Fighting fit fingertips: the nail artist bringing custom manis to the wrestling ring
By Jess Watts | 21 May 2026 | News & Events, North America News
Nail pros have long adorned the nails of athletes, helping them get into the zone with themed designs and personalised art that speaks to their competitive spirit.
Now, one nail artist has taken that tradition somewhere new – stepping into the ring to help female wrestlers get into character…
New York-based, Japanese nail stylist, Mei Kawajiri (@nailsbymei), is known for her creative, sculptural nail artistry and an A-list clientele – having adorned the nails of celebrities such as girl group, KATSEYE, and rapper & actor, Bad Bunny.
But on May 19, the nail artist stepped out of the studio and into the ring, bringing her signature artistry to female wrestling league, Sukeban‘s sold-out World Championship Fight at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
Mei created custom nail looks for 20 female wrestlers competing on the night, with each design carefully crafted to complement their individual characters. From strawberry nail art to lace detailing and 3D embellishments, Mei produced over 400 press-on nails for the athletic entertainers.
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Sukeban – meaning ‘girl boss’ in Japanese – draws much of its inspiration from 1960s and ’70s Japanese culture, and that rich visual heritage was woven into every set Mei created.
The event marked the league’s biggest ever production, and its first return to New York City since its sold-out 2023 debut. It brought together five matches, five Tokyo stables, elaborate designer costumes and ‘a crowd that felt equal parts fashion show and punk concert’. It was ‘a bold collision of sport, style and beauty’, and the nails were very much part of the spectacle.
With 22 wrestlers to prep and a fight night schedule to keep to, maintaining a flawless finish under pressure was no small feat. Mei revealed that her secret weapon for keeping every mani looking immaculate from the first bell to the final match was Cuccio Revitalizing Milk & Honey Cuticle Oil. “The texture is so light – it’s perfect for before a fight,” she shared.
