Texture is the big trend in every facet of fashion and beauty for Spring and Summer. In the spirit of this trend Ciate has released Caviar Manicure sets (you can check them out here at Sephora). These sets, which retail for $25, include a nail polish (the base of the manicure) and a nail polish bottle filled with microbeads. In my opinion, paying $25 for that is INSANE! That being said I did want to try out the trend.
I headed to my local Michael’s and picked up microbeads to give this a shot. For a how to and everything I used check below the jump!
When I went to Michael’s I had a bit of a hard time finding microbeads. Turns out, they are in the scrapbooking section. While you can buy these beads in just a single color, I decided to get 2 sets with 6 colors. They were half off! I got 12 colors for about $7. Currently, Ciate only has 3 colors of their Caviar Manicure sets.
I’ve done a Caviar manicure 3 times. It took me 3 times to really perfect it. The following is what I did to get the best results:
I followed Ciate’s basic instructions that can be found here. First apply your first coat to all 10 nails. Let it dry. Next, apply a thick second coat to one nail. Sprinkle the beads over the nail. Gently press the beads into the polish. Sprinkle the nail a second time and again, gently press the beads into the polish. Repeat on the other 9 nails.
Give your nails a good 10 minutes or so to dry. Then use a top coat and dab it alot the edges of the nails. Let the top coat dry completely. And that’s it! You’re done.
Removing a caviar manicure can be a struggle. Everytime I ended up scraping the beads off. I didn’t have any luck removing them with pure acetone. Once most of the beads are gone, removal is simple.
Now onto the mistakes and made and a few tips I’ve learned along the way.
Do not use nail glue instead of nail polish to adhere the beads to your nails! Not only will there not be enough beads, they come off very easily. I used nail glue for my attempt at a purple caviar manicure, and it’s pretty obvious from the pictures, it didn’t turn out very well. (The beads are over Finger Paints Grape Gumball)
When applying the top coat to the tips of the nails make sure to dab it, and not to brush it on. Brushing it on will cause some of the color to rub off.
Make sure to sprinkle the beads over each nail twice. When I did my black caviar manicure I only sprinkled and pressed once. This caused there to be alot of bald spots and while it looked fine, it didn’t look as good as it could have.
Obviously, caviar manicures are bumpy. I caught myself rubbing my fingers over the manicure SO MANY times. Really try not to do that as eventually this will cause the color to rub off.
When sprinkling beads over the nails use a tray to catch the beads so they can be easily put back in the bottle.
Other issues I experienced with this manicure: My hair was always getting stuck on my fingernails! As was my loofa. Annoying. Also, on several occasions I got foundation between the beads on a nail or two. Thorough washing will get the foundation out but it’s not fun.
All that being said, this is such a fun manicure to do. It’s different and I always received compliments when I had it on. Realistically, I can only go about a full day to a day and a half with a caviar manicure without driving myself a bit crazy.
If anyone is still reading this post at this point I am curious to know if you’re going to give it a try? Or are you not into this trend at all? If you’ve tried this, let me know if you have any other helpful tips!
Alli
Katie
i love the white!! looks so classy!
-megan
I agree! I might have to go get some clear microbeads now..
Thank you!
I don’t think I will be trying the caviar manicure, but I love looking at pictures of them in other people’s blogs. Your post was very informative and detailed and really nicely illustrated with your photos.
This looks is definitely not for everyone. I was very tentative but I’m glad I tried it.
I’m doing it!
yay! what color?
Not until you do your aussie guest post
Down with Ciate! They are starting to write bloggers who use the term caviar manicure saying they are going to trademark that name! That’s just insane. I heard from 2 bloggers today who were contacted by Ciate with basic threatning statements. They no more can TM that idea then they can trademark say foil manis or Fr. Manis. It’s been done for years in the hi end fashion shows. No one ever put a TM on decorating cookies and cakes with those round ‘things’ called draggies that are able to be consumed but look just like the craft caviar beads. Don’t buy the Ciate sets being sold at Sephora – we need to boycote that company with their threats towards bloggers.
