I don’t get manicures as often as I should, considering that wearing large rings is a requirement for my business and people are always looking at my hands. I get so bored during manicures that I delay until I realize that broken-off nails of varying lengths are distracting people from the beauty of, for instance, my Nefertiti poison ring. I’ve found it easier to get motivated when an ultra-shiny Minx manicure is a possibility. Since I got my first Minx before a special occasion in November, I can hardly wait for the next event that calls for fabulous fingernails.
Minx manicure #1: Silver, shown with Wendy Brandes Swear Rings
I like Minx because it’s perfectly opaque and shiny. Plus there’s no drying time. Minx is not a polish; it’s a film that’s applied with heat to the nails. As soon as it is sealed to the nails and shaped, you’re ready to go. No need to worry about chips or smudges.
I got my second Minx manicure in a gold pattern for New Year’s Eve.
Minx #2 for New Year's Eve. Photographed by Tina Anderson.
Having my photographically talented friend Tina take the photo above turned out to be an act of genius — as did deleting the aside about how I could never be a hand model, complete with a clip from the hand-model episode of Seinfeld — because the Minx people saw it and loved it so much that they asked to use it in their publicity kit. Tina and I agreed to let Minx use the picture in exchange for manicures and … Voila! I’m a hand model!
For my third Minx manicure, arranged by the Minx peeps, I chose a disco-ball look in honor of the Lady Gaga concert I’ll be going to this week. It turned out that this pattern is a limited edition and too expensive to be produced in commercial quantities. According to the Minx publicist, only Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce have gotten to wear it and now, me! So, when you go to Fifi Nail Salon to get your Minx done (Rina did mine, but you can also ask for Irene, the owner of the salon, as well as Monica or Josie), don’t expect to find the disco-ball pattern available.
Close-up photo by Tina Anderson.
From left to right, I'm wearing the Juana Peekaboo Skull Ring, Gravity Band, Gravity Engagement Ring, Borgia Poison Ring. Photo by Tina Anderson.
Tina got a Minx style that WILL be available. It’s from the “teaser” line and each one has two colors in it. The nails appear to be different colors in depending on the light and angle. Tina’s choice was a blue and red combination and I like that her picture shows tiny dots of both colors at once. At some angles, it’s really, really blue.
Tina's self-portrait with Minx and my Marie Antoinette ring.
A friend of the Minx publicist got a gold fishnet pattern. I had her model my Juana peekaboo skull ring.
My Juana Peekaboo Skull Ring with gold fishnet Minx. Photo by Tina Anderson.
Minx is not a DIY project unless you have more than two arms (and training). The FAQ is here and the salon locator is here. For my next Minx, I want to get the new metallic blue color. I think it should go well with a vintage ’20s blue velvet dress that I haven’t worn yet. Good excuse to haul out a new-old dress!
Separately, while I was having Tina take photos of body parts, I forced her to document a recent injury of mine.
Ouch!
If I told you how I got that, you wouldn’t believe it, so I’m not going to tell you. I assure you it was an accident and you don’t need to round up a posse to beat some bitch’s ass on my behalf. But thanks for offering! The great thing is that because Tina put all these photos on TinyPic, you can now order a mug or a child’s t-shirt or some other item with this image on it. Remember, Valentine’s Day is coming up. You’ll want to get WendyB jewelry for the person you love most. … and you’ll want to get a picture of my wounded arm on a trucker hat for the person you love least. Get on it!
UPDATED TO ADD: I talked about how long Minx lasts on my first Minx post but figured I’d reiterate it here. There is no such thing as a permanent manicure. Your nails grow and are exposed to constant abuse. You’re not going have pristine nails for six weeks. You’re paying for a fabulous look, not some kind of manicure miracle. My first manicure lasted two weeks and my second one lasted a week. Also, the Minx film needs to be removed with care, under heat. Don’t yank it off! The skills of the manicurist matter too.
*UPDATED AGAIN TO ADD: The Minx publicist just let me know that another celebrity has gotten her little fingers on my limited-edition disco-ball nails: Paris Hilton! I love you anyway, Minx people. We’ll just pretend we never had this conversation.
Looks fantastic! Perfect for Gaga!
so there’s only one manicurist here who does Minx. And she’s a pretty far drive by island standards!
I need to know where to find Minx here. That NYE mani is effing amazing!
I think I need to do the plain metallic gold or silver next…Hope your nails are holding up for tomorrow!
And suddenly I want a manicure…
Just gorgeous. Coming from NJ, in a town where the world champion nail artist had a shop, I love this!
WHAT could be better than disco ball nails? Disco ball nails and a handful of Wendy B rings!~ That’s what!
omg Wendy, these manicures are amazzzing.
My nails are SUPER weird, in that they take days to dry. You think I kid? I do NOT kid. So I’m really intrigued by these Minx manicures … I wonder if they’re just what my finicky nails need.
My anti-spam word is “cadbury”. Has this site been taken over by Kraft?
I hate getting manicures…too boring. But, this looks great and what do you know?! They actually have two locations in El Paso which offer Minx.
Can the swear rings be made in “faux gold”
I really really need a proper job and fast as I so want at least 4 rings – I dream about them! This post has sent me over edge in frustration!
i really want/need some of your jewelry! and I NEED a minx mani ASAP!!!
Love Minx nails! Grumpy I’m now too far to get them. My faves are your New Year’s nails. And to think that you’re now part of the Beyonce, J-Lo, WendyB triumvirate! 🙂
I’m proud of my country and all that, but sometimes I wish I didn’t live in Canada. I want a Minx manicure so bad! I also want your swear rings, but my not having them is just a matter of me trying to save money.
LOVE the disco-ball manicure!
