Thursday, April 26, 2012

Minx Application for Professionals


Gold Minx nails

 As a nail tech, i am always wanting to introduce new products and services to our salon,boy, there is soooo much stuff around. Although Minx has been on the market for quite a while i have finally decided to start offering it to my clients, who are always looking for something more exciting to show off on their nails. So any nail techs out there wondering if it's worth it... here's all the info you need to make a decision and the basic instructions to get you going if you want to give it a go!
Minx come in fingernail and toenail sizes but they are interchangeable. The toenail sizes are more economical sometimes even for fingers because they come smaller (the pinkie size on the fingers just isn't small enough for most of my clients). Minx has a fabulous range of colours and patterns but to get started you cant go wrong with the the cool silver and gold, this seems to be what everyone wants at the moment anyway.  You will need a crystal file to apply minx or something similar, you also need an infra red heat lamp 150 - 250 watts, I have purchased a fabulous one from eBay that tilts up and down, rather than on a big stem, then i can move it around if necessary. the infra red does get hot, which is why i purchased 150 watts to start with, i figure when we can apply in our sleep (that's the aim he-he) i can always purchase a more powerful bulb.
Now here we go with the application. 
Minx definitely takes time, but don't become discouraged, remember what it was like when you started applying tips and acrylic (anxiety attack...... breathe!). The application will come in time and the adhesion will become easier and easier after while as with anything, the more practice you can get the better. It's best to start on someone with a good free edge because these are nearly impossible, even with experience, to apply to someone with very short or bitten nails. 

Application
  1. Remove any polish from the nail with acetone.  Shape the free edges of the nail, square is better for good adhesion. 
  2. Turn on your infrared heat lamp and put the fingers and the Minx under the light for at least thirty seconds.  This will activate the adhesion on the Minx and warm the nail plate, ready for application.
  3. Peel a Minx off the sheet.  Place it on the fingernail (keeping under the heat lamp) pressing it on starting with the middle and working side to side. This can be tricky on people with a high arch to the nail.  Just keep working till you have no wrinkles, the warmth will help with the molding of the minx. 
  4. Take a cuticle pusher with a soft end and rub the entire Minx firmly making sure to seal the edges and tip well.  Pull the end of the Minx down and stick it to the fingertip so that it is held tight on the tip.
  5. Remove from heat and allow to cool for one minute. 
  6. Take your crystal file and in a straight DOWNWARD motion file the Minx at the tip until the end is removed. You can cut it with sharp rounded nail scissors but i think filing is much easier. You need to be very careful not to file the actual nail plate or the minx will be dragged away from the tips and lifting may occur.
  7. Look a the nails carefully.  If there are any bubbles or lifting return to heat and rub over again with the cuticle pusher until all edges are sealed.
  8. Allow to cool.


Minx typically lasts around a week but may last some up to two.  It is normal for it to wear at the tips a little but it should not lift when it has been properly applied.  To remove it just warm them up under the heat lamp and peel off, for longer wearing you can apply a coal of UV gel over the top as a top coat or just a UV clear top coat for protection. If you do apply gel, remember to charge accordingly (for example the same as for a full set of gel colour).
Minx should take you around 30-45 minutes a set (depending on the condition of the clients nails).  You do need to charge appropriately to make any profit.  I think practice makes perfect so the more practice you can get the better, and the easier minx will become.