Right now ombré is the big trend in hair color. While I have not been brave enough to try out the ombré look with my hair, I am loving the subtle fade of ombré on my nails.

Ombré Glitter Manicure - Asphalt & Hematite

I created this look using CND Shellac in Asphalt; however, you can do this with any type of regular nail polish. (I am definitely going to try this look out using OPI’s Over the Taupe — a beautiful creamy beige — with the same Martha Stewart Crafts Fine Glitter in Hematite.

To create the ombré look using glitter and regular nail polish, begin with a full manicure with base coat, two coats of color and a top coat (I highly recommend Seche Vite as a top coat – it is amazing!).

Once your manicure is completely dry, mix together a couple of drops of your top coat with a couple taps of glitter. Use an orange stick to mix the glitter and top coat – the consistency should be a bit thicker than regular polish, similar to paste.

Using a small, clean makeup brush or nail brush (or even a paint brush), apply the glitter paste to the bottom half of your nail using a patting motion. Aim to have a thicker consistency of glitter on the tip. Once you have coated the tip and bottom half pretty well with the glitter, use the brush to gently pull small amounts of the glitter towards the base of your nail. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Keep in mind that we are creating a subtle faded look.

Now we have to be patient. Wait about five minutes for the glitter paste to completely dry. This next (and final)  step is optional, but I opt to finish with another full coat of top coat on top of the dried glitter. This will eliminate the gritty feel you may get (depending on the type of glitter you use).

I chose to only apply the glitter fade to my ring fingers. I think that this look is subtle enough to wear to work, but is still a fun way to dress up a manicure.

*If you are working with Shellac, click here for an excellent tutorial from the nail tech and CND ambassador, Holly Schippers.