Bedazzling a pair of high heels with rhinestones turns plain shoes into a showstopping, one-of-a-kind pair for a wedding, prom or party. This step-by-step guide walks you through a flowing teardrop crystal design using genuine Swarovski crystals in Siam red, from priming the glue to filling the final gaps. Adapt the colour and coverage to suit your own shoes.
It is an intermediate project that rewards patience and a steady hand, and the design photos below show each stage. Here is everything you need, then the full method.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Time: A few hours per pair, plus overnight to cure
- Crystals used: Swarovski flatbacks in Siam, in SS16, SS12 and SS5
- Best crystal type: Non-hotfix flatbacks, glue-set to the shoe
What you'll need
Quantities suit the teardrop design shown, so scale them to your shoes and coverage. Add the crystals, glue and tools to your cart from the cards below. The wax picker and sorting trays are reusable across every project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
- High heels, faux suede or fabricYour base, clean and dry1 pair
- Swarovski Rhinestones SS16, SiamMain fill1,440
- Swarovski Rhinestones SS12, SiamOutline edge500
- Swarovski Rhinestones SS5, SiamFilling gaps50
- Supertite Fusion Glue KitFabric adhesive with syringe1
- Wax Crystal Picker ToolPlacing crystals1
- Magic Sorting TrayOne per crystal size3
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
£7.99 Excl. VAT
£1.95 Excl. VAT
£5.12 Excl. VAT
Not sure how many crystals you need? Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by surface area.
How to bedazzle high heels
Step 1: Prepare the shoes
Make sure each shoe is completely clean and dry. The best glue depends on the material: the faux suede here suits Supertite Fusion Tac, a flexible industrial-strength fabric glue. For smooth or patent shoes, use E6000 instead.
Step 2: Fill the glue syringe
Fill the syringe with only as much glue as you need. The easiest way is to remove the plunger, then squeeze glue gently down one inside wall of the tube so it runs to the bottom without blocking the open end, letting air escape. Reinsert the plunger carefully; it is airtight, so you will feel resistance, and it is seated when it pops into place.
Step 3: Clear any air bubbles
You will usually have a pocket of air left in the syringe. Hold it upright so the glue settles away from the tip, then gently push the plunger to expel the air until only glue remains. Fit the needle tip and the syringe is ready for precise application.
Step 4: Plan the design
Sketch your outline before applying crystals. Here the design is a teardrop motif curving around the back of the shoe and tapering into the heel, mirrored on the inside and outside of both shoes. Mark the straight vertical from heel to top as a reference, then draw the curve with glue so that at its widest it sits about 1cm from that vertical.
Step 5: Apply the outline
Use the SS12 Siam crystals to follow the curve all the way down into the heel, as the smaller size gives a smoother outer edge. Do this stage on both shoes before going further, so the pair stays even.
Step 6: Fill the design
Switch to SS16 Siam and build inwards one row at a time, like rings in a tree. The rows will meet in the middle of the heel, which may leave small gaps to resolve later. Keep going until you reach the centre, then finish it with a swirl, like a fingerprint.
Step 7: Spot-fill the gaps
Where an SS16 stone was too big for the last bit of space, use SS5 Siam and the precision of the syringe to drop in tiny crystals until the gaps disappear. Check both shoes against each other for symmetry as you go, then leave them to cure overnight.
Frequently asked questions
How many crystals do I need to cover high heels?
This design used around 1,440 SS16 stones for the main fill, 500 SS12 for the outline and 50 SS5 to close gaps, so roughly 2,000 across a pair. Full coverage of a larger heel needs more. Use our Crystal Calculator to estimate by area before you buy.
What glue works best for rhinestones on shoes?
It depends on the material. Fabric and faux suede shoes, like the pair here, grip best with a flexible fabric glue such as Supertite Fusion Tac. Smooth, patent or leather shoes do better with E6000. Whatever you use, the shoe must be clean and dry first.
Can I bedazzle any type of shoe?
Most, yes. Fabric, suede and leather all take crystals well with the right glue. Very smooth or plasticky surfaces need a light buff and a stronger adhesive so the stones grip. Match the glue to the material rather than using one for everything.
Should I use hotfix or non-hotfix crystals?
Non-hotfix (glue-set). Hotfix crystals need heat to activate their backing, which you cannot safely apply to most shoes, so glue-set flatbacks are the right choice for footwear.
Will the crystals stay on when I wear the shoes?
The heel and back take knocks, so use a strong flexible glue, press each stone firmly and let the shoes cure overnight before wearing. Keep a few spare crystals to touch up the odd one over time, as with any worn embellishment.
Which crystals should I use?
We used premium Swarovski in Siam for maximum sparkle and a true red. You can also use Czech-made Preciosa, our own Austrian-made Serinity, or budget Estella, depending on your finish. Stick to one brand across a pair so the colour matches.
Make it your own
The teardrop is just one option. Try a heel-only accent, a scattered gradient, or a two-tone design, and pick a colour to match your outfit. For more footwear, see our guides to adding rhinestones to shoes and bedazzling prom heels. If you make shoes to sell, you can apply for a trade discount on bulk orders, or explore more makes in the Craft Studio.
