The nail salons have long been a common stereotype when it comes to Vietnamese community. However, not too many people know how the story got started or what it really meant to a lot of Vietnamese immigrants. This project is an attempt to bring the history and the story of many in light. I've also done some research on how the industry has transformed over the years and where it is going in the future.

1. Nails, Nails, NailsA brief look into the history of Vietnamese nail
industry, what it means, and where the business is going.
byThao Bui

2. Xin Chào!
NYC Strategist for Hire //Thinker //
Closet Writer
www.thaominhb.com
http://buidoinewyork.tumblr.com
THAO BUI

3. Vietnamese-owned businesses have been dominating the nail industry.

4. 48% of nail technicians are Vietnamese. The nail business provides a stable income for
many Vietnamese-American families.

5. The Vietnamese nail techs, where are they located?
California
(The Top 10 Most Populous States for Vietnamese Nail Techs)
Texas
Florida
New York
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Illinois
Virginia
New Jersey
North Carolina

6. The nail salons have become a common
stereotype about Vietnamese-American
community.
Honey, why you don’t like???
Pedicure, it makes look nice. It’s
so sexy. It’s better for you.
Oh alright. Sure then. I’ll get a
pedicure too. Thanks.
If you don’t understand this, do yourself a favor and watch Nail
Salon by Anjelah Johnson here.

7. But...

8. Why are there many Vietnamese working in the nail industry?

9. After the Fall of Saigon in 1975, millions of
Vietnamese refugees had no choice but to leave
everything behind and flee the country.
Some arrived in the United States of America.
First, let’s look at what happenned
38 years ago.

10. To many of them, it was like being born again in a new country with a new language and culture.

11. People worked any jobs they could get to raise their families.

12. 20 Vietnamese women met Tippi Hedren, a
Hollywood actress in Hope Village (Sacramento).
Hedren realized that these women were very
good with their hands.
She offered them some trainings with her
personal manicurist.

13. After, Hedren helped them get a job at nearby
salons. Successful stories soon spread in the
communities.

14. People helping people, doing nails
became the main occupation of the
Vietnamese immigrants (because it
requires no English).

15. The abundant source of Vietnamese manicurists made
manicures and pedicures affordable.

16. Hedren and the Vietnamese women from Hope Village have
transformed the nail industry.

17. In 2012, the nail industry is worth about $7.47 billion.
46% have been doing nails for more than 10 years. Most are married with children.
Over 50% of these nail workers never or rarely wear protective gears (eye wear, mask, gloves).
The average income is $420.98 per week.

18. Today, it does not stop at manicuring...

19. A significant amount of materials and equipment for the
nail industry is from Vietnamese merchants.

20. Some successful owners open their own beauty schools that
offer bilingual trainings.

21. Also, the largest global manufacturer of cuticle nippers is
Vietnamese.

22. The nail business brought a voice to
a silenced collective of refugees who
fled from a war-torn country.
Print fromVietnAmerica by GBTran.

23. To many, it led them to achieve the American Dream.

24. Transitioning to the future, where is this business going next?

25. Now is actually an exciting time to be in the nail industry.

26. Gel-polish has been generating
much hype. It creates a new
standard for the nail business.

27. Plus the endorsement from celebrities and famous self-acclaimed nail aficionados, nails
are getting its spotlight.
Celebrities’ endorsement
Famous nail aficionados

28. Nail polish recently dethrones lipstick.

30. Econommy watchers used to say that:
When times got tough, women would buy a lipstick, because it was an affordable pick-me-up.

31. Now, nail polish rules the economic barometer, which means...

32. “When times are tough, women
buy a bottle of nail polish. And
when times are good, they buy
lots of polish and go to the salon.”
Lipstick, you’re going
down!!!!

33. The rise of nails on social media also contributes to its popularity.

34. DIY culture has a big
impact on the nail
industry in general.
People are contributing
to a vibrant and growing
nail arts community
every day.

35. Outside Facebook, Pinterest,
Twitter, and Instagram,
there are about 35,000 blogs
dedicated to nails, nail arts,
and nail polish.

36. Monthly, there are about 2.5 million Google searches for “nail art.”
Sales of polish and nail products have increased tremendously: polish
sales are up 59%, 36% increase in natural nail products, and a 100%
increase of top and base coats.

37. The world’s most expensive
nail polish costs $250,000
and contains 267 carats of
black diamonds.

38. Nails become more than just a canvas for
artistic expression of self.

39. “Nail art… might be the only form
of primping and grooming that
isn’t rooted in making oneself more
appealing to men or exploiting
women’s insecurities. It transcends
skin color and hair texture and
face symmetry and body type.”
Jezebel.com - 08.2012
Photos from Kathleen Tran at
http://kathleens-corner.tumblr.com

40. All these numbers and information prove that people are
paying more attention to the industry.

41. And customers are willing to pay more for high-quality manicures
and pedicures. Competition is getting stiff for the nail salons,
especially the Vietnamese businesses that mostly rely on low-price
services.

42. It’s time for the Vietnamese nail salons to make a step up, take
advantage of new technology and social media
to engage with their customers.

43. On a side note...

44. If you want to watch the history of the Vietnamese nail industry in
action, watch it here.
(I wrote the play and helped direct part of it)

45. Sources:
2012-2013 Industry Statistics from Nails Magazine.
2008-2009Vietnamese Demographics from Nails Magazine.
Nailing the American Dream, with Polish from NPR.com.
Nail Art, the Last Bastion of Female-Centric Beauty from Jezebel.com.
The Fall fromVietnAmerica by GBTran. More of his work can be found at gbtran.com.
Photos from Google Images.
Photos from my friend KathleenTran from kathleens-corner.tumblr.com.

46. Thank You!

47. NYC Strategist for Hire //Thinker //
Closet Writer
www.thaominhb.com
http://buidoinewyork.tumblr.com
THAO BUI