I stopped by a UPS Store to mail a package last week and received an unexpected compliment from the guy working the counter. He pointed at my glittery red and gold ombre manicure and said, “Atta girl! You’re wearing 49er colors.”
He said that his wife, a long-time Niners fan, would probably love to wear a mani like that on game day and asked if it was hard to do.
“Not at all,” I replied, and I walked him through the process as he prepped my package.
FYI: Talking nails with a big, burly UPS guy is weirdly entertaining. About halfway through the process, his eyes took on the same glazed, confused look that El Hub gets when I try to explain why it makes perfect sense for me to own 15 pairs of black shoes…
That’s when I suggested that the guy have his wife visit MBB. 🙂
If you’re a sports fan, Thanksgiving also means football! — a fun excuse to 1) paint your nails in support of your team and 2) give everyone around you something sparkly to look at while they heap mashed potatoes on their plate (YUM!).
To match the 49ers, I used red and gold shades from China Glaze and Lippmann.
Polishes from the left: China Glaze Champagne Bubbles, Lippmann Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?, and China Glaze Ring in the Red
So, Mr. UPS guy, this one’s for you and your wife! 🙂
Kickoff and the start of the first quarter
Let’s start by applying a clear base coat to even out the surface of the nail, and then brush on three layers of your background color, in my case golden Champagne Bubbles by China Glaze.
End of the first half
Now, to start creating the glittery ombre effect, apply a polish with large pieces of glitter in it. Here I’m using Deborah Lippmann’s Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? (a red), and I begin at the tips and work about halfway down the nail toward the cuticle. That way, most of the glitter gets concentrated near the tips.
The third quarter
Add several layers of the same polish at the tips (just at the tips) to deposit even more glitter and intensify the effect.
The fourth quarter
To fill in the sparse areas and give some depth to the effect, dab a glittery polish that contains very tiny flecks of glitter in the middle of the nail. Here I’m using Ring in the Red by China Glaze.
The 2-minute warning!
Finally, apply your favorite shiny topcoat along the entire nail to smooth and protect your work.
Game over
Go team! 🙂 Now, would someone please pass the pecan pie so that I may stuff myself silly?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Christina says
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:15 pmI am in love with your ombre manicures!! <3 I'm definitely going to try some with the holidays coming up 😀
Speaking of which, I just finished making cornbread muffins for the big day tomorrow! I plan on making a "Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake" and cinnamon whipped cream tomorrow since there's technically pumpkin pie but I wanted to spice things up a bit 😛
I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and eat lots of yum yums!
Brandy says
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:16 pmDo you find the tips of your nails feel too thick when you do this? I tried it with a chunky glitter and didn’t like the way it felt, so I’m going to try with a smaller glitter polish. I just got MAC’s Unconditionally Fabulous and can’t wait to try an ombre effect with it. 🙂
Leota says
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:17 pmAaahhh!! I’m going crazy for this mani. I’m a BIG Niner faithful as I’m a Bay Area girl as well 😉 I just did a dance after finding out Walmart is open tomorrow morning and now I’m doing another for this mani. I’m sure I can find a gold shimmer polish. I’ve been searching for a cute nail design to support the Niners. Thank you!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! & GOOOOO NINERS!!!
Coral says
November 23rd, 2011 at 9:38 pmThat is an awesome tutorial. Not only can I use that to show team colors, but I finally know how to do that at home by myself.
I have my eye on a pumpkin pie cheesecake. Hopefully I can get some before everyone else eats it.
Katie says
November 23rd, 2011 at 10:14 pmI love this…not a 49ers fan, but I am a Florida State fan and they’re the same colors! I need that glitter!
gio says
November 23rd, 2011 at 11:03 pmLove the nails and thanks for the tutorial.
gio recently posted … Product Review: Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara
Chris25 says
November 24th, 2011 at 12:44 amThis is a cool idea! I’m totally stealing it. 😛
Anitacska says
November 24th, 2011 at 1:34 amSo lovely. Unfortunately everything chips on me within a day or two, so it would be pointless for me to put so much time into something that will chip off quickly. 🙁 I have bought the China Glaze polishes though and I need to use them asap. I love the gold one especially!
