Posted on Dec 1, 2020

This Woman Is Going Viral For Her Nail Hacks With Random Objects, And The Results Are Mind-Blowing

It’s an art form.

by Liz Richardson

BuzzFeed Staff

Trying out nail hacks and showing off your latest manicure has been a trend on TikTok, but lately, creators like Chrysta Williams (known as @itssme_cz), have been showcasing their love for nails in the most unique way.

Chrysta, a college student studying psychology, may not work as a nail tech, but she’s incredibly talented. The 23-year-old content creator, who has over a million followers on TikTok, has a viral series where she uses anything — and I mean ANYTHING — to do a manicure and see if it actually works.

Chrysta holds instant ramen with the caption "doing my nails with ramen noodles" then shows the finished product: perfectly polished jeweled nails

BuzzFeed spoke to Chrysta, who revealed that the series started after she began doing her nails to cut the cost of going to the salon every two weeks: "I started posting on TikTok as a digital journal for myself to show my progress. As I started gaining followers, I noticed that most people wanted to know how to do their nails with what they already had around their house," she said. "I started looking up different ways to do so, and that led to my 'doing my nails with random things' segment on TikTok."

"So far, I've done my nails with a toothbrush, drinking straws, toilet paper, corn starch, baby powder, leaves, Scotch tape, Oreos — and the list goes on."

Here’s one of Chrysta’s first TikToks in the series, where she does her nails with a toothbrush — an idea inspired by a video she saw on YouTube.

@itssme_cz
The results was shocking 😦 #nailhack #gelnailsathome #nailvideo #foryoupage
♬ Ice Dance (From "Edward Scissorhands") - Ashton Gleckman

This video has gained over 3.7 million views!

Instead of using powder and liquid monomer to form typical acrylic nails, she applies gel polish and then uses the toothbrush bristles to extend the length of her nails and create the shape. The results are impressive:

Chrysta cuts the bristles off a toothbrush, shows off a perfectly filed nail that has the bristles adhered with gel polish, then presents the finished nail, polished with a pretty nail color

Here are parts one and two of another video, where Chrysta uses straws as nail tips, inspired by a longtime online trend.

@itssme_cz
if y’all only knew how long this took me 🤦🏽‍♀️😫 #nailtrend #strawnails #nailvideo #fyp
♬ Blue Blood - Heinz Kiessling & Various Artists

@itssme_cz
should I keep them on? 🤔😂 #nailtrend #nailhacks #acrylicnails #foryoupage
♬ Say I Yi Yi - Ying Yang Twins

To make it work, Chrysta cuts the straws, fits them to her nails, and uses nail glue to secure them. She decides to keep them extra long for a challenge, and voilà:

Chrysta demonstrates cutting a straw in half and gluing them on the tip of a nail and then shows the final look: very long nails featuring glitter and a gold heart detail

Since Chrysta's videos have gone viral, her series has gained a lot of attention — even beyond the app. "The reaction this segment has received is mind-blowing! I've also had the amazing opportunity for my content to be featured on The Dr. Oz Show. My supporters and I are now one million strong on TikTok, which is unbelievable. I'm so grateful."

In one of Chrysta’s most popular videos ever — which has over 20 million views — she does her nails with toilet paper.

@itssme_cz
Should I do my whole hand on YouTube with this method? 👀👀 #nailhacks #nailtrend #nailsathome #foryoupage
♬ Blue Blood - Heinz Kiessling & Various Artists

Chrysta was inspired to try this trend after seeing it done by 5-Minute Crafts, and based on the results, you'd never guess she used toilet paper:

Chrysta cuts toilet paper, applies a piece on her nail with nail glue, and then shows off a perfectly manicured and painted nail

And if you weren’t already impressed, here’s Chrysta doing her nails with leaves. Yes, leaves.

@itssme_cz
That leaf didn’t want me to be great 🤦🏽‍♀️😂 #nailvideos #nailchallenge #nailsathome #fyp
♬ Spongebob - Dante9k

Chrysta's TikToks are so popular, she's getting tons of requests for future videos. "Some of the things people want me to do my nails with are wild, but I love how it allows my creativity to run free."

Chrysta gathers leaves from a bush, applies a leaf to her nail, then shows off the finished look: an ombre nail with kiwi details

But no matter how random the request, Chrysta enjoys experimenting with new ways to do her nails — and inspiring others to embrace their own creative side. "When people visit my TikTok page or YouTube channel, I hope that they are inspired to express their own personal style. Sharing my love for doing nails at home and being able to inspire others to do the same is truly a blessing."

Rosanna Pansino / YouTube

OK, I can’t even paint my nails normally without it looking like some kind of mess. So, I'm loving all the fun styles Chrysta shares!

NBC

For more nail hacks and tutorials — and to see Chrysta doing her nails with other random things, including Oreos and fake eyelashes — check out her TikTok account @itssme_cz and her YouTube channel C's Tutorialz.