There is an epidemic of nail art on the rise. The current trend is similar to the Roaring Twenties, when anything was possible and showiness was the norm. Today, people are sick of being boxed in and looking for a low-risk, high-reward way to wild out. A recent trend has been the revival of press-on nails, which used to be relegated to drugstore shelves.
In the United States alone, over 54,000 nail salons operate, fueling the obsession with nail polish. However, those numbers have been declining steadily in recent years. This uniquely American industry is in trouble, and its collapse could cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and savings. In order to stop the trend and keep it going, nail artists must step up their game. Here’s how they can survive. How do you make money doing your passion?
One of the ways nail professionals can stay in business is by becoming members of a nail-art membership club. The founder of Olive & June’s membership program rewards members with free shipping and discounts on all products. The founder constantly engages with consumers, and her company’s summer line, featuring seven neon-colored nail polishes, retailing for $7 a pop. In addition to launching new nail polishes, she holds regular workshops where she showcases her designs.
This work-from-home culture has also broken down negative stigmas surrounding fake nails. Some celebrities, like Jennifer Lopez, have admitted to wearing press-ons before the “”pandemic”” took hold. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Ariana Grande have even admitted to wearing press-ons while locked up in the White House. These trends are sure to continue to grow, and the industry is only growing.
A new trend in fashion nails has arisen thanks to social media. In recent years, the popularity of press-on nails has reached an all-time high. The trend has also led to the emergence of press-on nail brands. Unlike the traditional method of applying nail polish by hand, press-on nails have become Instagrammable designs, a perfect way to tap into social media trends. The emergence of press-on nail brands has been fueled by convenience and affordability.
The pandemic has hit the nail service industry hard, forcing many nail professionals to pivot and focus on education and social media. The new focus on education and social media is proving to be a winning strategy. People still want the feeling of being pampered and getting their nails done. And in this world, feeling pampered has never been more important. There’s never been a better time to experience the ultimate in beauty.
Vivian Sze is one of the founders of Common Rare, an online marketplace that features 50 to 80 vendors in Asia. They sell everything from branded polish to manicure kits, and even virtual classes. In addition, many nail salons resorted to selling their wares online, while others simply closed their doors. Some salons relied on stimulus checks and generous tips from their regulars to stay afloat. Some salon owners even started GoFundMe campaigns to support their business.
While traditional nails were the norm in the 1960s, many young Asian and Black women began experimenting with their nails in order to express their personal style. The first Black supermodel, Donyale Luna, wore acrylic nails in 1966 on the cover of Twen magazine. Soon after, Donna Summer and Diana Ross were wearing long, shiny nails. Even Hollywood starlet Taylor Swift was experimenting with metallic nails to give her a glamorous look.
