Aha! I always knew (or hoped) that those countless hours spent watching Pop-Up Video would pay off eventually. Yup, it was while watching Britney shake her moneymaker in the Toxic video (one of my faves) the other that day that I came up with this idea for a Mixed Metal Mani.
You know that nude bodysuit she wears with the diamonds? Wouldn’t that look pretty chic and blingy on your nails? — a minimalist nude nail layered with gold and silver glitter?
Let’s find out! 🙂
I started with a base coat, and then slipped on two layers of creamy beige Essie Brooch the Subject, which would be my nude background color.
I wanted a subtle sparkle from the golden glitter — nothing too overpowering — so I chose Essie as Gold as It Gets for its tiny flecks of golden glitter in varying shapes.
(NOTE: Next time I give something like this a try, I just might add a top coat and stop right there. Coupled with a nude background color, I think it’s a very pretty, subdued way to approach glitter.)
Next, to bump up the bling and simulate the diamonds on Brit’s bodysuit, I painted on a layer of Essie Set in Stones, a polish with big bits of silver glitter.
I finished by adding a clear top coat to further enhance the shine.
This particular Mixed Metal Mani’s pretty tame compared to the glitter ombre and two tone ones we’ve tried, but there’s also a time and place for tame. I like the way the nude background showcases the glitter, highlighting it in a subtle, but fun way.
Good mornin’ and happy Thursday!
This is how I felt when I got up this morning…
LOL! But after two cups of tea and a bowl of gruel (aka oatmeal), I felt a thousand times better. I swear I’m ruled by my stomach…
What do you have lined up for today? If you’re braving the crowds, best of luck! It’s a madhouse out there.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
nikki says
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:49 amI love this !!!!
Linda says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:00 amI love this! Karen, you never cease to amaze me.
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:20 pmHi Linda,
Aww, I’m really glad to hear that you like it. It’s my new fave nail look. 🙂 If you end up trying it send me a pic.
Melissa says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:02 amThis one is amazing Karen! Love <3
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:19 pmHi Melissa,
Thanks for the mani <3! I hope you give this one a try soon.
Happy holidays!
Trisha says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:11 amSo pretty! I can’t even take how pretty that is.
And Tabs looks adorable, as usual. 😀
Trisha recently posted … Back to Black With Bigen
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:19 pmGlad you like it, Trisha. 🙂
Sonya says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:13 amSO pretty! I will have to try this (you post some awesome manis!)
Sonya recently posted … Revlon Lip Butters in Gumdrop, Raspberry Pie, Sweet Tart – Review, Swatches, Photos
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:18 pmThanks, Sonya! If you want send or tweet me a pic of your mani. I’d love to see it.
Marilyn says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:17 amlove this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:17 pmI hope you give it a try, Marilyn!
gio says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:21 amLove this, it is so pretty!
gio recently posted … QOTW: What Was The First Beauty Product You Fell In Love With?
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:17 pmThanks, Gio!
Tina B says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:21 amThis combo is absolutely beautiful, I want to give this a try immediately!!
Tina B recently posted … More Last Minute Gifts: Accessories, PJs, and More!
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:16 pmHi Tina,
Send me a pic once you give it a try!
Cass says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:24 amI love this! I saw the pic on my RSS feed before I read the title and I thought it looked like Brits cat suit. You did such an amazing job recreating it on a nail.
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:16 pmThanks, Cass! I’m so happy to hear that that was the first thing you thought of when you saw the pic. Yay, success! 😀
Sunny says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:33 amBrooch the subject looks so damn good on you! Kinda reminds me of OPI Tickle my France-y. I’ve been lazing around in front of my computer all day, but will probably have to brave the crowd tomorrow. Hope you’re feeling/sleeping better Karen!
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:15 pmHi Sunny,
Good luck braving the crowds! It’s gonna be crazy!
And thanks for asking about the sleep situation… It’s been getting better.
Sunny says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:44 amPS: I can’t believe Tabs let you draped that over his neck (granted he looks displeased)! Mine would have started rolling around and trying to kick it off!