Anitacska recently posted … Guerlain Spring 2012 Collection Sneak Preview!
Vonvon says
November 24th, 2011 at 5:36 amLovely colours, and very bright nails!
Vonvon recently posted … Eyeshadow Swatches: MAC Big Bounce Shadows & Gosh Mono Eyeshadows
Crystal says
November 24th, 2011 at 5:42 amI love it! Looks fantastic!
Crystal recently posted … Happy Thanksgiving!
PinkGlitter says
November 24th, 2011 at 8:26 amI’m not a 49ers fan but this looks fabulous!
PinkGlitter recently posted … Soap & Glory Hand Food Hand Cream
BeckBeck says
November 24th, 2011 at 8:29 amI’ve only recently embraced glitter, and I may try this next time I go to a game – my hubby’s team is the Patriots and I’m a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan, so the colors are the same for both teams, haha. I think I would do Essie Bobbing for Baubles base, and I just bought the red and silver glitter from the China Glaze Eye Candy collection.
Jessica says
November 24th, 2011 at 8:43 amOu! I love this idea! I am a huge sports fan and my teams all have the same colour even though they are in different countries! New England Pats fan and a Montreal Canadiens Fan!!! I am so excited to try this.. THANKS!!
Shannon Mackey says
November 24th, 2011 at 10:42 amThat is so cute!! I am definitely trying that next time I paint my nails.
Shannon Mackey recently posted … MAC Glitter and Ice Dazzlesphere
leener says
November 24th, 2011 at 12:04 pmYour manicure is so cool! Can’t wait for tonight’s “Har-bowl!” Happy Thanksgiving and GOOOO RAVENS!
Nina says
November 24th, 2011 at 12:18 pmthat is an adorable mani, Karen! 🙂
Clare @ cclarebear.com says
November 24th, 2011 at 2:36 pmThat’s such a good tutorial – I’ve been eyeing off ombre mani’s for a while now but have been too scared to give it a go. Not now!
Jennifer says
November 24th, 2011 at 5:36 pmSee, this is why I love your blog! Cute mani and happy gobble gobble day to you!
Ana says
November 25th, 2011 at 12:27 pmWill try this.
resa says
November 26th, 2011 at 12:25 amI’m going to do an ombre like this :). I’m happy to see the 49ers do so well :).
resa recently posted … NOTD – Guess what I was going for!
@itspeep says
November 27th, 2011 at 4:19 pmKaren, great technique girlie!! I love they way they turned out. My bf’s favorite team is the 49ers! So I have to try this soon, plus this could go for any team colors, with the same technique. I appreciate you sharing this with us! ♥
Heidi says
November 27th, 2011 at 7:04 pmsweeeet. i’m gonna try this. GO PACK GO!!
Jenny says
November 27th, 2011 at 7:24 pmKaren, I love this! I’m not a big football fan (I know, I’m sorry), but I love my hometeam, THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS! I’m from Berkeley, so I’m a huge supporter and frequently chant “Fear The Beard” at the games. Do you know of any good orange glitter polishes? Thank you so much!
Heather G. says
December 3rd, 2011 at 7:30 pmI love this – I’m a die hard Niners fan, and a Bay Area girl too! Don’t know how I’m just now stumbling across your blog, but I’ve bookmarked it!
Heather G. recently posted … Hello, I Love You: Red + Green
Chris @ Granola2Glam says
January 4th, 2012 at 11:21 pmVery cool! How long did it last? I am so obsessed with glitter ombre nails right now!
http://granola2glam.blogspot.com/2012/01/gradient-ombre-gelish-manicure-in-pinks.html