Black Women Discuss Why (Or Why Not) They Go To Asian Nail Salons

AVIELLE AMOR

Photo courtesy of Avielle Amor.

Social media strategist and digital influencer Avielle Amor doesn’t mince words: “I’m ALWAYS uncomfortable in an Asian nail salon.” The melanated beauty admits to so much confusion when she graces these spaces. She explains how the cultural background differences and communication barrier makes for a less than positive experience.  “Starting with the language barrier, customers experience immediately stars with uncertainty. This uncertainty comes from trying to determine the service you want and knowing the CORRECT price from the beginning. Many arguments I’ve witnessed online, and in person happens from poor communication on price.” This is exactly what happened in Brooklyn, with the Black woman not wanting to pay for her service because it wasn’t at the standard she requested and expected.

Photo courtesy of Avielle Amor.

Amor shared a personal example of her uncomfortableness due to lack of communication in a salon. “The nail tech looked at my hand and said something in their language and then another nail tech came to examine my hands and they both laugh. I was like, ‘Excuse me? I want to know what you’re laughing at!’ Now as a customer, I’m on defense. So, it only comes naturally that a conflict will arise at the end with the nail tech servicing you because the total went from $80.00 to $190.00!!!”

Amor talks about the cultural disconnect that occurs: “Asian culture is known to be non-confrontational, someone raised in America might be more direct. So I’ve seen some nail techs adapt to the culture and become more direct with their approach, and then you end up with the situation of violence as we’ve seen in the NY Times article.  How is it that our community is so trusting of allowing another culture to come into our neighborhoods and service us ridiculous prices with sometimes less than stellar service and we continue to give them our money?”

Avielle Amor grew up down South and used to frequent Asian nail salons because “that was the only option that was available” and she “wasn’t aware that other races performed nail services.” However, upon moving to NYC and becoming more aware, she tells Madame Noire, “I began to diversify and purposefully seek after nail techs from different backgrounds. Currently, my nail tech is Jaree Vinson, she is a black woman that owns her own nail service business that travels!” She further explains, “The cultural disconnect is no way trying to excuse the behavior, but serves more so as an example why diversity and representation matters when it comes to ownership of a business. That’s why I chose Jaree, so I could do my part.”

KIMBERLEY JAMES

Kimberley James is a working mother who also enjoys jetsetting around the world. She goes to Asian nail salons, like many black women, because of convenience. She explains, “Where I live Asian nail salons are a dime a dozen and have a monopoly on the market. Realistically speaking in the US and even in Europe, Asian nail salons are the norm!” She’s right about this, according to Nails Magazine, a leading publication in the industry, as of 2015, there were around 130,000 nail salons in the United States and over 50% of all manicurists working in those salons are Vietnamese. Vietnamese dominate the Asian nail salons and their prices can be 20% to 30% less than luxury or Black-owned nail salons.

Photo courtesy of Kimberley James.

James likes them because they are “fast, efficient, and usually have all the new products and innovative skills you require for a simple nail job or an elaborate stunner.” She has no problem frequenting these salons and tells me matter of factly, “It has become a part of the culture. Dare I say it? Nail salons being synonymous with Asians.” She thinks a little and adds, “The only place I do go to a non-Asian salon is home in Trinidad and the same lady has done my nails since I was in high school.

While James is aware of the salon in Brooklyn charged with assaulting Black women, it did not change her behavior. “I’m painfully aware of the world we live in with all its stereotypes, radical prejudices and a plethora of other ideals and ignorant thoughts that fuel the tension-filled world we live in.”

Nevertheless, she was bothered by what she saw. She explains, “I don’t care what creed or race a person is…settling a dispute with violence is not the answer. Harming another human being over something as trivial as this is ridiculous. Beating people with brooms…anybody else blackout and have a slavery flashback?! I sure did.”

James’ discusses both positive and negative experiences she has had in Asian nail salons. She’s down to support the ones that have become part of the community and don’t only employ Asian nail techs. These are the salons she goes to and reveals, “They are happy to see you when you come in, give your kids candy, remember your name and it’s like catching up with old friends.” Not all Asian nail salons are bad and James’ reminds us of this. “It’s an experience, one that does not feel as though it’s a business transaction and all about the money.” Nevertheless, she has also been to Asian nail salons that are “rude, aggressive, rough, speak in their own language, poke fun of you, refuse to make changes, and are less than sanitary.” You know the feeling, you go into these salons and you can’t wait to leave. However, she thinks it goes beyond race. “Asian nail salons are a reflection of those who run them just like any other business run by any other ethnicity. We are all humans but not all humans reflect humanity!”

AFRICA MIRANDA

Photo courtesy of Africa Miranda.

Africa Miranda is a busy woman. She’s a media personality, an author currently on a book tour, and the host of The Africa Miranda Show. When I inquire if she goes to Asian nail salons, she replies honestly, yes, due to convenience. “I’ll admit this is laziness and lack of planning. I’m usually waiting until the last minute and opt for what’s in my neighborhood.” She saw the altercation at the Brooklyn salon via the Internet and “hated seeing it,” but admits, “I’m not surprised.” While she hasn’t personally had anything to that degree happen to her, she has had some interesting exchanges at the nail salon, specifically in New York.

Photo courtesy of Africa Miranda.

Her experiences at nail salons may have to do with her attitude. She explains, “I’m also very vocal about what I want. On the handful of times where people were rude, I spoke up and also never went back to that particular salon.” As consumers, we definitely have a choice and our dollars are powerful.

Photo courtesy of Africa Miranda.

While the difference in language bothers some black women, it doesn’t affect Miranda. “Even with a language barrier, you can tell someone’s energy.” She reasons, “If a person has to touch my body, I need to feel comfortable. If I walk in and no one greets me or the vibe in the shop is ‘off,’ l don’t stay.”

STACY COLEMAN

Queens, NY entrepreneur Stacy Coleman frequents Asian salons because they are “the most prominent and available salons in my neighborhood.” Coleman claims that she normally “always has great treatment in the nail salon no matter who owns the shops.” However, she admits that she has seen other patrons who were “not so happy with their services having altercations.” She also admits to wondering “in the end if they are speaking poorly about the African American women after the individual leaves.” And while Coleman feels comfortable in Asian salons, she doesn’t always feel well-serviced. She states, “most times I do feel rushed in the Asian nail salons.”

Upon seeing the video of the unruly Asian beauty owners in Brooklyn, she explains, “I feel like disrespect goes both ways when it comes to the Asian salons, but no human being deserves to be treated that way no matter the circumstances.” While it didn’t change what salons she frequents, she did cause her to seek out additional options. “The clinicians in my salon have always been nice to me. But I did discuss the incident with my classmates and found a Russian owned salon and a Latina-owned salon that I will try as well.”

What has been your experience with Asian nail salons? Do you frequent them or prefer Black-owned salons and/or nail technicians? Why or why not? Sound off in our comment section below.

Danielle James is Head of Fashion and Beauty Partnerships for HelloBeautiful and MadameNoire. She’s the Founder of Model Citizen, a peer-to-peer shopping platform that allows women to shop each others’ closets. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter: @TheIslanDiva.