Did you burn yourself with a curling iron? My mother used to do that all the time. Made me afraid of the damn things.
WendyB lives such a glamorous, interesting life. And what fantastic nails and rings. She’s a FoxyLady.
ok you convinced me. I just booked my first Minx appointment for this saturday! : ) SO EXCITED
Love it! Each manicure is stunning. Some manicure motivation as well . .
Allie, it’s worth the drive.
Jill, I’ll price the gold rings tomorrow or Friday.
Thanks for giving me the motivation. Cherie from Shrimpton Couture has been asking me forever!
Rosie, I tweeted you a link for http://www.minxcanada.com/
Deja Pseu, this wasn’t a flat iron burn but I know those well. Thank goodness my flattened hair covers my ears!
I am in dire need of a manicure right now – Minx please! And throw in your Marie Antoinette ring – I think I’m in love!! 🙂
I love the disco ball nails! And Tina’s blue/ purple nails are gorgeous too. Not to mention how beautiful the nails set off your designs! I’m going to have to try this, I’m like you and hate to sit for a manicure so I wind up doing my own (winds up being an all-night affair, as I’m too fidgety.) I wonder if it works okay with acrylic nails?
XXX
Suzanne
PS heart you! <~my anti-spam word, so appropriate!
Thanks for visiting my blog. I look forward to exploring yours!
Suzanne, the Minx peeps assure me that it works with acrylics!
Umm there is nothing about this post that I don’t like! Sooo pretty! Now I need to go get myself a manicure… pronto
Thanks Wendy! Oo I hope I can book an appointment before I go to LFW! Will have to think of something cool to get…
XXX
Suzanne
Ooooo, I just love having my nails. I got my first manicure in like 6 months over the weekend and I seriously can’t stop stairing at my nails. So, pretty. There’s only one salon in Idaho that has Minx nails, and I’ve yet to try it but I may have to get one the bandwagon. Love it!
SHINY SHINY! I’d have to have them on my face though, to distract attention away from the truly truly awful state of my nails which no miracle can cover up. You’re right, with all that constant abuse how can they look nice? You do very well x
Louise, my fingers are short and stubby and I have weirdly wide nail beds and weak nails (thanks, manicurists, for constantly pointing that out). I used to try to downplay the hands because of that but finally I thought, “Fuck it” and started putting on big rings and startling nail art. I figured then people were kind of looking at the rings and nail art rather than the fingers. Maybe I’m fooling myself but whatevs! I managed to become a Minx hand model for a day so I must be doing something right! So go for it!
This not only sounds amazing but looks amazing. I know exactly where Fifi is. I might need to make an appt before I go to South America in March, especially since its right near my waxing place and I know I’ll be hitting that before my trip. Love the metallic you got the 1st time!
Wendy, I am such a jealous bitch that I scheduled a Minx Mani for myself!!! Thanks to you (tell the Minx peeps you are SO worth it) I was able to find a salon here that does them!!!
im in absolute LOVE with your work, im so glad i know your jewelry now. Thank you so much for your comment!!!
xoxoxox
http://www.moneasywardrobe.com
I suddenly want Minx. The next time you go give me a shout out. We can discuss the custome skull ring over a Minx Mani. xo Mish
All three of your Minx manis are completely amazing. I especially love the first one and that second picture is phenomenal! I’m definitely going to have to check them out.
I will beat a b!tch’s @ss all by myself, using my hachi-kyu karate mastershipfulness.
I can think of an occasion that would occasion this new minx manicure you want. 😉
Maybe I need one too!
you’re a rockstar, wendyb!
Whoa! Those nails are extreme! But very cool looking.
To answer your question about how I took shots so close to my eyes: um…I just point the camera really close to them and try to do it in front of a mirror. I’m not a photographer, so I do the best I can. Hopefully it’s working out.
Excellent photos, beautiful nails and a very entertaining post. What more could I ask? Oh, my anti-spam word is Denmark! I’m taking it as a sign that I will finally meet my future Danish husband!
Oh, I love this—what a great idea—-I need to find me a salon and get it done. And your rings are FAB! I am a huge ring wearer, and would love to someday get one of your gorgeous rings—-sigh—I wish…
very cool, that Minx manicure.
I don’t get manicures either. It makes me nervous. I know…that’s weird.
In the words of my younger sister (who talks like a 70’s San Francisco pimp), “you got that EXCLUSIVE!”
Yeah, no noun…it ends there. But she says it with such gusto.
Anyway, the nails are amazing. And I will still whoop up on a beeyotch, even if it isn’t injury related. I just want to sock someone.
Ok, I was kidding. Sort of.
All of these look ridiculously cool. I love the coordination between the jewelery and nails. The disco pattern is perfect for a Gaga concert! Have fun!
Those nails are so glam and gorgeous!! Well done on becoming a hand model too, so very unique and stylish!!
woaaah that deserves a hot stuff salute, they are insanely good!
I really hope I can find a salon round here that does Minx. They look awesome! I love that black and gold snakeskin pattern. Gorge!
Oh and your swear rings are awesome too.
– Anna Jane xxx
(PixelatedBlonde.com)
These are amazing, Wendy and the perfect compliment to your rings!
You are SO funny. Showing the world your booboo but keeping the story a mystery. And “mystery” is my anti spam word….what a coincidence!
This makes me realize how desperately I need a manicure…stat!
The rings, as always, are gorgeous and i am intrigued by the Minx nail wraps…they look cool and like they would lats quite a while.
I had a Minx mani once and would definitely go back (except my go-to look is normally the much more boring Essie Ballet Slippers). I’m just gonna pretend I didn’t see your Paris Hilton edit…
Oooh- look at you miss exclusive nails. 😉
So jealous.
<3