Nail Polish Business Booms In Weak Economy

May 30, 2012

While many U.S. businesses are suffering in the weak economy, one industry has been picking up speed. Women are now spending more money on their nails. They are getting more daring - straying from the basic shades of red and painting blues, greens and even animal prints on their nails. Those in the business of nails and nail color are profiting from the trend.

In a factory north of Los Angeles, glass bottles are filled, boxed and then shipped to more than 100 countries around the world. This is the home of OPI, a company that produces nail polish for women from the United States to Asia, from the Middle East to Latin America.

Suzi Weiss-Fishmann is executive vice-president and artistic director. She says women are getting more adventurous with their nails.

“You can really be kind of that conservative professional and wear blues and greens and any color and dark shades year round," she said.

Many women in the U.S. are experimenting with nail art.

“I was blown away by the nail art that I saw. I couldn’t believe it," said customer Judy Gabor.

Judy Gabor plans on getting glitter on her nails at Marie Nails, a salon where many nail artists are trained in Japan. Marie Ueno has salons in Japan and the U.S. She says nail art has been popular in Japan for a decade. It became trendy in the U.S. over the last few years.