Frequently asked questions
What are nail sequins?
Flat, shaped pieces of glitter film, larger than glitter dust and smaller than a charm: hearts, stars, moons, letters, flowers, spades, and dots in solid, holographic, and metallic finishes. Set into a tacky clear layer and sealed under top coat, they add sparkle and a design element without the height of a rhinestone. ND stocks 6-grid themed sets, holographic 6-grid sets, and mixed fine, medium, and chunky glitter sequin sets.
How do I apply nail sequins so they stay flat?
Cure the base color, apply a thin uncured coat of clear gel or top coat (or a dot of non-sticky gel per piece), pick up each sequin with a wax pen or damp dotting tool, set it in, and press it flat with a silicone tool so no edge stands up. Cure, then top coat the whole nail, wrapping the free edge, and cure again. Chunky pieces may need a second top coat to level the surface.
What is the difference between sequins, glitter, and flakes?
Glitter dust is the finest and is mixed into gel or sponged on for shimmer and gradients. Flakes are irregular, translucent pieces that go under a jelly or clear layer for opal and aquarium effects. Sequins are cut shapes with a defined edge, placed one at a time or scattered, and read as a design element. Most salons stock all three for different looks.
Which sequin sets should a salon buy first?
One holographic 6-grid set (Moon Stars or Dreamy) and one mixed gold set (Gold/White or Gold/Red) cover most accent requests year-round. Add seasonal sets as the calendar turns: Valentine Purple and Pink Spade for February, Spring Love and Flowers for spring, St Patrick's Day, Autumn and Orange/Gold for fall, Gold/Red for the holidays, and the Alphabet Letters set for names and dates.
Are nail sequins sold at wholesale?
Yes. Every sequin set at ND Nails Supply is wholesale-priced for everyone, with no business license, no minimum order, and no membership fee. Sets are light and low-cost, an easy add-on to a gel or lamp order. Orders $100+ ship free, and in-stock sets ordered before 2pm PT on weekdays leave the same day.
Nail sequins: shaped sparkle sealed under top coat
Nail sequins are flat, shaped pieces of glitter film, larger than glitter dust and smaller than a charm: hearts, stars, moons, letters, flowers, spades, and round dots, in solid, holographic, and metallic finishes. Set into a wet top coat or a thin layer of clear gel and sealed, they give a nail dimension and sparkle without the height of a rhinestone. ND Nails Supply stocks around 20 sequin sets at wholesale: the 6-grid themed sets (a compact box with six compartments of one theme), the holographic 6-grid sets, and the mixed fine, medium, and chunky glitter sequin sets in seasonal color stories.
What is on this page
| Set type | Examples | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Grids of Sequins | #3 Pink Spade, #4 Valentine Purple, #7 White Gold, #8 Think Pink, #9 Spring Love, #16 Flowers, #20 Alphabet Letters | Themed accents: Valentine, spring, lettering |
| 6 Grids of Holographic Sequins | #13 Moon Stars, #17 Dreamy, #21 Letters, #29 St Patrick's Day | Holographic shapes that flash under light |
| Mixed glitter sequin sets (fine, medium, chunky) | Set 1 Autumn, Set 2 Orange/Gold, Set 3 Magenta, Set 4 Pink/Purple, Set 5 Gold/Red, Set 6 Gold/White, TZ168 Neon Pink | Glitter fades, encapsulation, full sparkle nails |
The 6-grid boxes hold six compartments of one theme, so a salon gets six coordinated shapes or colors in one purchase; the mixed sets blend fine and chunky pieces for a glitter-gradient look.
How to apply nail sequins
- Base color. Apply and cure the gel color, or let lacquer dry.
- Tack layer. Apply a thin coat of clear gel or top coat and leave it uncured, or use a dot of non-sticky gel where each sequin will sit.
- Place. Pick each sequin up with a wax pen or a damp dotting tool and set it into the tack layer. Press flat with a silicone tool so no edge stands up.
- Cure and seal. Cure the tack layer, then apply top coat over the whole nail, wrapping the free edge, and cure again. Large or chunky sequins may need a second top coat to level the surface.
Pro tip: for a glitter fade with the mixed sets, dip a sponge in the fine sequins and press it onto the tacky tip of the nail, then add a few chunky pieces by hand at the free edge and seal. The fine pieces do the gradient; the chunky pieces give it depth.
Sequins vs glitter vs flakes
Glitter dust is the finest and mixes into gel or is sponged on for a shimmer; flakes are irregular, translucent, and go under a jelly for an opal or aquarium effect; sequins are cut shapes with a defined edge, placed one at a time or scattered, and read as a design element rather than a shimmer. A salon usually stocks all three: dust for gradients, flakes for jelly nails, sequins for the hearts, stars, letters, and holiday shapes clients ask for by name.
Which sets should a salon stock?
- Year-round: one holographic 6-grid (Moon Stars or Dreamy) and one mixed gold set (Gold/White or Gold/Red) cover most accent requests.
- Seasonal: Valentine Purple and Pink Spade for February, Spring Love and Flowers for spring, St Patrick's Day for March, Autumn and Orange/Gold for fall, Gold/Red for the holidays.
- Lettering: the Alphabet Letters and Letters sets for names, initials, and dates on bridal and birthday sets.
Three sequin looks that book
- Scatter under glass: a sheer pink or nude base, a handful of fine holographic sequins pressed into a tacky clear layer, cured, then two thin coats of top so the surface is level. The everyday sparkle upsell.
- Accent shapes: a single heart, star, or letter on the ring finger, set in a dot of gel, sealed around the edge. The fastest add-on on the menu.
- Glitter-fade tip: the mixed fine and chunky sets sponged onto the free edge of a solid color so the sparkle grows toward the tip, sealed under top coat. The holiday and prom look.
Why seal sequins under top coat rather than over it?
A sequin sitting on top of a cured top coat has nothing holding it but a thin film, and it catches on hair and towels within a day. A sequin set into a tacky layer and then covered by the top coat is inside the manicure, with gel above and below it, and it wears as long as the color does. That is also why chunky sequins need a second top coat: the first levels the edges, the second gives the glass finish. On lacquer the same rule applies with a fast-dry top coat, but the wear is only as long as the lacquer's.
Care and storage
- Sealed sequins wear as long as the manicure under them; if an edge lifts, brush a little top coat over it and cure.
- Keep the 6-grid boxes closed and dry; loose sequins scratch each other's finish and holographic film dulls if it is handled with oily fingers.
- Remove with the manicure, by soak-off for gel or remover for lacquer.
- Decant a working pinch of each shape into a small dish at the desk rather than opening the grid box over the client's hand, so a spill does not empty a compartment.
Wholesale pricing at ND Nails Supply
Every sequin set ships at wholesale pricing for everyone, with no business license, no minimum order, and no membership fee. Sets are light and low-cost, an easy add-on to any order. Free shipping on orders $100+, and in-stock sets ordered before 2pm PT on weekdays leave the same day.