“The concept for the ‘Hammered Metal’ nails came from trend-­spotting,” says Hillary Fry, a nail tech at ­Scenario Hair Design in Shorewood, Wis. “Looking at fashion and beauty trends, metals and textures are currently riding the crest. I’ve always had a love for the hammered metal look, and obsess over fashion designer Josie ­Natori’s hammered metal cuffs and belts. Hammered metal combines both trends, and I was interested in the ­challenge of translating this edgy, industrial look onto nails.”

A nail tech since 2009, Fry says the way the photo come together was a bit magical.  “A client loaned some very old tools to use as props. The photographer found chunks of asphalt he thought might look good as a background. When we laid it all out, the glow of the copper just popped against the stones and that wood-grained hammer handle.”

To create the nails she used CND Retention+ and copper leaf. She used rock candy to add interest to the index fingers. Click here for a step-by-step.