Elevate your outfit with the latest sensation in nail art – broken-glass nails. These ornate designs are perfect for making a statement, just like accessorizing with jewelry or other fashion pieces. But fear not, the term ‘broken-glass’ is a bit misleading. No actual shards of glass are involved (thankfully!). Instead, skilled nail artists use colorful and pearlescent cellophane to create an illusion that mimics the look of broken glass. The result is nothing short of breathtaking.
Check out these 31 stunning examples for inspiration:
Black & Green Design
For maximum impact from your broken-glass nails, experiment with combining contrasting colors. The green in this design really pops against the darker black backdrop, whether it’s used as an accent on the tips or for a full nail effect. With black being such a versatile base color, you can easily swap out the broken-glass design for a different hue once you have that initial coat applied. This versatility makes it simple to create a unique and eye-catching look.
Broken Glass Effect Nails
To give your broken-glass nails a fresh makeover, try layering small pieces of shimmering cellophane to achieve the perfect amount of texture and dimension. Continue adding layers until you’ve reached the desired level of visual interest, then seal everything in place with a topcoat to create a smooth, glossy finish.
Pink Sparkly Nails + ‘Barely There’ Shattered Glass
A versatile nail design that requires minimal effort to create, making it suitable for all. While glittering gems and metallic foils may steal the show, the true beauty lies in the understated palette of broken-glass hues on a pink or natural-colored base. As you take a closer look, the subtle nuances reveal themselves, creating a stunning yet demure design perfect for those seeking a sophisticated yet effortless look.
Toe Nail Design
Consider applying this nail art technique to your toes, as it’s equally stunning. While it may be more challenging to achieve perfection on a smaller surface area, you can simplify the process by dedicating the largest toenail to feature status and letting your creativity shine on that one – the rest of the toe can be left in a more subtle state.
Half-Moon Broken Glass Nails
The half-moon nail look has been a staple for some time now, and what’s more, it pairs beautifully with the trendy broken-glass nails. What’s even better is that it’s incredibly easy to achieve. To create this look, flip the nail forms around and use them to cover the base of your nail in a half-moon shape, leaving the tip neutral. This technique effectively gives you a reverse manicure effect.
Once you’ve achieved this, simply add your broken-glass design on top, and you’ll be enjoying two major nail trends in one go!
Broken Glass Nails + Lots of Jewellery = Perfect Look
When making a statement with your nail art, why not take it to the next level by pairing those eye-catching, broken-glass nails with an abundance of jewelry? Rings are particularly trendy at the moment, so don’t be afraid to layer them up or add oversized pieces. The result is a funky and fabulous look that exudes confidence and personality.
Golden Nail Design
The broken-glass effect on painted nails is often associated with darker base coats, but we’re showing that simplicity can be just as stunning. Take this look, for example, where gold shards are placed atop nude nails. This approach eliminates the need to worry about lengthy drying times between applications – simply apply a clear base coat to your nude nails before adding the broken-glass pieces and top it off with a super-shiny finish.
Broken Glass + Negative Space Mani
The concept of negative space manicures has gained immense popularity in recent seasons, with creative and innovative ways to modify it emerging continuously. One such example is this striking broken-glass design, which showcases the versatility of this trend. To recreate a similar look, simply apply nail foils or tape to create straight lines on your nails, leaving some areas bare as seen here.
This modern twist adds an edgy touch to an otherwise unassuming manicure and proves that one doesn’t need excessively long talons to stay on top of the latest trends.
Classy & Elegant Design
Embracing individuality in nail art, we’re excited to showcase a stunning example of mismatched masterpieces. The key to pulling off this sophisticated look lies in the strategic placement of a single nail gem on nude nails, preventing them from appearing dull and uninspired. The pièce de résistance is the judicious application of gold broken-glass shards to select nails, ensuring that all eyes will be drawn to your hands for their beauty and uniqueness.
Minimal Design
If you’re not fond of intricate nail designs, this is a fantastic option that still allows for some added flair – and the gold nail gems are completely optional, so feel free to skip them if you prefer. One of the best things about this look is its versatility; as demonstrated on the thumb, you can create a ‘gem’ effect using broken glass pieces, starting with a larger piece in the center and gradually decreasing in size towards the edges.
Alternatively, you could opt for thin, triangular shards that will actually help to elongate your nail – it’s all about creating a sense of visual interest without going overboard.
Accent Nail
To give this unique look a try at home, consider starting with just one nail instead of tackling all of them simultaneously. While attempting to recreate the design without prior experience may be challenging, remember that practice often makes perfect. Start by picking a single nail and having fun with it – add a few more cellophane or broken-glass pieces and experiment to your heart’s content.
