She Gave Birth in the Salon—But Her Nails Looked Amazing

👋 WELCOME TO THE NAIL HUSTLE — ISSUE #5

Hey Nail Boss,

We’re back with another round of news, trends, and salon truth. From Dua Lipa’s vacation nails to a very real salon labor story (yes, actual labor), we’ve got the good stuff to keep you informed and inspired.

Let’s hustle.

💅 TREND WATCH: Dua Lipa's Polka Dot Nails Are Vacation Goals

Dua Lipa just reminded us that nail art can still be playful and chic—with a holiday-ready twist. Spotted in the south of France, the pop icon rocked short, natural-shaped nails dotted in retro black-and-white polka dots, giving serious mod glam meets Euro summer.

Why it works:

• The dots feel timeless and trendy at the same time

• It's bold but wearable, even for clients who don't usually go all-in on nail art

• It pairs effortlessly with summer fits—think red lips, white sunglasses, and cocktails on the coast

✨ Pro Tip: Add “Dot It Up” or “Retro Pop” nail art to your summer menu. It's an easy way to upsell basic sets with a design that’s both Instagrammable and low-maintenance.

🔗 Read more on Hello! Magazine »

📱 TALK OF THE TOK: She Pulled Out Google Translate—And Let It Speak 😳

You know that moment when you and your coworker switch to your native language to whisper a quick joke or vent about a tough client?

Well… one client just flipped the script.

In a viral Instagram moment, a woman getting her nails done pulled out Google Translate after sensing she was being talked about. But here’s the kicker—she didn’t just read the translation. She hit the audio button… and let her phone speak the whole thing out loud.

Cue: silence, shock, and one very awkward mani.

📣 Real Talk for the Nail Hustle Crew:
We get it. Most of us are bilingual and code-switch all day. And yeah, some clients really test your patience. But a quick comment in your native language can easily be misunderstood—or even caught on camera.

⚠️ Pro Tip: Keep convos respectful when clients are in the chair. Save the spicy stuff for private chats.
Because in 2025, your client might not need to understand your language… they just need an app.

🔗 Watch the original Instagram post »

🚨 NAIL BIZ LEGAL ALERT: Vietnamese-American Salon Owners Sue California Over Shutdown Fallout

More than three years after California’s sweeping pandemic-era salon closures, a group of Vietnamese-American salon owners is taking the state to court—claiming the shutdowns were discriminatory, destructive, and devastating to their livelihoods.

📰 The Backstory:
In 2020, California became the only state to keep salons closed for nearly six straight months. Many of the hardest-hit? Vietnamese-American-owned salons, which make up the majority of nail businesses in the state.

Now, these owners are filing a lawsuit against the state, arguing that:

• They were unfairly categorized as “non-essential” despite rigorous sanitation standards

• The prolonged closures caused irreversible economic damage

• The shutdown policies were applied inconsistently, allowing other personal services to reopen sooner

📣 Why This Matters:
This isn’t just about the past. It’s about the precedent. If the state can shut down an entire industry without tailored protections or clear data, what’s stopping it from doing so again?

⚠️ For Nail Pros Nationwide:

• This case could influence how future emergency shutdowns are handled

• It highlights the need for stronger advocacy and representation

• It’s a reminder to stay organized—financial records, licensing, health inspections—everything matters

🔗 Read the full article on Moneywise »

🎉 POP CULTURE POLISH: TV Star Goes Into Labor Mid-Mani!

Talk about dramatic timing.

Jen Affleck, star of the hit reality series Mormon Wives, made headlines this week when she went into labor… while getting her nails done.

According to a now-viral report, the mom-to-be was mid-manicure when her contractions kicked in—fast. The salon staff handled it like pros, keeping her calm and helping her out the door just in time for baby number five to make a bold entrance.

🚼 The kicker? She was getting a classic pink-and-white set because—her words—“if I’m going to give birth on camera, I need my hands to look good!”

📺 The scene may even make it into a future episode of Mormon Wives—turns out reality TV doesn’t get much more real than this.

💡 Pro Tip: You never know what kind of story will walk through your salon door… or roll out of it!

🔗 Read the full story on The Daily Beast »

💌 FINAL POLISH

Thanks for reading this week’s issue of The Nail Hustle! Whether you're in the salon, behind the scenes, or building your beauty empire from scratch—know that you're seen, supported, and unstoppable.

📬 Got a story or tip? Hit reply.
📢 Love this issue? Forward it to a fellow tech and help us grow the crew.

Stay Glossy,
— The Nail Hustle Team