You’ve seen the claws. Those four-inch, Swarovski-encrusted stilettos that look like they could either perform heart surgery or slice through a bank vault. They aren't just nails; they are a tax bracket. When Cardi B flickers her fingers in a music video or grips a microphone at the Grammys, the sparkle is usually the work of one woman: Jenny Bui.
Honestly, the relationship between Cardi and Jenny is one of the most loyal bonds in Hollywood. While other stars swap stylists like they’re changing outfits, Cardi has stuck with Jenny for over a decade. It’s not just about the "bling." It’s a deep-rooted New York story that started long before the Diamond plaques and the Hermès Birkin collections.
The Woman Behind the Cardi B Nail Tech Legend
If you think being a celebrity nail tech is all about glitz, you haven't heard Jenny Bui's story. It is heavy.
Jenny is a survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. She escaped a literal genocide as a child, lived through starvation, and trekked through mountains littered with landmines before eventually making it to the Bronx. When she talks about her "hard work ethic," she isn't using a corporate buzzword. She means it.
She opened her first shop with just $3,000. In the early days, she dealt with racist customers and people who would literally run out of the salon without paying. She didn't quit. Instead, she leaned into a very specific niche: extreme bling.
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How They Met
Back in 2012, Cardi B wasn’t "Cardi B" yet. She was a popular dancer at a club called Sioux’s. She walked into Jenny’s Harlem salon (Nails on 7th) looking for someone who could handle the length and the weight of the crystals she wanted.
Jenny was already known in the neighborhood as the only person who wouldn't tell a girl "no" when it came to 3D charms and heavy stones. They clicked instantly. Cardi has famously called Jenny her "second mom," and the loyalty goes both ways. Even when Cardi’s fame skyrocketed, she never left the woman who treated her like a queen when she was still just a girl from the Bronx with a dream.
What a Cardi B Manicure Actually Costs
Let's get into the numbers because everyone wants to know how much it costs to look like "Money."
Cardi once hopped on Instagram to break down her beauty budget. She basically told the world that the $17 nail sets from the early 2000s are dead and gone. For a full set of Swarovski-studded acrylics, you’re looking at anywhere from **$200 to $500**, depending on the complexity.
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- The Time: These aren't 45-minute "in and out" jobs. A signature Cardi set can take three to five hours.
- The Length: We’re talking 2 to 4.5 inches.
- The Ingredients: Jenny uses her own line, Jenny Secret, including a specialized adhesive that ensures those crystals don't pop off during a performance.
If you’re a "regular" person heading to Jenny’s Spa in the Bronx, a standard set might start lower, but if you want the full Cardi experience, you better bring your checkbook and a fully charged phone to kill time in the chair.
The "Bling" Philosophy: Why It Isn't Just Tacky
A lot of high-fashion minimalists used to turn their noses up at these designs. Then the 2018 Met Gala happened.
Jenny designed a set for Cardi that featured pearls and gold beads to match her Moschino gown. It was a turning point. Suddenly, "ghetto fabulous" was being rebranded as "maximalist art" by the same people who used to ignore it.
Why the style works:
- Jewelry Replacement: Cardi often skips rings because the nails are the jewelry.
- Structural Integrity: Doing nails that long requires a specific "C-curve" so they don't snap and hurt the natural nail bed.
- The Sound: If you’re a fan of ASMR, you know the "Cardi tap." That specific "clack" is only possible with high-quality, dense acrylic and heavy stones.
Where Is Jenny Bui Now?
As of 2026, Jenny is still the go-to. She operates Jenny’s Spa in the Fordham section of the Bronx and has had locations in Harlem. She’s also a massive influencer in her own right, with over a million followers and a partnership with Swarovski.
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She isn't just sitting in a back room, though. She spends a lot of time educating younger nail techs. She teaches them how to use nail software like Booksy to manage their business and, more importantly, how to stand their ground in an industry that can be pretty cutthroat.
How to Get the Look Without the Celeb Price Tag
You might not have $500 to drop every three weeks, and that’s fine. Most of us don't. But you can still pull inspiration from the Cardi B nail tech blueprint.
- Focus on the "Accent" Nail: If a full set of crystals is too much, do the ring finger. It’s the classic 2010s move that still looks expensive.
- Invest in Quality Adhesive: If you're doing DIY press-ons, don't use the cheap glue. Use a UV-cured rhinestone gel.
- Shape Matters: If you want that Cardi vibe, you have to go stiletto or "tapered coffin." A square nail just doesn't carry the "bling" the same way.
The biggest takeaway from the Cardi and Jenny saga isn't about the diamonds, though. It's about the fact that even at the highest levels of fame, there is room for loyalty to the people who saw your vision before anyone else did.
Your Next Steps for High-Bling Nails
If you're serious about trying this style, start by looking for a "Level 3" nail artist in your city who specializes in 3D encapsulation. Ask to see their work with "charms" specifically—anyone can glue on a flat rhinestone, but it takes a pro to balance a 3D teddy bear or a gold chain on a stiletto tip without it feeling lopsided. Check their Instagram for "retention" photos to make sure their work actually stays on for more than three days. High-quality work should last at least three to four weeks if the tech is using professional-grade monomers and polymers.