Nail Art How-To: Perfect Party Nails

A mani must when throwing or attending a party: glitter polish. Julie Kandelic, creative director of Paint Box Nail Salon, shows you exactly how to get this half-moon glitter nail look in minutes.

1. Prep and paint. File your nails into the desired shape, push back your cuticles — DO NOT CUT THEM! — and apply a basecoat, like Orly Bonder. Then, paint your nails with two coats of a full-coverage gold glitter polish, like Nails Inc. Chelsea Embankment. Start applying the polish from one side to the other, creating an arch over where the moon of your nail naturally is. 

2. Clean up your half-moon. Since glitter is so forgiving, if the arch over your half-moon isn't perfect, you can use an eyeliner brush dipped in acetone-based polish remover to make the semi-circle flawless.

3. Add on a holographic glitter lacquer. Give the nail more dimension with a holographic gold polish, like Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer "Glitter and Be Gay," making sure not to get it in the negative space of the half-moon.

4. Swipe on a multicolored glitter on top to get notice-me nails. Add on a super glittery polish, like Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in "Happy Birthday," again making sure not to get any in the negative space. Then, finish with your favorite topcoat.

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