NAILS

118 | NAILS MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2016Vietnam. At Merci, Briosca says the most requested nail art styles are a reverseFrench manicure and what she calls “glass nails,” which are metallic colors witha mirror finish. Vietnamese techs are willing to pay high prices to import nail artproducts when a new style is trending.At tradeshows, Nguyen notices many nail techs purchasing Arctic Freeze(a white that doesn’t yellow), Ambience (fairy dust-like sheer pink), and OocaCoocha Bing Bang Bam Alakazzy Alakazam (shimmery stained glass turquoisethat contains shade-shifting pigments).Classic nail shapes, such as ovals and squares, are mainstays in Vietnam.Celebrities, such as models and singers, sometimes opt for bolder shapes suchas stilettos.``````TAKEAWAYSFrom a technical standpoint, U.S. nail techs may glean pointers on how toincrease speed from Vietnamese nail techs. “Nail salons in the United Stateslook for nail techs who worked in Vietnam because techs from Vietnam knowhow to perform work quickly and have good nail art skills,” Tran says.Nguyen says Vietnamese nail techs are an inspiration because of theirhumility and modesty, even when some could easily develop large egos dueto their talent and success. “I say to dig deep and find your passion for nails,”Nguyen says. “Here in the United States, we have this ideal of ‘fame’ (whichapplies to any industry, not just nails) and we want to chase after fame or dothings to make ourselves famous. But I have been fortunate to meet many techsin Vietnam who are extremely talented artists and all we talk about is nails. Theyare very genuine. They know they’ve made a big difference in the nail world, butthey don’t let ‘fame’ get to them.”``````Bryan Nguyen captures a typicalstreet scene in Ho Chi Minh City.