The Kylie Jenner effect: How bedazzled everything became 2026’s boldest trend

Decorating nails with gemstones has become a popular trend.
Decorating nails with gemstones has become a popular trend.Picture: Instagram

The beauty world is getting a little more playful, a little more whimsical and a whole lot more sparkly. 

Gemstones are no longer reserved for jewellery boxes; they are making themselves at home on our clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, and even food.

How did the trend even begin? Well, it all started with Kylie Jenner, who held her birthday eve celebrations for her 29th birthday early this month, and it turned out to be a very sparkly occasion.

She had three birthday cakes, but only one of them got the internet talking.

The media personality has seemingly inspired a whole new fashion trend thanks to one of her birthday cakes that was bedazzled with colourful and bright gemstones.

The 90s-inspired birthday was full of bedazzled decorations, with everything having stick-on gemstones.

Kylie Jenner's birthday cake that took social media by storm.
Kylie Jenner's birthday cake that took social media by storm.Picture: Instagram

Although they resemble the nostalgia-inducing peel-and-stick gem sheets familiar to millennials, it is doubtful they were safe to eat; nevertheless, everyone is going crazy for them.

People are adding whimsy and colour to their lives by decorating several things in their homes that you would have never thought of.

Scroll through to read more about the gemstone trend that is taking social media by storm

The bedazzled cake

Cakes remain the ultimate favourite. Each year brings new decorating trends, such as last year's viral vintage piping, wild florals, and bows that dominated social media and were at nearly every birthday celebration.

For 2025, the viral cake is the bedazzled gemstone cake that is having a moment on social media. From one tier to several tiers of a cake, people are bedazzling their cakes.

Since the gemstones are covering the entire cake, the cake itself, before getting decorated, remains very basic, with the primary colour being white.

A birthday cake decorated with gemstones.
A birthday cake decorated with gemstones.Picture: Instagram

Girls just wanna have fun

The beauty world has also entered the chat in the gemstone trend.

Women are now incorporating gemstones into their routines, turning a long and sometimes dreadful ritual into something a little more magical.

On social media, we see multiple sheet masks being decorated with colourful gemstones, making their skincare feel less like a chore and more like a moment of self-care. Even beauty products are not being left behind.

Beauty products have entered the chat in the gemstone trend.
Beauty products have entered the chat in the gemstone trend.Picture: Instagram

A matcha or coffee, perhaps with a dash of colour?

Yes, even food is not being left behind because the modern and minimalistic cups of coffee or matcha also receive a little bit of a makeover.

Cups are also being embellished on the outside with vibrant, colourful gems, bringing a fun and playful touch to the drink's appearance.

I’m not gonna lie, it is quite aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Coffee and matcha cups are getting decorated with gemstones.
Coffee and matcha cups are getting decorated with gemstones.Picture: Instagram

A little sparkle for your fingertips

When it comes to trendy decorations, it is highly unlikely that nails get left behind. Considering how versatile they are, most people always decorate their nails with trending items.

However, in this case, gemstones on nails have always existed long before the gemstone trend took over social media.

The gemstone trend is taking over social media by storm.
The gemstone trend is taking over social media by storm.Picture: Instagram

Depending on one’s preference, people either go big or opt for small gemstones - well, rhinestones, to be specific for their nails.

Would you hop on the gemstone trend, or is it a bit too much for your liking?

kamogelo.makhura@nationalmg.co.za