By the end of the 1980s, over 125,000 Vietnamese refugees had settled in the United States, and word had spread among the close-knit community that nail salons were a viable business to earn a stable income and become self-sufficient.

The first US nail salon was opened in Manhattan in 1878 by a woman called Mary Cobb. Her $1.25 buff and shine manicures set her up as a successful female entrepreneur- a girl boss even!

Manicures and pedicures are both treatments for your hands and feet, but the difference between them is more than just a matter of size. A manicure involves trimming, shaping, and buffing fingernails; a pedicure typically involves exfoliating the skin on your feet before soaking them in warm water.

cos·​me·​tol·​o·​gist ˌkäz-mə-ˈtä-lə-jist. Synonyms of cosmetologist. : a person licensed to provide cosmetic treatments to the hair, skin, and nails : one trained in cosmetology : beautician.