Find the best glitter nail polish for your style. 7 easy picks from $9 to $20, with the look, coverage and how to wear each one.
If you want your nails to sparkle every time they catch the light, you are in the right place. I love a little glitter too — the kind that can make even a simple manicure feel instantly more glamorous.
And glitter does not have to mean one look. You can go for tiny twinkling shimmer, a sheer wash of sparkle, or full-on glitter that makes your nails the star of the outfit.
We picked 7 of the best glitter nail polish shades for exactly that. From gold and silver to ruby red and mermaid sparkle, there is something here for every kind of glitter mood.
Some are made for layering over your favorite color, while others bring enough sparkle to shine all on their own. Think party nails, date-night sparkle, holiday glam, or simply a little shine on an ordinary day. Because sometimes your nails deserve to dress up too.
Best Glitter Nail Polish at a Glance
| Polish | Best for | Look | Price |
| Zoya Nahla | Layering over any color | Sheer, gold glitter | About $12 |
| Essie Set In Stones | A budget silver topper | Silver flecks, builds up | About $9 |
| Essie A Cut Above | A pop of pink | Translucent pink flecks | About $10 |
| Morgan Taylor Rare As Rubies | Sparkle in one coat | Opaque red, chunky glitter | About $11 |
| Deborah Lippmann Mermaid’s Dream | A shifting turquoise | Light turquoise, tiny flecks | About $20 |
| Habit Space Cadet Blue | A cleaner formula | Navy, large shimmer | About $18 |
| OPI Gliterally Shimmer | Soft sparkle | Sheer shimmer, gold glitter | About $12 |
The 7 Best Glitter Nail Polishes
1. Zoya Nahla | Best Overall
Nahla is a warm champagne gold. The polish is clear with gold glitter floating in it, so it works as a topper. Put it over a nude for a soft glow, or over a deep color for party sparkle. If you want just one, this is the best glitter nail polish to start with.
Look: Sheer topcoat with gold glitter | Approx. price: $12 | Best for: Layering over nude, white, navy or emerald | Keep in mind: It is sheer, so wear it over a color for the full effect
2. Essie Luxeffects Set In Stones | Best Budget Silver
This is a silver glitter with round flecks. It gives you a disco ball effect for about $9. For a fuller look, paint it over a white or silver base. Use it for winter, New Year’s Eve or any night out.
Look: Silver flecks that build up | Approx. price: $9 | Best for: A silver glitter look on a small budget | Keep in mind: Needs a few coats, or a white or chrome base, to look solid
3. Essie Luxeffects A Cut Above | Best Pink Topper
A Cut Above is a hot pink glitter with a clear base. Layer it over a nude and the pink really pops. It is a fun pick if you like bright color, and it is easy on the wallet.
Look: Hot pink flecks in a see through base | Approx. price: $10 | Best for: Adding pink sparkle over nude | Keep in mind: Translucent, so layer it for the best color
4. Morgan Taylor Rare As Rubies | Best One Coat Sparkle
Most glitter polishes need layers. This one is a ruby red packed with color, and experts say it needs just one coat. If you want sparkle without the work, start here. It is also lovely for the holidays.
Look: Ruby red with chunky glitter flecks | Approx. price: $11 | Best for: Full coverage with little effort | Keep in mind: Chunky flecks can feel bumpy, so seal with a top coat
5. Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Mermaid’s Dream | Best Color Shift
Mermaid’s Dream is a pale turquoise with tiny iridescent flecks. Depending on the light, it can look more green or more blue. It is the priciest on our list, but it is the most unique too. Pick it if you love a mermaid look.
Look: Light turquoise with small iridescent flecks | Approx. price: $20 | Best for: A shimmer that changes in the light | Keep in mind: Two coats are recommended, and it costs more than the others
6. Habit Cosmetics Space Cadet Blue | Best Non Toxic
Space Cadet Blue is a navy with big, shiny flecks. The base is see through, so it looks best layered over a matching navy. Habit sells it as a non toxic polish, which is a nice bonus if you care about ingredients.
