Manicure Memoir: Reflecting on the History of Vietnamese Nail Salons
If you want a manicure or pedicure at a nail salon, the salon is most likely Vietnamese-owned. In fact, more than half of nail salons in the United States are run by Vietnamese women and men. And this is not a coincidence. For APIDAHM, our volunteer Mila dives into the history behind Vietnamese nail salons, how the Vietnamese community made an impact on the beauty industry, and what it all means to Mila in terms of her Vietnamese identity.
How My Pixie Cut Made Me Understand Asian American Beauty
When it comes to beauty standards, Asian American women face a unique struggle. The standards between Asian and American beauty are distinct from one another and each are often promoted by varying, prominent influences (beauty companies, family, celebrities, etc). In the end, where do Asian American women fall on the spectrum? Are we a blend of these standards? And if that's the case, then are we just a rejection of the beauty ideals of both?