A few months ago, I threw DIY party at my house. It was a ton of fun; my friends and I created a Winter Gardenia Sugar Scrub, along with various colors of nail polish. Nail polish is one of my favorite projects to make with friends because it’s simple, easy to customize, and just about everybody loves nail polish. Making nail polish doesn’t require precise measurement or heat, which makes it easy to set up and clean up after.
I recommend planning on each person making about three bottles of nail polish. To give your guests plenty of color options, colorant sampler packs are a great way to go. For this party, I used the Brights and Pastel Micas Sampler Pack. I also brought along some glitter to add plenty of sparkle.
First, I showed everybody how to create a bottle of nail polish. Then, I gave them each printed instructions along with a template to test their nail polish color throughout the mixing process. I also had labels printed out, so my friends could write the name of their custom shade on the bottle. Coming up with fun polish names is one of my favorite parts!
To help keep any spills or messes off the counter, I placed all the ingredients on plastic mats. I also had a few bottles of nail polish remover nearby just in case! I place each mica into small sample cups to make the colors easier to scoop. The Nail Polish Mixing Balls, caps and brushes were also on the counter for easy access. I brought two 4 oz. bottles of Suspending Nail Polish Base. This way, more than one guest can pour the base into their bottle at a time. I ended up with plenty of extra 8 mL Nail Polish Bottles. I recommend planning on each 4 oz. bottle of nail polish base making about 16 of the small nail polish bottles.
To make the nail polish, gently pour the Suspending Nail Polish Base into the nail polish bottle. Add a Nail Polish Mixing Ball into the nail polish bottle. The Nail Polish Mixing Balls really help disperse the colorants into the nail polish base.
Then it’s time to get mixing! Have plenty of .15 CC Scoops on hand to help your guests place the micas and glitter into their bottles. This is were things get really fun! The more color options available, the more mixing and customization options your guests have.
Then, put the brush in, screw on the lid and shake, shake, shake the bottles until the color is fully incorporated into the base. For more information on how to make nail polish, check out the How to Make Nail Polish video on Soap Queen TV.
The printed instructions include a nail graphic to test the color as you continue to add color to your nail polish. This way, you don’t need to test the polish directly on your finger nails.
Once you’re happy with your nail polish color, cut out a label and place the label on the bottle. I used the waterproof label paper to print the labels. Click here to download the free label template.
Here are a few of my favorite nail polish colors created at the party, including my “Perfect Purple,” color shown above.
Color Mixtures Shown Above:
- Sparkle Blue: Five CC scoops Cellini Blue Mica + four CC scoops Silver Nail Polish Glitter (The Silver Nail Polish Glitter has been replaced with the Silver Rainbow EcoGlitter).
- Bright Green: Four CC scoops Shamrock Green Mica + six CC scoops Yellow Mica
- Perfect Purple: Seven CC scoops Lavender Mica (The Violaceous Violet Mica previously used will be discontinued when supplies run out. It has been replaced with Lavender Mica).
- Bright Pink: Five CC scoops Coral Mica + five CC scoops Rose Pearl Mica
- Super Gold: 12 CC scoops Gold Nail Polish Glitter (The Gold Nail Polish Glitter has been replaced with the Silver Rainbow EcoGlitter).
If you want to recreate this nail polish party, here is the complete list of items used:
- Two bottles 4 oz. Suspending Nail Polish Base
- Small Nail Polish Bottle, 8 mL
- Nail Polish Mixing Balls
- Gold Nail Polish Glitter (The Gold Nail Polish Glitter has been replaced with the Silver Rainbow EcoGlitter)
- Silver Nail Polish Glitter (The Silver Nail Polish Glitter has been replaced with the Silver Rainbow EcoGlitter)
- Brights and Pastel Micas Sampler Pack
- Nail Polish Instruction Template
- Nail Polish Label Template
Click here to add everything you need for this project to your Bramble Berry shopping cart!
Have you ever thrown a DIY party before? I love having an activity during my celebrations. I find that it helps foster conversation, and guests love leaving with their creations. If you have any tips or tricks for throwing a DIY party, I would love to her them! If you’re interested in learning more about making your own nail polish, check out the tutorials below.
I’m in love with the idea of making my own nail polish! Too fun! Can you use regular glitter from brambleberry, the type you put in soap or does it have to be the nail polish glitter? Thanks!
You’ll need to use nail polish glitter because regular glitter can dissolve in the base. We have several glitter options here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Search.aspx?k=nail+polish+glitter
Have fun Sheila, customizing your own nail polish is a great way to get creative. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Super fun! I know someone who would LOVE to create nail polish! She is always watching tutorials on youtube for nail art so this would be perfect for her! But how long does this last? And how many coats do you usually put on?
Thank you!
That’s awesome, sounds like making nail polish is perfect for your friend!
Our nail polish works similarly to nail polish you find in the grocery store. I usually add two coats of the polish, maybe three if the color is a little lighter. I usually keep it on for a week or so. Depending on how much I’m using my hands, I start to notice chips 2-4 days in. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I am beyond thrilled to have found Soap Queen and Brambleberry. It has reminded me how I dig being creative and how much fun it is to make it than buy it… No matter what “it” is. This party is definitely something I’m going to do. Finally, I’m subscribed to a list where I look forward to th content in my inbox & other social network feeds. Bravo!!!
That is so awesome, thanks so much for your kind message! We love inspiring people to get crafty. I think you’ll have a lot of fun hosting a nail polish party, and your guests will love having nail polish to take home. Have fun, and let us know how it goes. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I love this idea! How much would you charge the customer?
So glad you love the idea Kathy! How much you charge for the party depends on a number of factors, including the cost of the materials, the labor and the market you’re in. This blog post on pricing your products may give you some ideas: http://www.soapqueen.com/business/guest-post-pricing-products/
You may also check out our Teach Soap Forum. Some of the crafters there may be able to tell you what they charged for a similar event. 🙂
Teachsoap.com/forum
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry