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Mixed Metal Manis: Get the Party and Conversation Started with a Silver and Golden Glitter Ombre Manicure

December 20th, 2011 by Karen 39 Comments

Yes, ma’am, I’m still in a metallic mani mode, also known as a mixed metal mani state of mind. Why? Because it’s magnetic! — not literally, of course — but I think there is something bewitching about nails that look like shiny baubles shimmering in silver and gold. Perhaps it’s because they remind me of disco balls, or perhaps it’s an ancient urge more primitive and primal than that.

This particular metal mani, a silver and gold ombre affair, is a manifestation of this MAC purse from holiday 2007, and how its tweed pattern melts from silver to gold (LOVE!).

Since the look required a number layers, I grabbed two polishes that I knew would dry quickly, a silvery glitter from Essie called Set in Stones, and a golden glitter from China Glaze called Blonde Bombshell. Of course, you could substitute other silver and gold glitters from your personal stash.

After applying a base coat to prime and even out the surface of my nails, I applied three (!) coats of Essie Set in Stones to build up the glittery silver backdrop that covers the surface of each nail. To ramp up the bling even more, you could always apply four. 🙂

Next, to initiate Project Ombre Effect, I applied Blonde Bombshell, beginning at the base of each nail, and tapering as I moved toward the tip.

Then, I added one extra layer to intensify the transitional effect where the gold meets the silver, concentrating a little more glitter at the base of each nail.

Once the nails were dry, I added a protective clear top coat to enhance their durability and shine.

What I really love about this look is the subtle shift from silver to gold. From far away, it’s hard to notice, but right up close it’s a great conversation starter. 🙂

Pair it with a cocktail ring like this one from Betsey Johnson, and you’re good to go!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Mixed Metal Manis: Get the Party and Conversation Started with a Silver and Golden Glitter Ombre Manicure / Originally published December 20th, 2011

There are 39 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup Tips/How To, Nails Keywords: china glaze, essie

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Comments

  1. adelle says

    December 20th, 2011 at 10:38 am

    You have such pretty hands! (cute ring too)

    Reply
  2. Kejal says

    December 20th, 2011 at 10:46 am

    oohhhhh!!! super!!
    Kejal recently posted … Ho-Ho-Ho!!

    Reply
  3. Kejal says

    December 20th, 2011 at 10:47 am

    and I love the ring!!
    Kejal recently posted … Ho-Ho-Ho!!

    Reply
  4. Vonvon says

    December 20th, 2011 at 10:58 am

    Wow! This is gorgeous and so bling bling!
    Vonvon recently posted … Photo-less Post: Pining For MAC – The Computer & The Makeup; Shopping @ Selfridges – SUQQU & Tom Ford

    Reply
  5. DalaLuz says

    December 20th, 2011 at 11:01 am

    Bling 😀

    Reply
  6. Inday says

    December 20th, 2011 at 11:11 am

    Your manis have been on hit lately Karen! I think this one is one of my favorites! I’m going to try it tonight with some craft store glitters and clear polish, thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  7. Rads says

    December 20th, 2011 at 11:28 am

    Loved the nails…I need to get myself a decent top coat and some glitter fest nail colours 😀 😀 😀

    Reply
  8. Swatch And Learn says

    December 20th, 2011 at 11:28 am

    Karen, your manicure is beautiful, but oh my goodness, your adorable ring just stole the show! Haha, I like how she even has a pearl necklace. What a classy animal! 😛
    Swatch And Learn recently posted … Blog News: The Nail Polish Tag

    Reply
  9. Sunny says

    December 20th, 2011 at 11:52 am

    I’ve always stayed away from silver because I don’t think it’d work very well for my skintone. This is a genius way of wearing it though! So bling and festive! PS: LOVE the ring!!!
    Sunny recently posted … FOTD: Purposefully Pink with Urban Decay Naked Palette

    Reply
  10. Nina says

    December 20th, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    the ring is gorgeous and fits right in w/ the even more gorgeous mani! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Erin says

    December 20th, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    Love this! Great post!

    Reply
  12. Stephanie says

    December 20th, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    Pretty! I’m wearing a gradient manicure with blue polish and lots of different glitters on the tips of my nails.
    Stephanie recently posted … Favorite China Glaze Polishes for Christmas

    Reply
  13. Nancy says

    December 20th, 2011 at 12:39 pm

    Oh love this!! Such a good idea! I already have some gold glitter polish..just have to go grab the silver!

