My one nail polish guilty pleasure is glitter top coat. I am a firm believer that a sprinkle of glitter on your nails will make any nail polish look better. In total I have 4 drawers filled with nail polish and one of them is completely devoted to glitter top coats. I have anything and everything in between. Whether I’m looking for a matte neon top coat, or a sparkly holographic flaky, I can pick and choose whatever tickles my fancy. But as per usual, there are a few that have stood the test of time and stand out above all others. This is them.
Most of these top coats are no longer on sale as they have since been discontinued or were limited edition. I believe only the L’Oreal one I’m showing you today is still available. However, when it comes to my glitter top coats, these are the ones I reach for the most and so I thought I’d share.
L’Oreal Color Riche 916 Confettis
Let’s start off with this matte ‘glitter’. How else would you describe this? In fashion polka dots is one of my favorite prints and in nail polish I find that this gives off a similar effect. I love pairing this with pale pastels, but it also works nicely over bright pinks, greens, blues and nudes. It can amp up any shade because of it’s black and white combo. This is a great start if you would like to get into glitter, or if you feel it’s not for you. The particles aren’t glittery and shiny, hence this would make a great glitter noob’s first taste.
Essence Nail Art Special Effect Topper 08 Night in Vegas
Flaky top coats are cult classics in the world of nail polish. But a good one can be hard to come by. They are best worn over darker shades as that will show the effect best. However, I love topping this over a nude or a pink for a bit of added interest. Over a nude it is a lot more subtle and the swatch here doesn’t do it any justice. I compared it ages ago to a similar one I have by Catrice, but so far this Essence one is the best one I have found.
Catrice Million StylesE$ffect Top Coat Million Dollar Baby
Talking of Catrice, a few years ago they launced a limited edition top coat line and I managed to get my hands on pretty much every shade at the time. The one I reach for the most though, is this silver and gold glittery extravaganza. I especially like to wear this in the winter months now. This goes very well over dark blues, but it also suits greens, pinks and again: nudes. HEMA do a similar one by now, so if you’re located in The Netherlands you can still get your hands on a product that is roughly the same thing.
Essence Nail Art Twins Glitter Topper 06 Edward
For this one we have to travel back in time. Back to the time when Essence stocked their Nail Art Twins line: a line of nail polish with a creamy base coat and an accompanying glittery top coat, aptly named after couples from books. I originally bought the creamy version to go with this (and yes, that one was called Bella) but that has since long gone. Finding a green topcoat however, isn’t an easy thing and so this has survived any stash clear up I have had in the past 5 years or so. Whenever I feel a nail look calls for a green top coat, I bring this puppy out and it works every single time.
H&M Nail Polish Jo Is In The House
Apart from flakies, holographic glitter topcoats are also a ‘thing’ for any nail polish lover. They are not only super sparkly, but also turn your nails into one big disco party due to the rainbow range of colors that is part of this glitter. The best one I’ve found? This cheap one by H&M. I am not sure whether they still do it, but if you can still find it you need this in your life. It goes on nicely in roughly 2 coats and sparkles like there is no tomorrow. I have included a picture that is out of focus, so you can see the pretty sparkle and colors coming through.
If you had to pick one top coat, what would it be?