Look: Navy with large shimmer flecks | Approx. price: $18 | Best for: Anyone who wants a non toxic formula | Keep in mind: The base is translucent, so layer it over navy for full color
7. OPI Gliterally Shimmer | Best Soft, Sheer Sparkle
If chunky glitter feels like too much, try this one. It is sheer with a soft shimmer and a little gold glitter. One editor calls it long wearing. Wear it alone for a light glow, or over a color to dress it up.
Look: Sheer iridescent shimmer with gold glitter | Approx. price: About $12 | Best for: A light, everyday sparkle | Keep in mind: Sheer, so it adds shine rather than bold color
Types of Glitter Nail Polish
Before you pick the best glitter nail polish, it helps to know what finish you want.
Sheer toppers have a clear or sheer base and add sparkle over another color. Zoya Nahla and Essie A Cut Above work well for layering.
Full-coverage glitter gives you stronger color and sparkle on its own. Morgan Taylor Rare As Rubies is our bold red-glitter pick.
Shimmer polish uses finer sparkle for a softer finish. OPI Gliterally Shimmer is the subtle option in our lineup.
Fine glitter usually looks smoother, while larger glitter pieces create a bolder, more textured finish.
How to Choose the Best Glitter Nail Polish for You
Think about how you actually want to wear your glitter.
Want bold sparkle and color together? Try Morgan Taylor Rare As Rubies.
Want to layer glitter over another polish? Zoya Nahla or Essie A Cut Above makes more sense.
Prefer soft, wearable shimmer? OPI Gliterally Shimmer gives you a more subtle effect.
Want something colorful and different? Deborah Lippmann Mermaid’s Dream combines an aqua base with multidimensional sparkle.
You can also layer glitter over red for a completely different look. See our best red nail polish picks for shades to try underneath.
How to Make Glitter Polish Smooth and Easier to Remove
Start with a base coat, then apply glitter in thin layers. If you want more sparkle in one area, gently dab the brush there instead of adding a thick coat everywhere.
Finish with a glossy top coat. This helps smooth the texture, especially with chunkier glitter.
For removal, hold a remover-soaked cotton pad against the nail before wiping instead of aggressively scraping the glitter away. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends moisturizing your nails after removing polish, since nail polish remover can be drying.
Glitter Nail Ideas to Try With Your New Polish
Once you find your best glitter nail polish, you have more options than a full glitter manicure. Try one glitter accent nail, glitter over a solid color, sparkly tips, or glitter across every nail when you want maximum shine.
A topper such as Zoya Nahla also lets you change the look simply by switching the polish underneath it.
Best Glitter Nail Polish FAQ
What is the best glitter nail polish for beginners?
Morgan Taylor Rare As Rubies is a good start because one coat gives full color and sparkle. Zoya Nahla is also easy, since you just layer it over a color you already like.
How do I stop glitter polish from feeling rough?
Seal it with a top coat. One or two thin coats of top coat fill the gaps between the glitter and make the nail feel smooth.
How many coats of glitter polish do I need?
It depends on the type. A full coverage glitter like Rare As Rubies may need only one. Sheer toppers like Zoya Nahla or Essie A Cut Above look best layered over a color.
Can I wear glitter polish on its own?
Yes, if it has a colored base. Sheer toppers look thin alone, so paint them over a color or a nude for the full effect.
How do I remove glitter nail polish without ruining my nails?
Use the foil method. Place a remover soaked cotton pad on each nail, wrap it in foil and wait about ten minutes. Then wipe the polish away instead of scrubbing.
Does glitter polish chip faster?
Chunky flecks can lift at the edges. A base coat, a top coat and a capped free edge help it stay put.
Final Thoughts
The best glitter nail polish is the one that makes you smile when you look at your hands. Start with a topper if you are new to glitter, then try a bolder one once you know what you like.
Which sparkle are you trying first? Tell us in the comments.