Thanks to Fanatic Nicole, I have a fab offer to share with you. Lifebooker, the online resource for all your health and beauty appointment needs, has an offshoot site Lifebooker Loot that is a lot like Groupon. They offer exclusive deals for a short period of time on beauty and health services.
Today’s Lifebooker Loot is for a Minx Manicure at Vada Spa in the West Village for only $28 (including tax). The deal ends February 10th at Midnight EST so if you’ve been dying to try Minx, here’s your chance.
ps. Boo to whoever stole my Minx pic and Katy Perry’s to promote the deal!
Happy Friday Fanatics! I know things have been a bit quite here on ALU but it’s been a crazeballs week for me. Thanks for your emails to check in on me! You are all so sweet! Since I’m getting ready for my trip to NYC for New York Fashion Week I’ve been running errands and doing a lot of behind the scenes type work this week. Plus, my nails were looking pretty beat so a little nail R&R was in order.
However, I’ve received quite a few emails and tweets about Rihanna’s nails at the Grammys. Someone wondered if she was wearing some crazy CalGel design, traditional nail art or Minx. Those of you who guessed Minx were dead on the money (no pun intended) and thanks to the people at Minx and Celebrity Manicurists like Kimmie Kyees, I’ve got the scoop! Rihanna, Beyonce and Keri Hilson all rocked Minx on the Grammy red carpet, check out the detailed pics after the jump!
Click here to view more pictures and read the rest of this story.
 Well this certainly is a surprise. I always check out the Chanel runway shows with the hopes of catching a glimpse of their next big nail color. Don’t get me wrong, I love to gawk at the clothes as well but I beeline for the up close shots of the nails.
Today’s Spring/Summer Couture runway was no different. And what do I see? Silver chrome, mirror-finish manicures to compliment the heavy metallic accessories, shoes and garment details. I love the look but it seems so NOT Chanel to use products other than their own. So what does this mean?
A. Chanel has given into the Minx trend and gone foil on us.
B. They had extra bottles of Kaleidoscope on hand for the show (Remember, lighting changes how polish looks so it could be Kaleidoscope).
C. We’ll be seeing a new super metallic silver from Chanel Le Vernis come Fall. |
What do you think? Nail polish or foil? In your Chanel metallic dream world would you rather see Kaleidoscope come back or a brand new foil-like Chanel silver polish?
image credit: Vogue UK
ALU Fanatic Angelica shared (via Facebook) this post from Perez Hilton about Katy Perry’s latest tattoo. Of course us nail girls will immediately notice her colorful, frisky tips.
Katy posted that image on Twitter via TwitPic where she originally shared a snap of her mani a little over a week ago (below). See, that’s the fun of Twitter folks. If you haven’t embraced it, get on board. If for no other reason than to win some polish from yours truly.
A quick search of the Minx website confirmed that Katy is indeed wearing the popular nail stickers. As you may recall, I tried out Minx last December and while I enjoyed the look, I had issues with lifting not long after. But if you inspect Katy’s pic from today (above), her nails have grown out some yet the Minx are intact. Makes me wonder if they’ve improved the product since then or if it was just a bad application by my nail tech.
What do you think Fanatics? Are you over Minx? Loving Minx? How are we feeling about Katy’s nails? Has anyone had great success wearing Minx on their fingers? I’ve heard raves about them on toes. Sound off!
Minx Nails are the latest trend in celebrity nails. A flexible polymer that is heated then applied to nails, like a sticker, they are a mess free, green alternative to nail polish and fake tips. I first discovered Minx last January when Nails Magazine celebrated their Silver Anniversary by featuring silver lightening Minx on the cover. Since that time, Minx have exploded on to the celebrity and fashion scene. They’ve been popping up at red carpet events, in music videos and on the runways. Celebrity manicurists love Minx for their fashion forward designs and ease of use.
Chrome Minx – Forget trying to get that perfect mirror finish with a chrome/metallic nail polish. It’s NEVER going to happen. Well never say never but you know what I mean. Minx Silver and Golden Lightening is the only way to get a true chrome look on nails without going the fake/press on route.
Christina Aguilera at the VMAs, Pink performing on GMA and Blake Lively at the Nina Ricci After Party for the Met Ball – all wearing Silver Lightening. Beyonce with Golden Lightening tips for the “Single Ladies” video.
Custom/Patterned Minx – For the nail art lover or fashionista, designer Minx is the way to go. With over 100 different patterns to choose from, there is a Minx for every occasion but for a very specific look, Minx can create custom designs. You can even have your favorite photos turned into a Minx nail coating. For example, during the election, celebrity manicurist Lisa Logan requested custom Obama Minx; one set with his last name and one with his face.
