To bedazzle sunglasses, you place tiny dots of glue exactly where each stone will sit, wait for them to turn tacky, then set a flatback crystal onto every dot with a wax picker and let the pair cure overnight. In this tutorial we embellish pink frames with Swarovski non-hotfix flatback crystals in Vintage Rose across three sizes, a sweetly tonal take on the Barbiecore trend.
The glue dot method is what makes this project so beginner-friendly, and the same approach works on any frames; for more on glasses styles and materials see our guide to rhinestoning your eyewear. As an official Authorised Swarovski Distribution Partner, every crystal we supply comes direct from Swarovski in Austria, available to everyone with no minimum order.
Project at a glance
- Difficulty: Absolute beginner, dot by dot
- Time: Half an hour of placing, plus 24 hours curing
- Crystals used: Swarovski flatback rhinestones in Vintage Rose, SS5, SS9 and SS12
- Technique: Glue dot placement, balanced rather than symmetrical
What you'll need
Fifty stones cover the pair shown. Add the crystals, glue and tools to your cart from the cards below. The picker, tray and syringe are reusable across every project, so browse the full range of tools and accessories to build your kit.
- Your sunglasses, clean and dryPink frames shown, any pair works1 pair
- Swarovski Flatback Crystals SS5, Vintage RoseFine accents20
- Swarovski Flatback Crystals SS9, Vintage RoseMid stones20
- Swarovski Flatback Crystals SS12, Vintage RoseStatement stones10
- E6000 Plus Glue Kit (glue, syringe and tips)Tiny precise dots of glue1
- Wax Crystal Picker ToolPicking and placing1
- Magic Sorting TrayHolding the three sizes1
Shop this project
Everything you need for this build. Quantities are a guide, so adjust to your design.
From £2.23 Excl. VAT
£1.95 Excl. VAT
£5.12 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: Prepare your workspace
Find a clean, well-lit area and lay down a soft cloth, or rest the sunglasses on a protected surface, so the lenses pick up no scratches while you work.
Step 2: Prepare the frames
Make sure the sunglasses are completely clean and dry, and work with freshly washed hands so no new oils reach the surface before the glue goes on.
Step 3: Place the glue dots
Fill the syringe from the glue kit part way with E6000 Plus and place tiny dots of glue on the frames wherever you want a rhinestone, then allow 10 minutes for the dots to become tacky. Individual dots dry quicker than a spread layer, giving you approximately half an hour of working time before the glue starts setting, with a full cure taking 24 hours.
Step 4: Place the rhinestones
Tip the three sizes into the Magic Sorting Tray and use the Wax Picker Tool to set each rhinestone individually onto its dot of glue. Add extra stones as you see fit: the final design wants to feel balanced without needing to be strictly symmetrical.
Step 5: Check your work and leave to dry
Once every dot is covered, step back and view the glasses from a distance, adding or removing stones while the glue is still wet and changes are easy. When you are happy, leave the sunglasses to dry overnight so nothing gets knocked out of position before the glue fully cures.
Step 6: Final polish
When the glue has completely dried, wipe the rhinestones with a cloth or tissue to remove any waxy residue left by the picker pen, and the full sparkle comes back.
Frequently asked questions
How do you bedazzle sunglasses?
Clean the frames and work with freshly washed hands, then place tiny individual dots of glue exactly where you want each stone, wait 10 minutes for them to turn tacky, and set a flatback crystal onto each dot with a wax picker. Check the balance from a distance, adjust while wet, then dry overnight.
What glue works on sunglasses?
E6000 Plus, applied as tiny dots from a syringe. It grips plastic and acetate frames, dries clear, and stays slightly flexible so stones survive everyday handling. Cleanliness matters as much as the glue: wash your hands and make sure the frames are completely free of oils before you start.
Why use glue dots instead of a layer?
Individual dots turn tacky quicker than a spread layer and put each crystal exactly where you planned it, which suits the slim curved surfaces of a sunglasses frame. Dots give you around half an hour of working time before the glue starts setting, with a full cure in 24 hours.
How do you remove wax residue from crystals?
Once the glue has fully cured, simply wipe the stones with a soft cloth or tissue. The wax picker pen can leave a faint waxy film on the crystal surface as you place each stone, and that final polish is what brings the full sparkle back.
How many crystals do I need for sunglasses?
The design shown took 50 Swarovski crystals in Vintage Rose, 20 in SS5, 20 in SS9 and 10 in SS12, scattered for balance rather than strict symmetry along the frames. Quantities depend on your design, so plan the dots first and use the Crystal Calculator on our website to estimate by stone size.
Make it your own
Vintage Rose on pink is tonal and sweet, but Crystal AB on black frames reads classic Hollywood, and a single jewelled corner is an elegant minimal take. For more summer accessory makes, see how to bedazzle Nike trainers, or explore the full Craft Studio.
