It seems as if every small child goes through a fairytale phase. What’s not to love about a universe full of princesses, princes, mythical creatures, monsters, and fairies?
The fairy dust nails trend captures the whimsical spirit of the fairytale world that so many of us loved as kids, but in an elevated, more grown-up fashion. Fairy dust nails are shimmering, glittery, and absolutely magical.
Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about this captivating trend.
What is Fairy Dust?
Before we delve into details, let’s get one thing straight: what is fairy dust?
It’s pretty much exactly what you’d imagine when you hear those words. It’s a shimmering, sparkling glitter that you add to a base coat of nail polish to produce a fairy-esque effect.
Fairy dust comes in any color you could imagine, and you can apply it over any shade. It’s also available in a variety of sizes. You can find fairy dust with very small pieces of glitter that look similar to actual dust, as well as chunkier glitter with more pronounced pieces.
No matter the color or texture, all fairy dust has a characteristic shimmering, whimsical look.
Anyone who pays any attention to the fashion world will have noticed the fairy dust nail trend.
Khloé Kardashian popularized this look back in October 2019, when the salon she’d visited posted a video of her manicure on Instagram.
This manicure is a quintessential example of the fairy dust look. Khloé’s silvery nails have just a hint of light purple, and they are finished with a coat of fine glitter on top. So pretty!
Overall, this trend is perfect for anyone who loves the dreamy, whimsical vibe of shimmering glitter. However, since fairy dust comes in so many colors and textures, anyone can find the perfect combination that suits their style and aesthetic.
How To Apply Fairy Dust
Now, if you’re considering hopping on the fairy dust trend, you’re in luck: it’s actually a super easy look to achieve.
Maybe you’re a professional nail technician who’s looking to learn some new skills and perfect this look. Or, perhaps you’re an amateur artist hoping to achieve an insta-worthy fairy dust manicure at home. Either way, applying fairy dust should be a breeze.
First things first, you need to pick out your base color. Fairy dust looks amazing on lighter shades, like pastels, silver, and white. It can also be worn on darker colors, too, but it will give off a totally different effect. Ultimately, it just depends on personal preference.
Once you’ve picked a shade, it’s time to start painting. Most fairy dust glitters work with both gel polish and regular polish.
If you’re using regular polish, all you have to do is take some of the glitter on one of your fingertips, and rub it over the polish when it’s almost dry (but still slightly sticky or tacky). Cover the entire nail evenly, and repeat. When you’ve completed the process, add a topcoat.
Be sure to work quickly—you don’t want the polish to dry completely before you’ve applied the fairy dust.
For gel, the process is quite similar. Just apply the fairy dust over cured gel polish when it’s still tacky. Again, be sure to give each nail an even coating. Then, finish it off with a topcoat.
There you have it: the most basic method for applying fairy dust. The finished product should look something like Khloé’s nails from the post above—glittery and gorgeous!
Our Favorite Ways to Wear Fairy Dust
So, now you know the fundamentals of how to achieve a perfect fairy-dust look. But why stop there?
All the fairy-dust fanatics out there are in luck. There are tons of other ways to harness the magic of fairy dust and create unique, shimmering designs.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to rock the fairy dust trend:
Sparkling Gold Over Clear Polish
Our first fairy-dust look takes inspiration from none other than Anne Hathaway.
As we mentioned above, Khloé Kardashian sparked a wave of love for fairy dust when she showed off her silvery manicure in 2019. However, celebs have actually been sporting the fairy dust look for years. Anne brandished a gold fairy dust manicure at the Critics’ Choice Awards in 2013.
This look was simple, understated, and elegant—perfect for the highbrow event she was attending. The gold glitter has just the right amount of shine, and it compliments her dress flawlessly.
If you are hoping to recreate this design at home, all you need is some clear nail polish and gold fairy dust glitter. Apply the clear coat first. Then, starting at the bottom of the nail, move up the nail as you add the gold fairy dust.
To mimic Anne’s look, you should taper off the glitter as you get close to the top of each nail.
There you have it—an easy, straightforward nail design that is perfect for formal gatherings and classy parties.
Pink and Gold for New Year’s Eve
The captivating shimmer of fairy dust nails makes the trend ideal for New Year’s Eve. Glitter is a staple for NYE, so it makes perfect sense to incorporate it into your NYE manicure.
If you’re looking to put a fun twist on basic fairy dust nails, consider this pink and gold look. Firstly, apply a base coat of the pink polish of your choice. Then, using nail tape, form a semicircle at the bottom of each nail. Fill in each semicircle with gold fairy dust, and your manicure is complete.
The best part about this design is its versatility. Even though it’s perfect for New Year’s Eve, it also works for any number of holidays and celebrations. And, if you’re not a fan of pink, you could always swap out the base coat for a different color.
Gold Glitter for St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that basically requires celebrators to dress on theme, and that theme is green.
This holiday is all about dressing in green from head to toe, sporting shamrocks and the Irish flag. No St. Patrick’s Day ensemble is complete without a green manicure.
Our suggestion for this special day is to keep it simple and subtle. To achieve the perfect St. Patty’s Day nails, apply a dark green base coat. Then, when your polish is close to dry, apply some gold fairy dust on each nail.
The result is a festive manicure that evokes images of a leprechaun’s gold. We love that this style is on-theme for the holiday without being too over-the-top. You could wear these nails to work, to the pub, or to a St. Patrick’s Day party.
Simple Nail Art Over Fairy Dust
Adding nail art over your fairy-dust nails is a lovely way to express yourself and make your manicure stand out.
To spice up your fairy-dust look, consider adding some simple art to your nails. For this style, all you have to do is paint your nails with a base coat and then add some decals, like hearts or stars, with another color. You could add art to every nail or just a few—it’s up to you.
Once you’re satisfied with whatever nail art you’ve created, wait until your nails are almost dry. Then, apply an even coating of fairy dust over each nail.
Chunky Jewels
This look is another one of our absolute favorite ways to style fairy dust nails.
To tackle this design, first, you will need to pick out your color scheme. Choose a base coat, glitter, and a bunch of jewels decals.
Then, apply your polish and fairy dust as you normally would. Once your nails are completely dry, you can add the jewels. Place them along the bottom of each nail with a few jutting upwards in the middle. And you’re done!
This style is certain to make an impression.
Ombre Fairy Dust Nails
Finally, if you want to elevate your standard ombre nails, consider adding a layer of fairy dust on top. The ombre pattern and shimmering fairy dust will work together in perfect harmony to create a mesmerizing, unforgettable look.
Simply add the fairy dust of your choice to ombre nails, and you’ll be good to go.
Concluding Thoughts on the Fairy Dust Trend
As you can tell, the fairy dust nails trend allows for endless creativity and freedom. There are so many ways to incorporate fairy dust into nail art. No matter how you use fairy dust, it always looks gorgeous. Hopefully, this trend is here to stay.
If you want to join in on the fairy dust trend, visit our online shop for all the supplies you could possibly need.
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