Meet Rachel Sun | Nail Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Sun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, what inspires you?
Initially, I gravitated toward experimenting with 3D textures and shapes, stepping away from traditional 2D designs. My goal was to push the limits of what a nail extension could be. Some of my favorite pieces involve encapsulating objects like scales, beads, and dried flowers within sculpted cat claw-shaped nails. Nature has always been my greatest inspiration, whether it’s the beauty in decay, the patterns in minerals, the structure of ribcages, or the subtle details of bruising. Alongside these natural elements, I’ve sought to recreate the beauty and complexity of the human nail, crafting hyperrealistic, natural-looking extensions.
I also draw inspiration from a wide range of artists across various mediums. While I often look towards other nail artists for inspiration, I also love pulling ideas from artists using other mediums such as ceramicists, jewelers, and textile artists. Whether it’s the intricate patterns on a hand-sculpted structure, the texture of a piece jewelry, or the interesting construction used in textile design, their creativity fuels my own.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I never set out to pursue a career in nail art—or even a creative career at all. I graduated with a degree in political science, focusing on international relations, and started doing nail art as a hobby. Now, nearly two years into this journey, it’s transformed my life in ways I never expected. I’m incredibly grateful to have collaborated with influential artists like Noah Cyrus and Doechii early on, whose encouragement to embrace creativity and unconventional designs has meant so much.

What sets me apart, I think, is my love for unconventional aesthetics. I’m drawn to what others might call “ugly” or “grotesque”—mold textures, bruised nails, post-apocalyptic grunge—and find ways to merge these with more traditional, “pretty” elements of nail art. For example, I’ve created pierced orchid 3D nails and pink bows on 3D sculpted teeth. Instead of aiming to be different, I prefer to pull inspiration from every corner of art, blending them to create new genres and intersections.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I were to plan the perfect trip to LA, I’d start by saying—it’s all about checking the traffic and figuring out where you’re going, since it can completely change how you approach your day. For shopping, I love Shop925, Terminal 27, and any of the 2nd Street shops. If you’re into body adornments—tattoos, piercings, tooth gems—@girlxfriend is the place to go. I’m also a huge fan of the Sawtelle neighborhood. It’s has an amazing catalogue of Japanese stores, restaurants, and markets that’s perfect for strolling around. For a low effort night, my favorite is Eighty-Two for some vintage pinball and arcade games—it’s only a dollar a play. And of course, I’d wrap up the day with some late-night eats and maybe a pop-up event or something cool happening in the area; I always check the account @5pmlucky for ideas and weekend events.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A huge thank you to @marggie.nails for her brilliant work on the “Kogti” or cat claw nails. She not only pioneered the modern cat claw nail shape that I often draw inspiration from, but also was one of the first artists to incorporate natural elements into these designs, beautifully encapsulating objects from nature within the claws themselves. Her creativity continues to inspire me.

Website: Email: rachel@allhailthynail.com

Instagram: @allhailthynail

Image Credits
Nick Morano @mudcakedshoes