After
Veronica's Minx post, we were contacted by a couple Minx nail stylists - both offering their services of course. Based on her name alone - The Minxanista (how freakin' hot is that?) was our
Minx professionelle of choice.
So... How was it?
First, let me say that the process itself is the simplest form of nail decor I've ever seen in my natural born life. LOL. As I tried to explain it to the Bradster and my guy-friends, they ALL replied something to the likes of "You have on Lee Press-On Nails for 2009? *blank stare*" Silly boys.
Anyways, the Minxanista began by giving me the standard manicure treatment - filing and shaping my nails, coniditioning my nail bed, the works. It provided a great foundation for any nail treatment PLUS gave me time to go through her book of Minx designs.
(image pulled from Google)
She had houndstooth, leopard, plaid, checkered, some sort of floral pattern, and even a "It's A Boy/Girl!" for new Mommys-in-Minx *hint, hint*. LOL. Honestly, with all the choices I beyond overwhelmed. Veniece (The Minxanista) suggested I stick with the metallics as they're the most popular, she also pulled out an old copy of Ebony with a celeb cover rocking the Minx. Who was it? Beyonce, my celebrity BFF. I had a tough time deciding on which metallic (or "electric" in Minx-speak) color: gold, silver or red. At the end of the day, my Delta style won and I decided to rock the Red. OO-OOP to my Sorors!
Now on to the application process, a Minx applique is removed from the sheet and placed under a heating lamp. You can see it start to grow limp as it takes on the heat of the lamp. The heated applique is then placed on your finger-tips, smoothed to perfection and set to cool. Multiple this by 10. After all have been applied, they are smoothed over once more with a smoothing stick (??) and then trimmed to fit your nail perfectly.
This is where things got a bit difficult for me. Due to the curvature of my nails and their width (wide as ever!), all of the appliques didn't "smooth" at the tip. There was a bit of bunching. It didn't affect the overall look of the nails at all, but it did start to bother me as it made my nails highly susceptible to an early peel-off. (You peel to remove.) It also started to snag at my clothes which got annoying as well. However, a few of my nails were smoothed perfectly and proved to be no problem. (If you know me, you know that I cannot stand nail imperfections, a snag will drive me to go and purchase a nail clipper and file on the spot!)
Even with the slight snags, which probably wouldn't happen to most, the nails themselves were effin' fabulous. If I had a dime for every compliment I received, I'd be writing this post from a beach in a faraway luxurious island. (Maybe not, but I'd be doing something nice, that's for sure!) When I paid for things at the store, the cashier would grab my hands. I tried on shoes and got more compliments on my nails as they took OFF the shoes than I did with the shoes on! I talk with my hands so darn near every conversation I had was interrupted by an "OMG! Your nails?!?! They're gorgeous!" I thought that by them being red, it wouldn't stand out as much, but clearly I was WRONG.
The Minxanista said they'd last 5-7 days, which they did - even with the snags. (Which leads me to believe that if your nails don't bunch, they'll last 7days+) I washed dishes once and did regular living, and the nails withstood the pressure of it all.
Check out the Minx as I finish a full Corona! I'm still not a fan of beer.
At $45 for a full-set, with 5-7days being the average length of duration, Minx definitely wouldn't be my weekly deal. BUT would they be the perfect nail accessory for a special occasion, event, or even a sweet & simple Soiree?
Abso-effin'-lutely.
The Minxanista can be found at the
Tip Toe Nail Studio (inside Salon Concepts) in Olde Montgomery by appointment only. Tell her that The Fabulous Duo sent you!
xoxoxo,
Katelyn