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:12 pmHe’s such a funny cat… he LOVES his accessories and will happily let me dress him up in necklaces, hats, etc. Most of the time he looks better than I do, haha! The evidence: https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/daily-photo/who-wore-it-better/
Sunny says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:46 pmI still think you look cuter to be honest! Tabs doesn’t have his camera face on for the photos lol
Kharina says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:59 amWhatever happened to Britteney Spears?
artemis says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:08 pmi just love that mani!!!!
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:11 pmThanks, Artemis. I think it’s my new fave glitter mani.
How’s your day going?
Kat says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:23 pmThis is so pretty and just perfect for me since I love Britney 😀 Brooch the Subject is such a nice nude colour!
Karen says
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:25 pmME TOO! Did you hear that she got engaged? I’m happy that she found someone. I always thought that she could do better than K-Fed.
Kat says
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:07 pmYes and I am so happy for her! Jason has been with her for a really long time and never left her or sold her out during her dark period. You can really tell that she is his princess and she is so comfortable and at ease when she’s with him – just look at the Criminal video, damn! The chemistry and raw sexual tension is killing me ;D
Selina says
December 22nd, 2011 at 1:17 pmMy favorite way to wear nude polishes is with an overcoat of gold glitter, but I’ve never tried putting silver glitter on top. I love it! This just added to the list of essie polishes I “need”, though 🙂
I was inspired by your previous glitter manis and decided to try a sponging technique for the first time yesterday. It looks far from professional but I’m enjoying my new red/gold glitter nails a lot, thanks to you. Keep the nail posts coming, they’re inspiring!
Stephanie says
December 22nd, 2011 at 1:20 pmNice combination! I love it!
Stephanie recently posted … Favorite China Glaze Polishes for Christmas
Nora says
December 22nd, 2011 at 1:40 pmThis is absolutely stunning. I mean seriously. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier look! Recently, I’ve been loving my dark red base coat with multi-colored glitter polish. I’ve confirmed today that glitter polish is *terrible* to remove, but…the glitter makes me so irrationally happy, it’s worth it!
Chris25 says
December 22nd, 2011 at 1:44 pmThis mani is such a cool idea. I’ve been tipping my nails with sparkles lately:
http://themakeuptrain.com/2011/12/19/notd-holiday-look-1/
I have to email you photos of Rocky and Jazz in their elf hats. Santa’s little helpers have been very busy!
Fiona Cole says
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:11 pmThese look beautiful!
How long do you think these will last for?
I have some shellac nails at the moment with are great but these ones you have look even better! x
Olfactory Obsessed says
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:15 pmI love this nail look. I’m not one for sparkly nails but this one is subtle and classy.
Olfactory Obsessed recently posted … O Christmas Tree: Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Winter Delice
Carolyn says
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:36 pmI absolutely love this look, Karen! Now I just need to locate a good nude polish in my stash!
Carolyn recently posted … Urban Decay 24/7 Liners
Tiffany says
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:41 pmI really love this. I’m going to try it tonight!
Marian says
December 22nd, 2011 at 5:18 pmNice! I would never have thought to use it that way! I just did my nails black with the opalescent Essie Luxeffects on top. Love it! These Essies are so much fun!
Ithfifi says
December 22nd, 2011 at 5:21 pmI saw someone do this recently with Brooch the subject and set in stone which immediately prompted me to order set in stone. Its so versatile, beautiful over my Zoya ‘yummy’ and wonderful over ‘Light as air’ by china glaze. I love how you added in the gold just to set it off even more. Its very Toxic-ish!
I saw your recent post about having a hot shower before trying to remove the polish.. MY GOD! It took me over 30 minutes to remove it from all finger nails, I’ve not even attempted my toe nails yet! Surely there has to be a brand who have a nail polish remover dedicated to removing glitter varnish? The funny thing was, the blue I originally applied came off even before the essie-set in stone wanted to even think about budging! Haha.
That said, I’m not put off! I love the sparkle and my niece who is now 1+ year loves to see the sparkle! 😀
May you, Tabs and El Hubbio have a wonderful Christmas! <3
Cherlene says
December 22nd, 2011 at 9:14 pmI really love how sophisticated this nail look is! I might just try it out–I think just adding a coat of fine gold shimmer could be wearable for everyday. 🙂 Happy Holidays!