See my response to lacquer&lashes. I suppose their claim would be that they coined the phrase “Caviar nails”? I’d love to know who was contacted. Nothing yet in our inbox.
What!? That’s absurd! I gave them credit for the idea whether or not they came up with it. It’s not my fault there’s a much cheaper way to achieve the exact same look!
I heard the same thing as beachgal12.
Hmmm that’s interesting… I guess we’ll wait and see if we are contacted. I guess I don’t understand the big deal really – I’m not sure which other blogs were contacted but Alli did introduce it as a DIY version of Ciate, so I’d be interested to see how the other girls posted it…
I have to say I’m not into this trend. I love the idea of something new, but to me this is just icky, like an insect laid eggs all over your nails!
I don’t find it icky, but I’m not sure how I’d do with bumpy nails – I think it’d drive me crazy! I see myself maybe doing an accent nail once in a while.
I got my beads yesterday!:) but just a question out of curiousity: wouldn’t it be easier to just dip your finger in the beads instead of sprinkling them on top? Seems to me that this way you can avoid bald spots?
Well, the thing is, in order for the beads to really stay on the nail, you have to press the beads into the wet coat of nail polish. The bald spots were caused when I pressed the beads down the first time and it created spaces for more beads. So I think that problem would happen either way you go about it.
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I’m definitely going to go rummaging for some microbeads. I’m loving textures at the moment, and your white mani looks so classy!
Thank you so much!
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Thanks, I was in Michaels and saw beads but no micro beads. Have to go back and look in the scrap booking section. Thanks for the tip.
I would have never found them if I didn’t ask. I had no idea they were a scrapbooking item!
I love these beads, I use the gold ones and I’m obsessed! I like using them on black polish and creating a studded effect. Gorgeous! Your white nail caviar is lovely!
I mailed the gold beads to Katie. That’s a great idea, hopefully she’ll give it a try!
They are in the Martha Stewart isle and the glitter isle
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I used the clear microbeads over a deep blue…the color turned out awesome! My technique was different and had a slightly different outcome, but I did not follow a tutorial. It still turned out nice and since I work at Michael’s my nails may have sold some extra beads and glitter that week!
Hi Angela I’m interested in knowing what technique you used I so love the caviar nail I’m going to try it
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These are soooo pretty! I love the white, I’ll def be trying these for the wedding I have coming up in July! <3 Lauren
http://eyeblinkfashion.wordpress.com/
I had a similar microbeads you have. They are pretty but problem is color always come off when put top coat.
Well, you can’t put a top coat over the entire nail. Make sure to just dab the top coat on the tips and not to brush it on.
Thank you SO much for this. I was planning on doing this for my wedding in December. With your microbeads idea I can use the shiny cream pearls with a couple of blue ones thrown in. I love doing my nails but I’m really rough on my hands so the paint comes off quick. I’m sure this will be doubly so but they only have to make it 3 hours with the wedding and reception. Thank you! Thank you!!
That sounds like a wonderful combination! I may just have to give it a try myself
The original caviar manicure looks pretty cool on its own, but I really like the idea of mixing the microbead colours!
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Ok, gag me. Last night I did the caviar manicure, it was ok for the moment. However, today the microbeads are already coming off. I purposely applied a thicker coat of Polish and pushed the beads down into the polish, hoping that they would stay longer. All in all, it was fun while it lasted. I’m doing rockstart later this evening.
I’m sorry it was such a disaster for you! I’ve found this kind of manicure is best for a night out and then I take it off.
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I love this manicure. What polish color did you have under the clear beads! I did it with antique copper beads over Sally Hansen kinetic copper.
Love it!
I used Ulta Snow White. It’s just a plain old white creme polish!
They look awesome, the white is my fav, I love the iridescent beads… but only a day to a day and half… yikes. I really like touching my nails too so I might just keep staring at your pictures.
The white really surprised me. I ended up loving it
I absolutely love the look but I would be touching it non stop as well. And you would probably find little beads everywhere around my apartment. But heck it looks so good!
