Embellishments are all the rage right now, and a popular trend called “Blackberry Bling” is all about beautifying your clients’ dialing digit. Named by celebrity manicurist Dawn Sterling of The Back Room Hand & Foot Spa at Carol’s Daughter in Harlem, N.Y., the trend features a basic manicure in one color and special embellishments or a different shade of polish just on the thumb and/or ring finger.

Not only is the trend gaining momentum in New York, Miami, and London, but it’s popular with women from every age, Sterling says. Blackberry Bling is often requested by smart phone owners (hence the “Blackberry” in the name), though iPhone owners are sometimes an exception, as they tend to prefer the accented finger be the index finger instead (better to show off on the touch screen).

 “The accent on the thumb trend really speaks to how our culture texts more than ever — from your grandmother to your little cousin — everyone texts,” says Ginger Pickett of Ginger + Liz nail lacquers. “Like most looks in fashion, the nail art trend has made a comeback and we love it.”

Celebrity manicurist Margaret Thomas of It’s a Secret Salon in Culver City, Calif., is having success creating stiletto nails on clients’ index fingers and thumbs for texting and dialing. “The stilettos are usually with an acrylic base and then we may add inlays, 3-D, rhinestones, and glitter,” Thomas says. “All adding up to major bling.”

Variations on the same color are especially popular, as well as bright designs on bright color bases, says Pickett. For a chic take on the trend, Sterling suggests cement gray polish on all fingers with silver on the thumb for a little glitz. “It’s a subtle bling for the working woman who wants to have a little edge but not be over the top.” Whether a client wants rhinestones or pop art or even a subtle shimmer top coat, customization is key.

“My customers wanted to try it because it was different,” Thomas says. With so many requests for Blackberry Bling, she thinks the trend will last for a long time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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