Cuban women embrace extravagant nail art despite economic hardships

HAVANA, Jul 11 (AP) – In defiance of challenging economic conditions, Cuban women are turning to elaborate nail art, opting for lengthy and intricate designs despite limited financial resources. This trend, already popular worldwide, is especially remarkable in Cuba, where the availability of these nail embellishments is constrained by the island’s tough economic landscape.

Many Cubans face daily hurdles like crowded buses, power shortages, and product scarcities, but for those skilled in nail art, it represents a financial lifeline within Cuba’s restricted private sector. Learning their craft from online videos and international manicurists, these artists have managed to turn extravagant nail designs into a profitable endeavor.

Cuban manicurist Marisel Darias Valdes recently spent almost six hours crafting decorated acrylic extensions for a client, Mariam Camila Sosa, at her home salon in Havana. The nails featured 1-inch extensions depicting the cartoon character SpongeBob, a tribute to Sosa’s daughter’s favorite character. Every design is meticulously handmade, reflecting the transformation of simple manicures into intricate art. “Previously, it was a half-hour service with basic manicures and natural paint. Now, it’s all about the art,” Darias remarked. “Cuban women are very vain. They may lack food, but their nails, hair, eyelashes, and feet always have to be well-groomed.”

Official statistics on the number of such specialized nail businesses are unavailable, but since the pandemic, many have blossomed, elevating nail art to an art form. Manicurists are not only honing their craft but also becoming content creators to attract clients through sophisticated social media strategies, despite Cuba’s unreliable internet connectivity. Dayana Roche, a fellow manicurist, highlights her services online, stating, “It’s the fundamental tool to attract the public, the clients. You have to create a lot of content on social media because that’s where everyone sees your work.”

Nail artistry provides a viable income stream for many, including university graduates, as a solution to the country’s low wages. The cost of nail services, which ranges from USD 10 to USD 40, is significant in a country where the average monthly state salary is roughly 5,000 Cuban pesos (around USD 13). Many Cuban families, however, supplement their income with remittances and state subsidies. The materials required for nail art are sourced from the United States, Panama, or resellers in Cuba, with a small bottle of professional nail polish costing as much as USD 15.

Despite the economic burden, people like Miralys Maura Cruz, who manage household chores adeptly with their adorned 2-inch nails, see their nails as a necessary luxury. “Without my nails, I’m nobody,” Cruz admits. “I know they are not cheap, and nails are a luxury, but it’s my luxury.”

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