Minx turns fingertips and toes into works of art (From Bournemouth Echo)

Minx turns fingertips and toes into works of art

9:00am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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IT’S the one thing I have in common with Claudia Schiffer. We both hate our feet. (Apparently the supermodel insists on a body double for shots of her plates of meat).

But now I’ve learned to love my toes and it’s all thanks to a new nail art phenomenon called Minx. This celebrity inspired trend has turned fingertips and toes into elaborate works of art.

Beyoncé, Kylie and Rihanna have all been getting their digits “minxed” with intricate designs. Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas has her name on hers.

For although nail art has been growing in popularity since the 1990s, latest advances in technology have taken it to a whole new level.

And like all the best ideas in life it is relatively simple. Minx, created in California, is a solid nail coating made of film, not polish and is available in hundreds of radical designs from polka dots and animal prints to neon colours, 3-D effects, tartan, stripes and sparkly metallics.

The heat-activated adhesive backing seals the film onto the nail so it’s waterproof, smudge-proof and hard wearing. There’s no need for a top or base coat so there’s no drying time either.

Venetia Hildreth, a professional nail technician based in Westbourne, says she is almost working round the clock to keep up with demand.

“I’ve been in the business 20 years and I’ve never known anything like it – it’s gone mad, “ she says.

“Metallics are the most popular choice because of the wow factor but there are so many different designs you can literally co-ordinate your nails with your outfit for a special occasion.”

Venetia starts by prepping the toenails with a file and brushing on some adhesive. She then heats a long glittering strip under a lamp before moulding it onto each nail with a glass file and trimming it down to size.

There’s no discomfort or damage to the nail. It takes just over 40 minutes and then you’re ready to go.

Venetia says it should last at least five weeks if not more on your toes but fingernails need to be done just before a special occasion as they don’t last so long.

“It appeals to women of all ages – my daughter Jay who is nine and her friends love having their toe-nails done and I had a lady of 80 here the other day – she absolutely loves it too.”

Minx nails certainly have an astonishing effect on people. At first I worry it looks a bit bling but women stop you in the street, in supermarkets and parties and demand to know the technique.

I’ve just had my toes re-minxed after six weeks so for £20 it represents great value for money.

So forget the latest must-have fashion accessory – if you really want to be on trend this year girls get minxed and you’ve literally got it nailed!

AND finally: Another new nail trend to watch for is Shellac – the latest range from Creative Nail Design. It’s a hybrid between traditional nail polish and gel that dries under a UV lamp, doesn’t smell and will stay on the nails without chipping for around 14 days.