
I’m so glad it was helpful. I’ll have to look and see if I have Orly Tiara in my stash. Sounds like a perfect glitter for this.
Hi Michelle! Have you tried the Ciate brand of nail colours? They have an amazing white called ‘LA Confidential’ that has a jelly-like finish but with full coverage so you avoid that harsh ‘French mani white’ look that so many of the whites have (I always thought they looked a bit like Tipp-Ex!). I am going to a christening on Sunday and thought this would be a cute look for it, so have put LA Confidential on tonight and will figure out which glitter to go with tomorrow ;o)
Hi Hanna! Thanks for the rec. I have tried Ciate polish before but I don’t have that one. I’ll have to check it out.