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This looks so fun, I think I’ll give it a try.. This was very informative, thanks
No problem. I hope you like it!
Going to try ASAP
I’m heading to Michael NOW! I’ve gotta try this.
I love Caviar manis!! I tried it a while back & it was amazing!! Ciate is coming out with a Sequin Manicure…but I will be opting for a more affordable version!!
Your nails are amazing!!!!
Thank you! Ciate sure does love their arts and crafts, don’t they?
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OMG I ha to try this but not on myself
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Im gonna attempt it… I went to Michaels to purchase the beads but im going to use nail bonder ( use for adhering nail art, rhinestones etc) to hold them on and see how that works.
I didn’t have much luck using any kind of nail adhesive simply because it made the beads sit on top of the nail instead of sinking into a coat of polish.
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I’ve tried it several times and the beads only stay on between an hour and 3-4 hours. I used a top coat to seal, but after a few hours the whole thing just peels off in one big piece. I used the same beads and process as others, but they just don’t stay on for me. I love the look and bought a 12 pack of the recollections beads. I’ll keep trying!
Hm. I’ve never had it peel off in a big piece. I’ve had individual beads fall off.
Are you using a top coat over the entire thing or just the tips?
If your nail is peeling it sounds like your nail polish or base coat may be bad. What brand do you use?
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Thanks for the post! I have the Sensationail at home UV gel polish kit and I did the caviar manicure with the clear gel polish and then UV cured it. I put another coat of clear over top to smooth it out, and I didn’t get the problem with the hair getting stuck in my nails, etc. I got perfect coverage this way and with NO dry time. My caviar nails lasted comfortably and smoothly 4 days. I am a huge fan of the sensationail,and I think it’s the best way to go for caviar nails!
What a brilliant idea! Definitely something to consider! Thank you for sharing
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I went to my local sallys but were sold out!..I will definitely go to micheals to purchase today..im excited to try, they look awesome!
When you put the top coat on why for you only dab the tips?
If you put a top coat over the entire nail it’ll take the color off of the beads
I love this look and I’m deff going to try it!
I LOVE THE LOOK I WORE TODAY AND RECEIVED A TON OF COMPLIMENTS. DOWNSIDE: I STRESSED ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS , LIKE BUTTONING MY PANTS, AND PUTTING MY HAIR UP.
Haha. I totally understand! Glad you got alot of compliments
I just bought a kit from Walgreens and Walmart. It’s called Nail Rock by Rock Beauty (rockbeauty.co.uk). Very nice, comes with polish, a pot of caviar nail beads and costs me $6.99- I will be trying this tomorrow
I hope it went well!
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I’ve just done my second caviar manicure after my first came off in hours – I didn’t realise I had to paint over them afterwards! Theyre now white and look lovely! Thank you!
I’m so glad! Sounds awesome
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Done this earlier I absolutley love them. I cant stop touching them lmao. I love the white and I am definitely going to give the black a go
I got multicoloured balls including yellow, red, blue, white and purple with a white base coat. I had previously used nail glue on top of a coloured coat and I had the same results with not many balls sticking. Thanks for the tips 
x
So glad you like it!
I did a caviar accent nail this past week on top of opi’s mod about you. This week I’m wearing opi’s fly and would like to place a few beads along the curve of my cuticle as decoration but NOT a whole nail. Does anyone have any tips for placing single beads or even know if it’s possible for an amature to do?
I’ve done this using tweezers to place the beads. Just make sure to apply a thick coat of slow drying stop coat and work somewhat quickly.
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I just found this blog and so glad I did. I just did a caviar manicure and was wondering why it didn’t come out great, On my next, I will be doing the 2 coats of the beads! Thank you so much for this post!
So glad my post helped you!
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I’m going to give it a go. I bought the beads from eBay at a great price! I only want to have the caviar on one nail though. It will drive me insane on all 5. Thanks for the notes!
The beads work great as an accent nail! Hope you love it