How to Make DIY Halloween Nail Polish with Glitter

Halloween nail polish is a fun way to get in the mood for the spooky season. DIY nail polish colors are incredibly easy to make, and there are countless ways to get creative with this project! There might be tons of nail polish colors to choose from at the store, but it’s not always possible to find the exact shade you’re looking for. This is especially true if you’re looking for holiday nail polish – such as fun nail polish for Halloween.

With just a little glitter and some clear nail polish, it’s easy to create your own custom color for your nails. Today we’re going to show you how to make Halloween nail polish at home. This glitter nail polish project takes just 5 minutes to make and you only need a few simple supplies.

We’re going to demonstrate two fun variations. The first is made with clear nail polish as a base, and the second is made with spooky black nail polish. However, you can choose any color combination you want to make this project your own. With a huge rainbow of glitter and mica powders available, the creative possibilities are endless.

Love glitter? Check out more fun things you can do with glitter!

Supplies & Ingredients

1 bottle of clear nail polish and/or 1 bottle of black nail polish
Micro scoops
Glitter and mica of your choice – for this project, we used the following:
- Tangerine Glitter
- Electric Orange Glitter
- Razzamatazz Glitter
- Grape Purple Mica
Small piece of paper and tape for making a funnel

Find hundreds of mica & glitter colors to choose from on our store NorthWoodCandleSupply.com

Tips for Choosing Nail Polish

You might find it easier to work with a partially-used bottle of nail polish. The glitter doesn’t take up too much space, but it is easier to shake up if there’s a bit of room in the bottle. We also recommend looking for nail polish that has a mixing ball in the bottle. A metal mixing ball really helps when shaking the nail polish. You can also purchase stainless steel mixing balls separately and add them to the bottle.

Any nail polish will work for this project. However, if you use standard nail polish, you will need to shake the bottles every time you use the polish. Glitter and mica can settle to the bottom of the bottle in regular nail polish. Because the glitter tends to sink, it may help to store the bottle on its side to reduce the amount of shaking required.

If you are serious about making DIY nail polish, we’d recommend getting a nail polish suspension base. These bases are specifically designed for holding glitter and other additives. They have a thicker consistency that keeps the glitter from sinking, reducing the need to shake the bottle.

However, if you can’t get your hands on a suspension base, I have found that gel nail polish works better than standard nail polish for suspending glitter. Gel nail polish can be a bit more expensive, but the results might be more what you’re looking for.

Bonus tip: You can also add glitter and mica to a store-bought glitter nail polish to make it your own! Glitter nail polishes at the store are made with a suspension base that holds the glitter in place. By adding your own colors of glitter and mica, you can take a standard glitter nail polish to the next level.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Lay out a piece of paper to work on. This will make cleanup easier.
Next, make a funnel out of a piece of paper by rolling it into a cone shape and taping the edge.
Open the nail polish and set the cap aside. Place the paper funnel in the bottle.
Use a micro scoop to add glitter and/or mica to the bottle. Anywhere from 6-12 scoops of mica and glitter will look great.
Finally, put the lid back on and shake the bottle. After checking the color, you can add more glitter if you want.

Like this project? You might also enjoy our Cute Pumpkin Soap Recipe!

Tips for Applying Glitter Nail Polish

You can apply glitter nail polish like any other type of nail polish. However, the glitter will spread out in a thin layer with this method. Depending on the look you’re going for, this might be exactly what you want.

If you want a thick layer of glitter, however, the best way is to apply the nail polish with a sponge. Simply paint a little glitter nail polish on the sponge and dab it onto your nails. The sponge will deposit the glitter in a layer that’s nice and shimmery without being too thick. For a smooth finish, paint on a layer of clear top coat once the glitter dries.

Another method is to dip your nails into glitter once you have put on nail polish rather than mixing the glitter into the nail polish. To do this technique, simply paint your nails with regular nail polish and dip them into the container of glitter. Gently tap off any excess. Once the nail polish dries, put on a clear coat of nail polish to protect the glitter.

With any of these methods, it’s recommended that you use manicure tape or latex to keep the nail polish from getting on your skin. Glitter nail polish can be difficult to remove from your skin.