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CHANGE OUR FINGERNAILS CAN BELIEVE IN

Someone has left a Star magazine on the bus in an act of charity or neglect--its cover tiled with photos of Jennifer, Brad, Jessica, Rihanna and her boyfriend, Chris Brown. All five are engaged in struggles with their vanity or their partners or both.

Ten minutes later I've learned nothing that you couldn't divine from the cover photos, except that Rihanna (or her stylist) has fantastic taste in nail design. A photograph of the singer in concert zooms in on her pinky nail, revealing an image of President Obama's face. A pinky-sized prez. I want one.

Or two. Michelle Obama would also look good on my pointer finger: a strong digit for a strong woman. The rest of the Obama family, kids plus puppy, could occupy the remaining fingers.

I wonder if the neighbourhood salons have picked up on this trend. If Rihanna can popularise leather glovelets and dominatrix footwear, presidential nails are not far behind. Our nails are among our most changeable features, without the mess of surgery or exercise. They're a good place to be expressive.

First stop is a salon on 96th and Amsterdam. Do they do custom acrylics? Yes. Obama nails? "No Obama," the manicurist says suspiciously, as though I've hit her up for a dime bag. No Obama, no problem. Next stop is Refined and Sparkling Nails on 106th and Broadway. Obama nails? "We've never done that," the manicurist says. A block away at Casablanca Nail I get the same response. Same at In & Out Nail, though they do suggest the American flag as an alternative.

Thanks, but no thanks. I'll just have to carefully paint a mini-prez myself. 

~ MOLLY YOUNG

Picture Credit: LeeLeeLu (via Flickr)