The beauty of this approach lies in its low-stakes nature: if you don’t like how it turns out, you can simply remove the design and try again. The freedom to explore and learn without committing to an entire manicure is a great way to build confidence and develop your skills.
Golden Glitter + Broken Glass Mani
Why settle for just one design when you can mix and match? The combination of gold glitter and broken-glass applied to a few nails adds a touch of glamour and dimensionality to the look. Plus, with shorter nails, you have more opportunities to experiment and switch things up. For instance, cutting the nail in half provides multiple options for styling, allowing you to create a unique design that’s all your own.
Broken Glass & Golden Studs Mani
Elevate your everyday look with the simplicity of nail embellishments! By incorporating subtle accents and focal points, even the most free-spirited designs can be tamed. The key is to strike a balance – don’t feel compelled to adorn every nail, as this would result in an overly fussy appearance. Instead, strategically place one or two statement nails amidst a more understated backdrop for a stylishly polished look.
So sharp…
Transforming broken glass into a unique nail design, why not make your nails sharp? To achieve this look, first cut the broken glass into shards and slivers. Once prepared, apply these asymmetrical pieces to your nail using foils or tape. This method adds an extra layer of flair to traditional negative space designs, creating a one-of-a-kind look that’s sure to turn heads.
Perfect Design for Short Nails
Elevate your nail art game by adding a striking black tip and half-moon design to your manicure. Simply use a black nail art pen or regular black polish to create the desired shape, then apply your silvery or pearlescent broken-glass topcoat to the selected color of your choice. For added visual interest, opt for a nude or shimmery pink or pastel base color before finishing with the glass-like effect. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different combinations!
As you showcase your artistic skills on social media, remember to tag us @unistella_by_ek_lab with #StayGlam for a chance to be featured.
Dark Base + Golden Glass
When you work with broken-glass pieces like these, you’re not limited to just one visual effect. Depending on the lighting, the same piece can take on a completely new appearance. For instance, this particular gold-like fragment can appear as a rich golden hue that complements the deep colours beneath it. However, under different lighting conditions, the shards can shift towards a greenish tint. This flexibility in colour can be especially striking when paired with an unexpected base coat.
To ensure your manicure looks great in any light, make sure to view it from different angles and consider how the broken-glass pieces will interact with their surroundings.
The Glass Pedicure
For those who want to achieve a broken-glass nail design on their toenails, it’s crucial to start with tiny pieces of glitter or nail polish. This will allow you to build up the desired look without overwhelming the small nail surface. While layered designs can be stunning on longer nails, the key is to begin with small, delicate sections when working with smaller toenails.
In fact, even with just two small sections on each toe, the broken-glass effect can still be achieved and looks equally impressive.
Mix it Up with Solid Polish
For those looking to make a statement with their nail art, solid blocks of color can be a great way to grab attention. This design’s various shades of green are particularly effective at complementing the popular mermaid hair trend, and the simplicity of the look makes it easily replicable. To take it up a notch, consider pairing the darker green or black background with shards of broken-glass effect for added visual interest.
Alternatively, you could add some sparkle to the brighter green nails for a party-perfect look. If fluorescent green is too bold, substituting it with a pastel green achieves a similar eye-catching effect.
Broken Glass Stiletto Nails
The latest nail trends have seen a surge in popularity of stiletto and broken-glass designs. But what happens when you combine these two styles? The result is the stunning stiletto-broken-glass nail look! If you’re short on time or want to extend the life of your salon-fresh nails, consider using a glass-effect topcoat to cover minor chips and imperfections. This technique can also be used to bridge the gap between appointments by applying it to areas where acrylic or gel nails need in-fills.
The half-moon effect, which involves placing broken-glass pieces along the cuticle line, adds an extra layer of sophistication to this already-trendy look.
Just wow… right?
A stunning, cosmic-inspired look is surprisingly accessible to recreate. To achieve this, you’ll need to combine blue-green cellophane with shimmering blue/purple/black hues. If you’re familiar with adding radiance to your nails by layering colours (gradating from light to dark) using a sponge, apply the same technique to the darker blues, greens, and purples before finishing with the broken-glass effect on top.
Half Broken Glass, Half Negative Space
If you’re looking to add some glass-like appeal to your manicure without going all out with a full-on glass design, consider a half-broken glass, half-negative space approach. The key is to create visual interest by juxtaposing different textures and colors. This can be achieved through diagonal, vertical, or horizontal placement of the design elements, allowing for maximum creativity and flexibility.
To add an extra layer of depth, use tape or nail foils to separate two sides of the nail, with one side remaining bare and simple and the other featuring a darker or brighter hue. For added visual flair, consider applying the broken-glass effect only to the colored section of your nails – or, for a unique touch, include a lighter-colored feature nail.
