US EditionCuban Women Embrace Extravagant Nail Art Despite Economic Hardships
HAVANA, CUBA, JUL 11 – Cuban women use detailed nail art as a key income source amid low wages and shortages, charging $10 to $40 per service in a struggling economy, experts said.
- On June 24, 2025, Mariam Camila Sosa showcased her SpongeBob-themed acrylic nails, which were meticulously crafted over several hours by a manicurist in a private salon located in Havana, Cuba.
- Cuban women embrace intricate nail art despite a deepening economic crisis, limited disposable income, and daily shortages.
- Marisel Darias Valdes, a manicurist in Havana, spends nearly six hours crafting acrylic extensions using expensive, imported products.
- Costs for services range from $10 to $40, while a monthly state salary is about 5,000 Cuban pesos , making nails a luxury.
- Nail artistry has become a key income source in Cuba's restricted private economy, with manicurists also using social media to attract clients.
34 Articles
34 Articles
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HAVANA — Cuban women are embracing extravagant nail art with many willing to spend the money to have extremely long and intricate nails despite the economic obstacles. While over-the-top nail designs have long been common elsewhere, in Cuba they stand out. This is because most Cubans have little disposable income and procuring the embellishments isn’t
Cuban women embracing nail art as escape from economic crisis
HAVANA — Despite Cuba’s economic crisis, many women are embracing elaborate nail art as a bold fashion statement. Manicurists like Marisel Darias Valdés treat it as an art form, creating intricate designs that can take hours and cost up to…
Cuban manicure Marisel Darias spent almost six hours fixing her client's nails.
Associated Press News
Cuban women embrace extravagant nail art despite economic hardships
Cuban women are embracing extravagant nail art despite the country’s deep economic crisis. Long, decorated nails have become a popular fashion statement, even as daily life is marked by shortages and power outages.
Despite the economic crisis in Cuba, many women have adopted the art of extravagant nails as a bold fashion statement. Manicurists like Marisel Darias Valdés consider this practice an art form, creating intricate designs that can take hours and cost up to $40, more than three times the average monthly wage.
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