Remember '90s Sticker Earrings? You'll Love This Nail Trend

What makes this version of the trend stand out is the detail. Gems in varying sizes are grouped into thoughtful designs — like a crystal border framing a butterfly, or tiny cherries built from layered stones — giving the set a polished, high-gloss finish.

For a similar effect, check out the Sally Hansen Nail Accents ($9), which come with an assortment of flat-backed charms perfect for re-creating the look at home.

This version takes the trinket trend to its max. With layered rhinestones, pearls, metallic studs, and 3D charms, each nail feels like its own tiny treasure box. You can find similar mixed embellishments in the Fandamei Nail Charms from Amazon ($10).

What makes this style stand out is the eclectic variety. No two nails are the same, and the dense placement gives it a joyful, anything-goes energy. "The trend is often a free-for-all," says Gerstein. "When the base is so sheer and skin-toned, it really makes the jewel tones pop." It's a maximalist manicure that embraces chaos — and that's exactly the point.

This look balances variety with restraint. A sheer base is topped with a mix of micro-gems, metallic dots, rods, and novelty shapes like stars and moons, each spaced just enough to feel airy, not cluttered. Just order this Assorted Gem Kit ($17) from Sally Beauty Supply to get 450 rhinestones.

"The fun part is you can make the sticker your own," Gerstein says. "Even though it's quick and easy, it doesn't have to be basic." That freedom to play and personalize is what makes trinket nail gems so appealing: they're whimsical and creative, and even though they're low-effort, they still look polished enough to wear anywhere.

This manicure keeps the sparkle but adds structure by arranging the gems into symmetrical flower shapes. The result feels minimal, memorable, and nostalgic — like something you'd spot on a flip phone in the early 2000s. If you love the sticker-core aesthetic but want something a little more refined, this is for you.

To create this look at home, simply place self-adhesive rhinestones, like RXD Store's Gems for Crafts ($9), in flower shapes — an easy DIY look.

Kat Dennings, known for "2 Broke Girls" and the Thor films, posted her own take on the look to Instagram on July 21. Fans immediately clocked the reference, flooding her comments with praise like "Giving early 2000s vibes 😍" and "These remind me of those press-on earring stickers us non-pierced ears kids would wear!"

Her set featured a sheer pink polish, like Essie Sugar Daddy ($9), and colorful stick-on gems. The result? Y2K glam that's deceptively easy to re-create. It's one of the most accessible takes on the trend: no acrylics or salon visit required — just a steady hand and decals like the Beadsland Flat Backed Crystal Rhinestones ($7).

According to Gerstein, the "stickers already have a base, so you don't need glue — just polish and a good top coat like Seche Vite [$7], which makes the manicure totally doable at home."

This version dials up the energy with a confetti-like mix of tiny, colorful decals. The shapes range from flowers to hearts to stars, all floating on a clear jelly base that gives them a suspended, almost resin-like appearance. Compared to some of the more dimensional takes, these decals are flatter and more flush to the nail, making the set feel more sticker-like in texture.

You can find similar stickers on Amazon, like this Multicolor Manicure Glitter Confetti ($8). With the right placement, they give off major sticker-book-meets-manicure energy.

Olivia Tauber is a freelance writer based in New York, pursuing her Master's in Journalism at NYU. She's the contributing assistant beauty editor at PopSugar and contributor to Interview, Bustle, SELF, and HuffPost. Her career began in corporate publicity at Showtime, followed by production for "The Pivot," an Emmy-nominated series.