You are here:

Beauty at the fingertips--Tokyo's Nail Expo 2012

BY KOTARO NAKAJIMA STAFF WRITER

2012/12/15

AKB48's Mariko Shinoda is crowned 2012 "Nail Queen." (The Asahi Shimbun)The nail art exhibition is filled with nail art enthusiasts, for whom beauty doesn't stop at the fingertips, but includes eye-catching body decorations. (The Asahi Shimbun)One of the must-try manicure trends for spring-summer 2013, according to the Japan Nailist Association, is "playful." The idea is to keep things light and everyone can create their own art on their fingernails. (Provided by The Japan Nailist Association)Nail technicians take part in a nail art competition. (The Asahi Shimbun)

Artistic fingernails are currently one of fashion's hottest accessories for women, turning the nail art industry into a 200 billion yen ($2.42 billion) market--a sure sign of a booming industry.