Saturday, May 24, 2014

Party Like a Rockstar

Whenever I have the chance to travel back to Seattle, I always make sure to book an appointment with London, my favorite manicurist at Gene Juarez, to get the Shellac Rockstar manicure. I not only  love the sparkle that the Rockstar manicure provides, but I also appreciate the long lasting component of the Shellac gel. Like jewelry for my fingernails, I am always a little sad when I have to remove them and put on a basic coat of polish when I fly back to San Francisco. I have yet to find a salon in the city that provides the Rockstar option that I desire, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. Visiting my local Paper Source, I invested in some Martha Stewart glitter to bring back with me. Equipped with glitter, a concealer brush, and some polish, I went to work and created my very own Rockstar manicure! While it doesn't provide the lasting component of a Shellac, it does provide me with the ability to switch colors more often! If you are looking to add a touch of sparkle to your nails, take a stab at this diy version of the Rockstar manicure at half the price you would pay at a salon! I've listed everything you will need below as well as steps for how to achieve the look! In addition, I have a special giveaway as well that you can find out about at the end of the post! Enjoy!

DIY Rockstar Manicure

What You Will Need:
-Fine glitter (I love the Martha Stewart glitters)
-Flat makeup brush (concealer brushes work great as do fan brushes)
-Nail polish 
-Strong top coat


Martha Stewart Fine Glitter Set $23.00 (Jo-Ann Fabrics)


Sonia Kashuk Concealer Brush $5.99 (Target)


Martha Stewart Fine Glitter in Sterling
Maybelline Color Show in Pedal to the Metal $4.29 (CVS)
Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat $5.99 (Ulta)

How to Achieve the Look


After painting on a thin layer of the base color, paint on one layer of the top coat. Sprinkle on some glitter making sure that the entire nail is covered. Make sure you have a paper towel or tissue underneath to catch the excess glitter. It will make for an easier cleanup at the end.


Using the concealer brush, cleanup any remaining glitter around the edges of the nail. There will be glitter everywhere, so this brush will help to sweep away the loose glitter.



Finish off your manicure with several layers of the top coat. I used about four layers on each hand for a smooth finish.
Once dry, you are ready to go. Enjoy the sparkle!

Special Giveaway

I've had my eye on this Celine luggage tote for a while now! I figured this adorable phone jack charm will keep me satisfied in the meantime. Win your own version of this classic handbag and add some cuteness to your phone!


How to enter:
1. Be a fan of The Retail Therapy Diaries on Facebook (Click here)
2. Share your favorite summer trend on the page wall
3. That's it!

Giveaway ends on June 21, 2014

Inspired? Look for these items here: