Interesting, as ArcticSilver was my paste of choice, and my method was based on what they used to recommend, it seems things have changed in the last 10 years - I'd probably go with what the ArcticSilver instructions say.

As for using gloves, you won't add an air pocket, as the gloves are only used for applying a really thin coating to the heatsink. By really thin, I mean just enough to be visible on the heatsink, while still being able to see the heatsink surface through the thermal paste. That should be enough to fill any gaps in the heatsink surface.