Want a quick way to give your shades some star quality? This guide shows you how to bedazzle sunglasses with Swarovski non-hotfix flatback crystals, adding a few well placed rhinestones to the frames for an instant, glamorous summer upgrade.
It is a beginner-friendly make that takes about half an hour, with just a dot of glue per stone. As an Authorised Swarovski Distribution Partner, Bluestreak Crystals supplies the complete genuine range, sourced directly from Austria with reliable colour matching, so every stone sits bright and true. Here is everything you need, then the full method.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Time: 30 minutes, plus 12 hours to dry
- Crystals used: Swarovski 2088 flatbacks in Vintage Rose, SS30
- Best crystal type: Non-hotfix flatbacks, glue-set to the frames
What you'll need
Quantities suit a subtle accent on each side, so scale them up if you want fuller coverage. A retail pack of SS30 holds 20 crystals, plenty for a pair with spares. Add the crystals, glue and tools to your cart from the cards below. The picker and tray are reusable across every project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
- Sunglasses (your own), clean and dryYour base1
- Swarovski 2088 Flatbacks SS30, Vintage RoseFrame accents, about 10 used20 (1 retail pack)
- E6000 Plus Glue KitAdhesive with syringe and tips1
- Wax Crystal Picker PenPlacing crystals1
- Magic Sorting TrayOrganising crystals1
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
From £2.23 Excl. VAT
£5.12 Excl. VAT
£1.95 Excl. VAT
£9.53 Excl. VAT
Not sure how many crystals you need? Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by surface area.
How to bedazzle sunglasses
Step 1: Sort your crystals and prepare the glue
Place your crystals into a magic sorting tray, then prepare your syringe with E6000 glue so everything is ready before you start.
Step 2: Place a dot of glue for each crystal
Place a small dot of glue for each crystal you are adding. We used five on each side, but you can add more or fewer. Keep the glue to a small amount, as too much looks messy and can spill out from under the crystals.
Step 3: Let the glue turn tacky
Leave the glue to get tacky for about five minutes. The surface of the sunglasses is very smooth, so the flatbacks will slip around if the glue is still too wet.
Step 4: Apply the crystals
Carefully place each crystal, pressing it firmly into its dot of glue to secure it.
Step 5: Adjust and leave to dry
Adjust any crystals while the glue is still tacky, as you will not be able to move them once it dries. Then leave the sunglasses to dry fully for twelve hours.
Frequently asked questions
How do you bedazzle sunglasses?
Place a small dot of glue where each crystal will sit, let it turn tacky for a few minutes, then press a flatback crystal firmly onto each dot. Keep the glue sparing on the smooth frames, adjust while tacky, and leave to dry fully before wearing.
How many crystals do you need for sunglasses?
Very few for a subtle accent, around five per side, so a single pack is plenty. For fuller coverage along the arms you will need more. Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by area before you buy, and keep a couple of spares.
What glue works best on sunglasses?
A flexible, strong adhesive such as E6000. The frames are smooth, so use a small dot per crystal and let it turn tacky before pressing each stone on, which stops them sliding. Make sure the frames are clean and grease-free first so the glue grips.
Should I use hotfix or non-hotfix crystals on sunglasses?
Non-hotfix, glue-set flatbacks. Sunglasses are usually plastic or acetate, which you must not heat, so hotfix crystals are not suitable. Glue-set non-hotfix crystals bond safely to the frames without any risk of warping the lenses or arms.
Will the crystals stay on my sunglasses?
Yes, once the glue has fully cured. Press each stone firmly into its dot of glue and leave it a full twelve hours before wearing. Avoid knocking the frames or leaving them in a hot car, and keep a few spare crystals to replace any that work loose.
Can I change the crystal colour?
Yes. Vintage Rose gives a soft, pretty look, but any shade works, so match it to your frames or outfit. We used premium Swarovski here; you can also use our own Austrian made Serinity, Czech made Preciosa or budget Estella.
Make it your own
Add a subtle sparkle to each side, run crystals along the arms, or pick out a two-tone gradient. For more summer makes, see our beach bag and denim shorts projects, or explore the full Craft Studio.