Beyonce wearing custom metallic tartan at the Cadillac Records premier, Rihanna’s custom black with silver lightening polka dots for the AMAs, Eve’s Obama face nail at the Chanel Mobile Art exhibit and Solange wearing Obama Minx.
Fashion Shows – At LA Fashion Week, Christian Audigier called upon celebrity manicurist Kimmie Kyees to design plaid and American flag tips for his American Lord show. With practically no notice it was Minx to the rescue. Working through the night, they were able to create and deliver custom designs for 300 tips. It took 8 hours and help from Minx’s LA trainer Naja Rickette, celebrity “green” manicurist Jenna Hipp and her friend Steph to apply the coating in time but they got it done. Could you imagine if they tried to paint the designs by hand? Impossible!
Celebrity manicurist Kimmie Kyees at work backstage.
Designer Christian Audigier and models from the American Lord show at LA Fashion Week
Having read about Minx for quite some time now, I was itching to get them on my hands. A few months ago I checked the Minx Salon Finder to see that my closest Minx Pro was in Pennsylvania, a two hour drive from the Cleveburg. Boo! Fortunately, I’m persistent and kept checking the site only to find that a few weeks ago a new Minx stylist was added in my area. Yay!
So this past Saturday, despite the falling snow and slippery roads, I trekked on down to Stow, Ohio to meet with Telia Anderson at the Gavin Scott Salon & Spa. Telia has been using Minx on herself and her co-workers for quite some time now but I was pleased to be her first real Minx client. Since it’s the holidays and because Minx is known for their chrome look coatings, I had to get Golden Lightening. As you can see below, the coatings come on a sheet with various sizes, similar to the Avon Instant Manicure or Sephora Nail Patch.
What makes Minx different from the nail stickers you can buy in the store is the material and the adhesive. I don’t know about any of you but I’ve tried the Avon and Incoco versions and could never get them to stick or lay properly. Plus, they just looked cheap. Minx is definitely a higher end product.
Application – A basic manicure is performed before application and the nail plate must be cleaned of all oils and residue. The coatings are heated under a lamp or hair dryer to make them flexible and warm the adhesive. The tech then lines up the rounded edge with the cuticle and, while lightly dragging, presses the coating onto the nail. Telia used a hair dryer, after applying, to help the coatings seal onto my nails, like shrink wrap, before using the Minx glass nail file to remove the excess.
And here is the final result….
How incredibly cool does that look? I mean, talk about bling!! I’ve been getting compliments left and right. I think Telia did an amazing job, especially since I was her first. You know, I’m not normally into this type of look but since my nails are short it’s not gaudy or crazy looking. On long nails, I think it would be extremely tacky and over the top. Best left to the editorial world.
Now while I’m loving look of Minx and think Golden Lightening is super fun, there are definitely some pluses and minuses to wearing them.
Pros
- Easy to apply – There’s no mess, no wait time, no accidental smudging or sheet marks
- Looks you can’t acheive with polish – True chrome, intricate patterns, your dog (if that’s your thing)
- Perfect for pedicures – They last forever on toes. With no drying time they’re ideal for winter pedis. You’d never have to leave the salon in flip flops with frozen toes. FYI – I saw Telia’s toes with Golden Lightening and they looked beyond fab!
- A “green” product that doesn’t use chemicals for application or removal. Just a little heat and some gentle peeling takes Minx right off.
Cons
- No matter how much you file, the edges are never truly smooth
- On tips, they start lifting after a couple days
- The line at the cuticle is rounded so they won’t match every nail shape
- Cost – The $40 I paid is at the low end of the price range which makes them great for special occasions but not practical for everyday wear.
If you want to try Minx for yourself, look for a salon using the Minx Salon Finder. Cleveland area fanatics can call Telia at the Gavin Scott Salon & Spa (330-650-4450) to book an appointment.
What do you think kids? Would you try Minx? Have you tried Minx? Is the gold fun and hip or not so much? I want to hear what you think.
image credit: Minx Nails, Kimmie Kyees and All Lacquered Up.
***Please do not republish without permission.***
Thanks to Fanatic Nicole, I have a fab offer to share with you. Lifebooker, the online resource for all your health and beauty appointment needs, has an offshoot site Lifebooker Loot that is a lot like Groupon. They offer exclusive deals for a short period of time on beauty and health services.
I’m wearing Rimmel’s 60 second nail polish in Camouflage. My first time...
