Painting one’s nails has become, well, boring. Leave it to the Japanese to make nail-painting fun again. In Japan, nail art has taken the fashion world by storm.

It’s not so much the nail polish that has changed the way we look at nails but the accessories that are piled onto the nails.

Rhinestones, pearls, glitter, and polymer clay accessories are just a few of the things that are found on the nails of Japanese girls today.

Some go to great lengths and actually glue miniature toys on their nails. Nail length is grown out and shaped into pointed edges, or fake nails are glued onto the nail bed.

The bigger the items applied to the nails the better.

The International Nail Expo in Tokyo is trying to make the trend appeal more worldwide. The trend will eventually grow because many manicurists are being taught by professionals how to design and create nail art for the masses.

The trend is slowly but surely surfacing in America; stars like Lady Gaga has been becoming known for her outrageous nails.

YouTube users interested in creating their own nail art post their own “how to” videos with a twist. American girls who are interested in Japanese nail art play it safe - the nail length isn’t as long or pointed as the ones sported by girls in Japan.

Nail designs range from zebra stripes painted on purple polish, black and white cheetah prints embellished with rhinestones, Hello Kitty motifs and checker-patterned designs.

The videos also provide quick tips like using a tooth pick to make polka dots and using tape to design the perfect squares for a checker design. Some videos even show the process of making polymer clay accessories, the task being arduous and time consuming.

The process requires its own machine and special ingredients to accomplish the look. It seems easier and cheaper to buy nail stickers to get a similar look with less stress and aggravation.

The look is extravagant and at times inconvenient. Having such beautiful accessories on one’s nails can cause limitations when it comes to tasks such as cleaning and any other form of activity that requires your hands. The nails have become a mere accessory.

Although it takes a lot of work to create and manage, it’s a small price to pay for a look that will definitely turn heads.