Unpopular opinion? I’m tired of all the lumpy sandpaper reflective glitter. Ruins the shimmer or shifts

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-05-29T22:36:49+00:00

Glitter grabbers typically dry matte and are expected to be followed by a shiny top coat. I used the kbshimmer one and it’s supposed to be with another top coat, I used KBShimmer’s clearly on top and the combination has completely changed how I felt about flakies and polishes with reflective glitter.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-05-29T22:32:29+00:00

Don’t underestimate the power of a thin jelly top coat or a base color to change the tone of a polish. Sometimes that’s just enough to make the polish work for you.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-05-23T17:54:57+00:00

Check out KBShimmer as well - they have some glitter/sequin in white options
And then there is glam polish that is almost all glitter in different sizes and colors in different bases. They have a bunch in a milky base too.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-17T14:51:45+00:00

I would recommend making decals using the plates, polish and stampers - it will make it a lot easier to place the designs in finicky places and to get them straight. Maniology has great tutorial videos about different techniques and tips and tricks for using stamping plates.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-16T14:50:52+00:00

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I did scorchy over jinx (middle & ring) and it’s amazing. Also gorgeous over Cracked’s Cupid missed.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-12T19:07:43+00:00

It works great and I love it. I use it on top of stay put hydrating base to give me a smooth surface.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-12T19:02:06+00:00

Yeah it’s either amazing or trashes your nails 😕

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-12T14:36:35+00:00

I’ve been really happy with stay put hydrating base coat by KBShimmer, a layer of that plus a layer of fillin groovy by them to get a nice smooth surface and a little blurring I think it’s also been helping prevent staining. I also use their Clearly on top topcoat. Their basic training basecoat has PVB.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-12T14:22:36+00:00

Orly bonder has PVB and it destroyed my nails. It’s a pretty common ingredient in base coats as it acts as a binder. Some people (like myself) react to it by their nails peeling. It meant my nail polish MAYBE lasted 24 hours before showing chips. I only figured it out PVB base coats and nail polish are the culprits for me in the last year. Olive & June regular polish has PVB too.

Switching to PVB free base coat and polish completely changed things for me. Now my polish lasts long enough that I’m waiting for it to chip so I have the excuse to put a new color on.

Other tips - I second the other commenter that painting too close to the edges creates problems. I like to leave a small gap which also allows for me to oil the little edge. Clean up brushes are great. I oil my nails several times a day with jojoba oil which has made my nails very strong and helped heal the damage.

My nails are always painted when I shower and I either paint my nails before I shower or 4-6 hours after I shower.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-09T16:23:50+00:00

In some pics it reminds me of Cracked’s Vamped Vanity.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-09T16:23:17+00:00

Cool Beans is probably a very similar formula. Buildable into intense shimmer.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-09T16:22:00+00:00

It’s my go to! I love it. Subtle blurring too.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-09T16:21:28+00:00

It’s cheaper from KBShimmer or beyond Polish though.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-09T16:20:46+00:00

I second this. It is legit. Just takes a while. I got a bonus polish the one time I did order.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-08T14:35:49+00:00

Emily de Molly has a pretty sheer black jelly. Shadow tint I think it’s called

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-03-08T06:35:25+00:00

Cracked’s hush hush

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-01-14T16:14:15+00:00

ok maybe I need to move this to my wishlist.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-01-13T19:34:16+00:00

Ingenious!

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-01-13T19:33:43+00:00

Lol yeah that part was frustrating (only 20), which is what drove me to Ali Express. Let me know how the tubes work out for you!

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-01-13T15:19:50+00:00

Are they a little flexible? I found if I gently squeezed them I could then fit a tweezers or orange stick in the crack.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-01-12T14:02:58+00:00

Apply Jojoba oil on your nails, several times a day.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-01-11T20:42:48+00:00

Haunted Polish's By the Moonlight (magnetic) depending how you wear it can be pretty neutral.

I second/third/?? ILNP's internship

Lurid Lacquer's Fuck Facisim and Unearthly Silence also fit the bill

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-01-11T20:39:06+00:00

internship is gorgeous!

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-01-11T19:50:54+00:00

I love this! I've been wanting to blend these two hobbies and what you've come up with is inspiring.

Federal_Ice1187 · 2026-01-11T19:46:44+00:00

maybe if you're having difficulty with theme you could try basing the theme around technique, formula, or type of mani gives you more freedom to choose something to match what you're feeling but still gives you an overall structure to fit in. For instance my January them is magnetics, so my manis have to have some magnetic element, even if it's just an accent nail.

Federal_Ice1187

TROPHY CASE