Eye Candy: Japanese Nail Art

by None

Rad pastel-colored geometric prints. Photo: Yuko Kamikatahira

TOKYO – Everything from rhinestones and chains to 3-D Hello Kitty characters and mini hot dogs.

<p>Rad pastel-colored geometric prints. Photo: <a title="Yuko Kamikatahira" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=419244738090595&set=a.208689325812805.67316.100000152166924&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Yuko Kamikatahira</a></p> — Rad pastel-colored geometric prints. Photo: Yuko Kamikatahira

<p>Photo: <a title="Jin Jin's Adventures" href="http://jin-lim.blogspot.com/2011/03/nautical-nail-art-with-gold-chain-and.html" target="_blank">Jin Jin's Adventures</a></p> — Photo: Jin Jin's Adventures

<p>Cotton candy colored french manicure. Photo: <a title="MarieNAILS" href="http://marienails.com/gallery01.html" target="_blank">MarieNAILS</a></p> — Cotton candy colored french manicure. Photo: MarieNAILS

<p>Jeweled tips. Photo: <a title="TokyoFashion.com" href="http://tokyofashion.com/shibuya-gyaru-long-denim-skirt-open-toe-boots-leather-jacket/" target="_blank">TokyoFashion.com</a></p> — Jeweled tips. Photo: TokyoFashion.com

<p>Quinceañera inspired perhaps? Photo: <a title="Fakelanddesign on Buzznet" href="http://fakelanddesign.buzznet.com/user/journal/?p=1" target="_blank">Fakelanddesign</a> / Buzznet</p> — Quinceañera inspired perhaps? Photo: Fakelanddesign / Buzznet

<p>80s style prints with rhinestone detailing. Photo: <a title="MarieNAILS" href="http://marienails.com/gallery01.html" target="_blank">MarieNAILS</a></p> — 80s style prints with rhinestone detailing. Photo: MarieNAILS

<p>Americana stripes. Photo: <a title="Yuko Kamikatahira" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=419207121427690&set=a.208689325812805.67316.100000152166924&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Yuko Kamikatahira</a></p> — Americana stripes. Photo: Yuko Kamikatahira

<p>Hello Kitty love. Photo: <a title="Metro" href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/802444-nail-art-gets-a-talon-show" target="_blank">Metro</a></p> — Hello Kitty love. Photo: Metro

<p>A little bit of everything. Photo: <a title="LUUUX" href="http://www.luuux.com/health-beauty/japanese-nail-art-2" target="_blank">LUUUX</a></p> — A little bit of everything. Photo: LUUUX

<p>Tropical hued nails. Photo: <a title="Yuko Kamikatahira" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=419211411427261&set=a.208689325812805.67316.100000152166924&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Yuko Kamikatahira</a></p> — Tropical hued nails. Photo: Yuko Kamikatahira

<p>Extreme 3-D nail art. Photo: <a title="Amy Louise Greenhough on Pinterest" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/60798663689706859/" target="_blank">Amy Louise Greenhough</a> / Pinterest</p> — Extreme 3-D nail art. Photo: Amy Louise Greenhough / Pinterest

<p>Watercolor inspired nails. Photo: <a title="Yuko Kamikatahira" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=419174921430910&set=a.208689325812805.67316.100000152166924&type=3&theater" target="_blank">Yuko Kamikatahira</a></p> — Watercolor inspired nails. Photo: Yuko Kamikatahira

<p>Harajuku girls showing off their manicures. Photo: <a title="tokyofashion on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tokyofashion/4332071791/" target="_blank">tokyofashion</a> / Flickr</p> — Harajuku girls showing off their manicures. Photo: tokyofashion / Flickr

<p>Nail art on Tokyo's famous shopping street, Takeshita Dori. Photo: <a title="TokyoFashion.com" href="http://tokyofashion.com/fairy-kei-japanese-decora-nail-girls-in-harajuku/" target="_blank">TokyoFashion.com</a></p> — Nail art on Tokyo's famous shopping street, Takeshita Dori. Photo: TokyoFashion.com

TOKYO – When Fathom creative director Crystal Meers went to Tokyo, she came back with an unbelievable manicure.

Though the beauty routine can be traced back 5,000 years in India and China (when beeswax, gold, and henna were used as nail enamel), today's Japanese manicures take things to an outrageous new level. Girls and guys around Tokyo can be found sporting rhinestones, chains, 3-D Hello Kitty characters, and mini hot dog sculptures on their fingertips. Of course, there are more subtle ways to take on the nail art trend. Multicolor pastel hues, nautical stripes, and pastel color blocks are popular right now.

We went on a Googling binge. Check out the highlights.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE

Better Than a Stinking T-Shirt (Fathom)

Sally Singer: Finger Pointing (Nowness)

SHOP IT

Aya (Etsy)
Kawaii Nails

We make every effort to ensure the information in our articles is accurate at the time of publication. But the world moves fast, and even we double-check important details before hitting the road.