Cute Pink Design
For those who love all things feminine, pink is an obvious choice for a girlie-inspired manicure. To take it to the next level, consider incorporating pale pink pearled broken-glass effect nails as a finishing touch. The beauty of this design lies in its versatility – you can opt for one feature nail, two, or go all out with a full set. And the best part? You can complete the look in as little as five minutes or take your time and build up the design layer by layer.
The possibilities are endless!
Broken Glass Triangles
Why not give your manicure a festive twist? You can achieve a Christmas tree-inspired look with an edgy spin by adding some creative flair. For instance, you could incorporate red gemstones for an extra pop of color. If simplicity is more your style, start with a black base coat and let your creativity shine on just a couple of feature nails. The slender, elongated triangle shape can help create the illusion of longer nails, giving you a polished look.
Blue & Purple Mani
The mesmerizing manicure that’s caught your eye features an innovative edge-off-the-nail design, where the tips are intentionally left uneven. The rich purple hue is expertly graduated from the center of the nail outwards, creating a stunning broken-glass effect. To ensure the look lasts, apply a top coat and allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
While this unique design may require a bit more time and effort than your average manicure, the end result is well worth the extra time invested.
Green & Silver Glitter Design
The green and silver glitter design nails are a standout during the festive period, boasting a mesmerizing combination of light and white shimmer shades that beautifully reflect the surrounding illumination. What’s particularly impressive is the subtle yet distinct appearance of the broken-glass shards, which adds an extra layer of depth without overpowering the overall aesthetic. This look is versatile enough to flatter both long and short nails alike.
Shine Bright Like a Diamond
Consider taking matters into your own hands instead of waiting for him to propose. A subtle yet striking way to do this is by adding a diamond-inspired broken-glass effect to just one nail – the ring finger nail, specifically. This design element will subconsciously capture his attention and pique his interest, leading him to ponder the significance of the gesture. The unspoken message behind your bold move will surely spark an interesting conversation.
Blue Design
The essence of a flawless nail art design lies in its simplicity and effectiveness, much like Essie’s calming blue hue. As a subtle yet striking backdrop, this colour provides the perfect canvas for the ‘shards’ of broken-glass to shine. To achieve this mesmerizing look, start by applying the blue base coat on Thursday, allowing it to dry before adding the sparkly top effect on Friday – the ultimate party day!
Pop of Gold
While the idea of mermaid-inspired nails may seem complex, the execution is surprisingly straightforward. In fact, it’s gained popularity to the point where fashion brand Balmain has created dresses that perfectly complement this trend. Who wouldn’t want to emulate the style of the Kardashian sisters? The key to achieving this look is a dark purple base coat, which can be paired with optional glitter and shimmer for added dimension.
For an extra touch of luxury, add gold nail balls or mercury-metal shards that resemble broken glass. This simple yet effective design is perfect for busy individuals who want to add a touch of glamour to their daily routine.
Colorful Broken Glass Pedi
Reimagine the beauty of stained glass on your nails by incorporating a similar design element into your manicure. The concept is surprisingly straightforward: layer thin strips of cellophane in shades of red, green, blue, and yellow over a black or white base coat to achieve a striking broken-glass effect. Complete the look with a generous application of top coat for added shine.
This eye-catching design is particularly well-suited for a pair of strappy sandals, elevating your overall style to new heights.
White Negative Space Nails + Broken Glass Accent Nail
There’s no denying that the nails showcased at StayGlam have captured our hearts. The combination of a nude base coat, gold foil strips, white polish, and peachy/nude broken-glass effect pieces is truly captivating. While this look may not be for those in a hurry, it’s well worth the effort if you’re willing to invest some time. With its modern and on-trend aesthetic, we think you’ll find it hard to resist the allure of these stunning nails.
Glass Almond Nails
These stunning nails are perfect for those who want a subtle yet eye-catching manicure. To achieve this look, start with a peach-toned base coat that provides a natural canvas for the ‘broken glass’ design. Apply small, irregularly shaped pieces of polish in nude shades to create a scattered, glass-like effect. Keep the design balanced by spacing out the pieces evenly and topping it off with a high-quality top coat.
Be sure to let your nails fully dry before doing any household chores or activities that may smudge the design. If you’re not careful, the ‘broken glass’ effect can be ruined by premature drying. This on-trend look is expected to dominate nail trends for years to come. As a bonus, it’s an excellent excuse to get creative and experiment with different polish combinations.
Don’t forget to tag us with #StayGlam on social media for a chance to be featured, and feel free to share your own fails and successes! 🙂
