# Art Project using Nail Polish

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-project-using-nail-polish/657630>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 6, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-project-using-nail-polish/657630 "2013-05-06T16:50:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-project-using-nail-polish/657630/1 "2013-05-06T16:50:59Z")

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I’m working on a painting project that could use a little shimmer… I want to achieve something similar to what you can get from pearlescent nail polish (NOT chunky glitter, but that swirly metallic tint), but I think nail polish dries way too quickly to use on something that’s 20" x 20". Are there better options to achieve this look?

Thanks for the suggestions!

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**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-project-using-nail-polish/657630/2 "2013-05-06T17:05:05Z")

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I know you can buy superfine glitter (which causes that effect) from different places. There’s a place called Coastal Scents that sells it in large quantities for low prices. I don’t know how it would do over paint, I would order a sample and test it first. But that’s my best advice.

Good luck!

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**Author:** ![Euryphaessa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Euryphaessa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euryphaessa)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-project-using-nail-polish/657630/3 "2013-05-06T17:07:33Z")

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You can buy pearlescent acrylic craft paint. [Here’s](http://www.michaels.com/Pearl-Acrylic-Craft-Paint/cp0472,default,pd.html) an option from Martha Stewart. I think I’ve seen pearlescent glaze somewhere, if you just want a coat on top of existing artwork.

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**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-project-using-nail-polish/657630/4 "2013-05-06T18:58:00Z")

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Glimmer Mist is a spray that you can add on top of color or alone that will add shimmer. You can use it as a paint if you want an even coat.

For paints you can use Radiant Pearls or Twinkling H2Os. Both come in small pots, so you might need a few pots to cover a large area.

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**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/art-project-using-nail-polish/657630/5 "2013-05-06T19:12:20Z")

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Depending on what you’re painting, Lumiere paints come in a variety of pearlescent colors.

Another thing you might play with is a product called Perfect Pearls. When I searched it to make sure I had the name right, I discovered you can get it in [mist form](http://rangerink.com/?product=perfect-pearls%E2%84%A2-mists).