Gem nails with flowers
Courtesy of @sansungnails
Courtesy of @sansungnails
How to create gem nails at home
If you’re a crafter who enjoys hands-on projects (I, for one, spend hours bedazzling books), you might find your nails are a new canvas for creativity. “This is one of the easiest looks to achieve if you’re meticulous and patient,” says Kim. (If you’re neither of those things, we have some product recommendations for you if you want to jump to the end.) Below are some nail artist tips for getting this design at home.
Carve out enough time to create your look. Says Kim, “The simpler looks can take around 30 minutes, but the more complex looks can take five hours or more.”
Before you head to a craft store, look through your own stash. Kim suggests digging through your drawers or old arts-and-crafts bins to find objects that are small enough to glue onto your nail.
Use gel formulas. Sure, you can glue a gem individually onto a base of regular polish, but Los Angeles-based nail artist Sarah Chue warns that your mani probably won’t last long. Both she and Kim recommend using gel polish and a non-wipe builder gel to better adhere your embellishments. “After applying your color and curing, polish the nail with a layer of builder gel,” says Chue. “Place your gems in the style you would like, then cure.”
Secure your gems. “Depending on the size of the [rhinestones], you may have to secure them a bit more around the edges with the builder gel,” Chue adds.
Lay out your design. For more complex looks, Kim paints the design onto her nails with colored polish, then places the gems and beads on top of her outlines.
Try press-on nails. If you’re not into tactile hobbies (we get it), there are still ways to get gem nails at home. Below are some of our picks for the most on-trend gem-nail press-ons.