Bronze Goddess Nails!

There are very few perfumes I adore. Sensuous is one, Bronze Goddess Soleil another and of course Bronze Goddess Original (are you sensing a theme?) Finding myself in Arnott's last night, the mecca of all things beauty, I happened to pass the Estée Lauder stand and spritz myself with this baby. Bronze Goddess Original. It's only out for the Summer months and sells out fast so I was delighted to see it. 

Estée sez it's 'A sensuous, sun-drenched blend of Bergamot and Mandarin, cooled with Tahitian Gardenia Petals and Coconut, warmed with Amber, Sandalwood and Vetiver. All heat. All desire. All woman.'. I sez I could barely concentrate on what the gawjus Mark from Benefit was saying as I spent the entire chat sniffing myself! It's a sunshine holiday in a bottle. 

Anywho, the buidéal, to me, is fabulous, so fabulous that I want to bring it everywhere to show it off (ridiculous!). So I thought I'd Bronze Goddess up my nails instead (Not quite so ridiculous). This is actually an easier glitter gradient than the two I showed you previously. 

Here's HOW easy: 

You need just two polishes (Revlon Gold Coin and Inglot 207 for this look)

After a coat of clear basecoat apply your metallic polish to your nail tip

Apply a thin coat of your glitter, in a staggered motion from halfway up the nail bed

A swish of high shine top coat and that's you done!

Didn't I tell you they were peasy? Of course you can replicate this glitter gradient using any colour combination. Just be sure that both your tip colour and glitter are from the same colour palette, ja?

One more golden shot for the road

Tempted to give them a go? Or even Bronze Goddess a go? Lemme know!

2 Simple Ways to a Gorgeous Glitter Gradient

As a confirmed magpie, I was delighted when I gave the glitter gradient manicure a shot and it actually worked out. We all know I'm all about the easy when it comes to nails so I've put together two simple pictorials so you too can bling up your nails, as is your want.

The first look uses the sponge method for gradient. This, of course, can be used for any kind of gradient, you don't necessarily have to have glitter. Usually it's done with contrasting colours but I figured the pastel and bling were contrast enough.

1. My colours of choice were Nails Inc's Park Lane, Essence's No More More Drama and Bourjois Glitter. You'll need a make up sponge too. 
2. Apply two coats of your base colour and allow to dry. (You can use a quick dry top coat if you're a little impatient (like Moi). 
3. After rolling your glitter bottle in your hands, apply a thin coat to the edge of the sponge. You're aiming for more glitter than polish. 
4. Sponge onto the nail bed in light, fast touches so as the gradient won't be too thickly applied. 
5. Top your glitter with a coat of holographic glitter to add an even more sparkly dimension. 
6. After a swish of high shine top coat, run to the nearest window and marvel at the sparkle!
   
   
   
   The second look uses traditional glitter as can be found in any craft or 2 Eurit shop. I got this one in Hickey's Home Focus for €2 (They've a gorgeous range of iridescent colours).

1. You'll need your base colour, glitter and a piece of folded paper. I chose the new Indian Ocean from the Model's Own Beetlejuice collection with a slick of Essence No More Drama underneath for my base. 
2. Apply a thin coat of each colour as your base so as not to make it too thick. (or two of your chosen polish)
3. Unlike the first pictorial, add your glitter, over the folded paper, while your base is still wet. Tap the glitter lightly around the tip of your nail. 
4. Shake off the excess onto the paper so that you're left with a thin coat. 
5. Cyphen the excess glitter back into your container for future use. (waste not, want not, yo)
6. Using a high shine top coat, first apply to the base colour then apply liberally to the glitter to reveal iridescent gradient gorgeousness! (I used Essence's Gel Look top coat as the glitter can transfer slightly to the brush and I wasn't risking spoiling the more expensive Seche Vite) 

And that's it, two easy ways to a glitter gradient, have you tried this look before? Are you as distracted by the shiny as I am?

PS please don't let glitter removal put you off, I've found Cutex to be miraculous x