Valerie says
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:53 pmKaren, just found your blog today because I was look for a review on the Buxom Lip Tarnishes. And I’m so glad I did!! You’re going to be on my bookmark list. 🙂
Sophie says
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:01 pmKaren, I love the glittery nail polish. How about doing it with a slightly darker nude shade, like Jazz by Essie, or even a light lilac like Neo-whimsical, also by Essie? Then the sparkly thing. Just something to ponder.
And I loooove Tabs. My cats would never tolerate necklaces, even pearls, silly cats. Although I did have one cat when I was little who ‘allowed’ me to dress him up in baby clothes!
Margaret says
December 23rd, 2011 at 12:14 amThat is an amazing combo. I’m definitely going to try this one out for myself 😀
peach_ says
December 23rd, 2011 at 1:09 amThis is so pretty, Karen! I love the inspiration behind it. I agree, it looks pretty just with the nude polish and first layer of glitter. Btw, I often feel like I’m ruled by my stomach, too!
peach_ recently posted … On MWS: Holiday Nails with Shu Uemura x Wong Kar Wai Festive Rouge Mini Nail Duo
polarbelle says
December 23rd, 2011 at 2:37 amyou have grabbed me and completely changed me in a 180 from what my Christmas mani was going to be. It is now a nude pink with silver bar glitter…yeah, I said bar glitter, it’s a holo and well, it’s just gonna rock from your inspiration.
polarbelle recently posted … Bobbi Brown Holiday 2011 Black Ruby Sparkle Eye Palette, Swatches, Pictures & Review
Jia Wun says
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:08 amI love this. You’re an inspiration to me!
Kejal says
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:46 amHi love these!! i like u in glittery mani mode! haha
Kejal recently posted … Happpy Holly-days!!!
Lesie says
December 23rd, 2011 at 7:53 amI’m currently wearing the essie set in stones over red and green nail polish. Its so festive and looks like Christmas lights or something! Thanks for the swatches of it cause then I knew 1 I had to have it and 2 it would be a good buy! I LOVE it!
Shannon says
December 23rd, 2011 at 8:13 pmI was at Ulta today and bought all 3 colors. Can’t wait to try it tomorrow!
Thanks for the idea:)
Swatch And Learn says
December 23rd, 2011 at 8:24 pmLooks great on you, Karen! Thanks for sharing it.
Haha, funny how your inspiration was Britney! 😛
Swatch And Learn recently posted … Nail Art Tutorial: Reindeer Nails (Rudolph Nails)
Kayleigh says
December 24th, 2011 at 11:00 pmLooove it!! I just did a mani that was inspired by your mixed metal manis actually!! They’re gorgeous, thanks for the idea! 😀
Nikki B. says
December 25th, 2011 at 1:01 pmHaha I did this same exact mani with Essie’s Brooch the Subject last week except I used a gold glitter from Forever21 and Sparktacular from Sephora by OPI (chunks of blue, silver, & red glitter) turned out really pretty and a lot of ppl said it was perfect for the holiday season. Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!
Chris @ Granola2Glam says
December 25th, 2011 at 2:26 pmI love this look! How long do your manicures last? I was frustrated with all the creative time/energy put into fun manicures, so I went the Gelish route and never looked back! Best part is you can still use your regular polishes with GElish:
http://granola2glam.blogspot.com/2011/12/merry-christmas-eve.html
M.A.Leal says
December 25th, 2011 at 5:40 pmThis is why I follow your site. So many wonderful ideas. So going to steal that nail look… 🙂
Devin B says
December 27th, 2011 at 1:48 amI am glad they’re doing the collection (loved the colors!), The colors look amazing and this looks like it will be the first ChG collection I buy everything from. Love!
Ami says
December 29th, 2011 at 9:12 pmI finally got a chance to try these nails today!! I left out the gold glitter and used OPI Crown Me Already instead of Essie, but it’s still so pretty. Thanks for the idea!