In the infamous “Nail Salon” routine from San Jose stand-up comic Anjelah Johnson, a manicurist attempts to upsell her client with a crystal gel treatment, claiming that “it sparkles like diamonds in the sky.” The new Swarovski manicure at Hayes Valley nail boutique Lux SF brings this promise to life. Over the course of two hours, salon owner Tracy Brown painstakingly glues more than 200 Swarovski Elements jewels onto freshly varnished nails for maximum holiday glitz. “I love the lacquered sheen of the noir gems,” says Brown, who begins the manicure with the usual nail primer, base coat, and gel layer for high shine. The sparklers—which come in gold, silver, red, or black—are then sealed in place by an ultrathin layer of nail glue. Two touch-ups are included in the service, just in case some hocus pocus vanishes a few crystals into thin air. $195, Lux SF (Hayes Valley)

This article was published in 7x7's December/January 2014 issue. Click here to subscribe.