👋 WELCOME TO THE NAIL HUSTLE — ISSUE #3

Hey Nail Boss,

We’re diving into summer with nail colors that pop, trends that speak volumes, and a serious business pulse check. This week, we’re rounding up June’s hottest nail colors, a soft yellow trend that’s everywhere, and a tough truth about the state of the U.S. nail industry.

But it’s not all stress and stats—because we’re ending this issue with a powerful origin story. If you’ve ever wondered how the Vietnamese community came to define the American nail salon, you’re about to find out.

Let’s hustle.

💅 TREND WATCH: June’s Freshest Nail Colors Are Turning Heads

It’s all about leaning into warm tones like butter yellow and baby pink and making splashy statements with unexpected hues like Cajun shrimp or ultra-shiny black. According to Real Simple and Yahoo Life, these shades are trending hard:

• Soft Serve White

• Naked Nails

• Cajon Shrimp

• Tiffany Blue

• Shiny Black

• Butter Yellow (yes, it’s having a soft glam moment)

💛 Butter Yellow, featured in Southern Living, is the season’s sleeper hit—soft, sunlit, and surprisingly versatile. Think early morning light on fingertips.

📸 Offer your clients color menus with swatches like these and rotate them monthly to spark inspiration (and upsells).

🔗 Sources:

• Real Simple’s Top June Colors

• Butter Yellow Spotlight – Southern Living

📉 BUSINESS TREND ALERT: Is the Nail Market in Trouble?

A recent report from OpenPR revealed that the U.S. nail market is shrinking significantly due to post-pandemic behavior shifts and rising supply costs.

While the beauty world embraces digital storytelling, influencer collaborations, and visual content across TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, many nail salons remain stuck in an older playbook-relying on walk-ins, word of mouth, or outdated Yelp reviews.

Today's consumers want more. They want to discover your salon before they step in-via Reels, behind-the-scenes videos, Pinterest boards, and authentic stories. They want connection, not just service.

But don’t panic—this isn’t the end of your hustle. Here are four strategies experts recommend to help salons stay thriving:

1. Diversify services — Add trending treatments like nail art workshops, paraffin rituals, or hybrid gel systems.

2. Lean into community — Events, referral rewards, and local partnerships can drive traffic.

3. Elevate the experience — Clients want more than nails. Think: playlists, drinks, and Instagram-worthy spaces.

4. Upskill your team — Advanced nail art, content creation, and customer service training are long-term investments.

📈 Remember: every challenge is a chance to innovate. 🔗 Read the full OpenPR article

🧠 BEHIND THE GLOSS: The Vietnamese-American Nail Revolution

If you’ve ever worked in a salon—or stepped into one—you’ve likely felt the influence of the Vietnamese community. But how did it happen?

It all goes back to the 1970s and a Hollywood actress named Tippi Hedren. She visited Vietnamese refugee camps and noticed how fascinated the women were with her manicure. Determined to help them build new lives, she recruited her own manicurist to teach them the trade.

What started as a small act of empowerment sparked a legacy. Vietnamese Americans now make up more than 80% of nail techs in the U.S. That’s not just domination—it’s transformation.

💬 Want to build a more inclusive and respectful salon culture? Start by learning the history behind your profession.

🔗 Full story from KCRA

Princess Nails — The Trend with Royal Roots

You’ve seen them. Glossy, sculpted, squared-off acrylics in soft pinks, nudes, or sheer whites—elegant, minimal, and just a little extra. They're called Princess Nails, and they’re ruling nail salons everywhere.

But where did this style come from, and why the royal title?

👑 The Backstory
The “Princess” label isn’t just about the look—it’s about the energy. This style first gained traction in West African beauty circles, especially among Nigerian influencers and socialites who favored ultra-clean, feminine nails that conveyed both class and confidence. Think: understated luxury. Quiet glam.

The name “Princess Nails” became shorthand for a vibe: graceful, well-kept, and always camera-ready.

🌍 Cultural Power Move
By naming the look after royalty, it signaled status and self-respect—no tiara required. In many Black and African beauty spaces, nails are more than fashion—they're a form of personal branding and cultural pride.

🖌️ The Signature Look

• Square or tapered-square acrylic tips

• Sheer or baby pink base

• Often long and glassy, but never over-the-top

• Think less “bling” and more “elegant soft glam”

📈 Why It’s Trending Now
With the rise of minimalist nail art, old money aesthetics, and clean-girl beauty, Princess Nails are having a global moment—again. They pair perfectly with coquette style, 90s revival looks, and luxury TikTok aesthetics.

💖 Pro Tip:
Offer a “Princess Set” on your menu to tap into this trending name. Include a luxe hand scrub, paraffin dip, and soft-touch finish for the full royal treatment.

📸 Bonus points if your booking site or signage has pastel pink and gold accents to match the vibe.

🔗 Read the origin story on BellaNaija Style »

💌 FINAL POLISH

That’s a wrap on Issue #3!

If you loved this, forward it to a fellow nail tech and share the hustle. Got a hot tip, event, or trend we should feature? Hit reply.

Stay Glossy,
— The Nail Hustle Team