Melanie Sabol – Copy Editor
Ombre Glitter Sneakers
These ombre glitter sneakers are really easy to make, and will transform any plain white sneaks into the perfect party shoes. Use these tips from “TeenVogue” to help you make your shoes sparkly and ready for the spring!
Tape shoe soles
Apply the masking tape over any parts of the shoe that you do not want to paint. Be sure to cover all of the soles. Take care to smooth the tape down so that you don’t leave any gaps along the top.
Remove shoelaces
Remove the laces from the shoes, and then pour a large glob of the silver glitter paint into the plate.
Start with the lightest glitter
Pour a large amount of the lightest color of glitter into the paint. It’s important to work from the lightest color to the darkest.
Stir the glitter into the paint
Stir up the glitter/paint mixture. You want it to have a somewhat grainy consistency, but you don’t want the paint to be dry or chunky. Adjust the amount of glitter and paint until you have a nice mix.
Begin painting the glitter
Start painting the glitter mixture on the shoe, working from the back of the shoe to the front.
Paint 1/3 of the shoe
Paint about one third of the shoe with the silver glitter mixture, being sure to get every part of the canvas. When you get to the 1/3 mark, brush the paint brush back and forth to blur the end line of the silver paint. This will help the ombre effect to look more natural.
Pour more paint
Using a clean plate, pour another glob of silver glitter paint into the plate.
Start with second color of glitter
Pour a large amount of the second lightest color of glitter into the paint.
Mix glitter and paint well
Mix well, and make any adjustments to the consistency.
Begin painting the second color
Start painting the second color about half an inch behind where the first color ended, so that the first and second colors overlap and blend together. Paint the third color until just before the shoelaces stop, and blend out the edges. Be sure to pull out the tongues of the shoes and paint them as well.
Mix the darkest color
Mix the next darkest color with the paint on a clean plate.
Mix glitter and paint well
Be sure to get a nice consistency!
Finish painting
If you’re using three colors of glitter, paint the remainder of the shoe. If you’re using four colors, save some space at the toe. Use the same overlap technique with the middle color to ensure the shades blend well. For this pair, I used a fourth color of chunky glitter, and applied it just at the toes for a fun accent.
Seal the paint
Pour a bit of Mod-Podge onto a clean plate. Make sure your brush is clean!
Paint on Mod-Podge
Paint a light coat of the Mod-Podge all over the glitter to create a seal. Don’t be alarmed if the Mod-Podge looks white at first–it will dry clear.
The finished sneakers
Replace the laces, and allow the shoes to dry overnight.
