Get the Look: Rhinestone Nails at Miami Swim Week

Ayumu Takasawa, lead nail artist at Vanity Projects, was the mastermind behind the bedazzled nail looks for the BLONDS Show at Miami Swim Week this past weekend. 

In partnership with CND and the Vanity Projects, Takasawa created three exclusive designs inspired by the BLONDS '80s capsule collection. Takasawa worked closely with David Blond to articulate his vision through the length, shape and audacious crystals that reflect the time, inspiration and collection itself. Here, she shares how she achieved each look. 

Rhinestone Strip Nail

1. Paint the nail using two coats of CND SHELLAC in Cherry Apple.
2. Top with CND SHELLAC Top Coat and let dry.
3. Once dry, use brush-on nail glue to adhere a strip of rhinestones to the nail. Use at least 3 different-sized stones depending on the length of the nail. 
4. Starting at the cuticle, apply a thin strip of glue down the center, and place 1-2 large rhinestones. Add more glue below that if necessary, and place 2-3 medium stones. Repeat with small and extra small stones until the length of the nail has a strip of rhinestones, and let the glue dry.

Full Rhinestone Nail

1. Paint nails using two coats of CND SHELLAC in Black Pool.
2. Top with CND SHELLAC Top Coat and let dry.
3. Once dry, use brush-on nail glue to begin applying rhinestones. Use 3-4 different sizes of black rhinestones. 
4. Starting at the cuticle, brush glue on approximately 1/4 of the nail, and begin placing large rhinestones. Fill in the spaces between with small and extra small rhinestones.
5. When the glue has been fully covered, brush glue on another 1/4 of the nail and continue applying rhinestones, and start adding medium-sized stones. Fill in the spaces between stones with small rhinestones.
6. Repeat using small and extra small stones until the nail is covered, and let the glue dry.

French Rhinestone Nail

1. Paint the nail using two coats of CND SHELLAC in Sweet Cider, and let dry. 
2. Using a complementary color, paint a thick, curved band along the cuticle from side wall to side wall. This band should be about as thick as the rhinestones you will be using. 
3. Use the same color to paint a French tip. Let the nail dry. 
4. Once dry, use brush-on nail glue to  begin applying rhinestones. Use 3-4 different sizes of rhinestones. 
5. Brush glue along the band of color at the cuticle, and apply stones in a row to cover the color. Use small stones on either side to fill in leftover gaps.
6. To cover the French tip, brush glue on approximately half of the French design, and start by placing a few large rhinestones that are evenly spaced out. Then fill in gaps using medium, small, and extra small stones.
7. Repeat this to finish filling the French tip with stones. Let the glue dry.