    Reply
  14. DanaJae says

    December 20th, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    These are stunning! Looks like I might have to make another trip to the nail store! lol

    Reply
  15. Chris25 says

    December 20th, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    I actually considered collecting cat jewelry, but I feel that it would make me too much of a cat lady. I have to set limits before I try to get myself a cat house:

    http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/a-purrfect-house-for-cats.html

    Reply
    • Swatch And Learn says

      December 20th, 2011 at 6:06 pm

      Haha, wow! Yeah, if you’re a cat lady with TONS of money, that would definitely be a cat mansion to get. Lucky felines!

      I think it’s okay if you have some cat jewelry…but maybe just don’t wear it if you also have a cat sweater, cat-print pants, shoes with cat faces, etc. Hehe!
      Swatch And Learn recently posted … Blog News: My Strawberry Nails Featured on beautylish!

      Reply
  16. gio says

    December 20th, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    So pretty! Love the ring too!
    gio recently posted … 5 Myths About Skincare Products Busted!

    Reply
  17. Marian says

    December 20th, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    Pretty! I just now got the Essie Luxeffects set. I’m so excited! I can’t wait to do my nails!

    Reply
  18. Lisa says

    December 20th, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    Karen – love the nails…so festive:-) And I WANT that ring. omg…my parents gave me the matching necklace last year for christmas….I get tons of complements on it. Did you get the ring recently?

    Reply
  19. Vijaya says

    December 20th, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    This year I used a press on mani. Hooray for cheatcodes? xD
    Vijaya recently posted … Influenster’s VoxBox Holiday 2011

    Reply
  20. Makeup Morsels says

    December 20th, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Love this! I do a lot of layering with gold glitter+another color and the same with silver, but it never occurred to me to combine them 🙂 Guess I know what I’ll be wearing on my nails for the holidays! Thanks for this tutorial, and I love your ring hahaha
    Makeup Morsels recently posted … A Very Merry DIY + Affordable Holiday Gifts

    Reply
  21. Solangel says

    December 20th, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    Looooove <3

    Reply
  22. mn says

    December 20th, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    I’m definetely borrowing this idea.

    Reply
  23. Kayleigh says

    December 20th, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    Love this mani, such a great idea!

    Reply
  24. Rachael says

    December 20th, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    I bought the essie the other day so I can apply it over my grey polish for my engagement photos!

    Reply
  25. Britany B. says

    December 20th, 2011 at 9:26 pm

    Wonder if I can substitute the china glaze polish with the gold essie polish….

    Reply
  26. peach_ says

    December 20th, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    Awesome idea and the result is STUNNING, Karen! That kitty ring is so fun!

    Reply
  27. Aquelle says

    December 21st, 2011 at 12:10 am

    I am so in love with Ombre nails…. I working on mastering the technique now. Tried every Trend color for spring so far…LOVE IT!!!!!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 21st, 2011 at 8:40 am

      It’s so fun! 🙂

      Reply
  28. Sarah says

    December 21st, 2011 at 6:04 am

    Love this look. I think I’m going to try something similar later this week!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 21st, 2011 at 8:37 am

      If you end up doing this look, send me a pic!

      Happy Wednesday. 🙂

      Reply
  29. Sarah says

    December 21st, 2011 at 6:50 am

    This a fantastic look! So pretty and creative!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 21st, 2011 at 8:34 am

      Thanks, Sarah! 🙂

      Reply
  30. Jess says

    December 21st, 2011 at 10:05 am

    loveeee this look! definitely going to try it out 🙂

    Reply
  31. Kim says

    December 21st, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    This looks awesome! And I can’t believe you put 5 layers of polish on. I just know that if I did that, one nail would chip in about 5 minutes!! 🙂

    Reply
  32. Frosso says

    December 21st, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Gorgeous!! Such a great idea 🙂 And I love the betsey cocktail ring, I have her panda face ring and love it too 🙂
    Frosso recently posted … Rescue Beauty Lounge Scrangie

    Reply
  33. Hazel says

    December 21st, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    oooooooh i hellllla love this! i did this with another glitter nail polish but it was so many layers that it came off easily lol

    Reply
  34. Danielle says

    December 21st, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    Pretty! I took my Sephora Flurry Up Topcoat with me on my holiday trip, but don’t think I have my gold one. I definitely might need to just buy another one and try this though…lol.
    Danielle recently posted … Tom Ford Beauty Lip Color in Crimson Noir Review, Swatches, and Pics

    Reply
  35. Julie says

    December 22nd, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    After reading your post, i was inspired to copy it but in silver and red! I already had Essie Set in Stones, so I just picked up a drugstore red polish that had flakes of glitter and followed your instructions! Looks gorgeous and so festive! Great idea!

    Reply

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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