The Beauty Pro Book Club: 4 Reads to Inspire Growth and Success
Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!
by Anne Moratto
Venezuela: Nail Industry is Still Young
As part of the international series, we take a look at the beauty industry in Venezuela.
by Staff
October 1, 20053 min to read
In Venezuela, beauty is big business. Venezuelan women take great pride in looking good. The country is reputedly the world’s biggest per-capita consumer of cosmetics and personal care products. Not only that, Venezuela is the most successful producer of international beauty queens. Over the past decade, the country has won four Miss Universe titles and holds the Guinness World Record for winning the Miss World competition the most times.
So it should come as no surprise that you’ll often find salons packed with women getting their hair and nails done. “The Venezuelan woman is accustomed to religiously getting a manicure and pedicure every 15 days,” says Mario Capone, general manager of Spa Manos, a chain of nail salons throughout the country.
A typical salon in the tropical South American country is usually full service. According to Capone, most salons offer hair services and may employ one or two nail techs, but nails are not the main focus.
Nail techs in Venezuela are not required to obtain a license to do nails, although many of them obtain certificates of class completion from manufacturers. Others may receive training from nail techs who teach out their homes.
It’s only been in the last five years or so that nails have been begun to come into their own, says Capone. Moe nails-only salons are popping up throughout the country, including salon chains such as Spa Manos, which has 20 locations and employs 85 nail techs.
“Hand and nail care Venezuela is becoming more professional. More and more clients are demanding quality services and they understand that this level of quality can only be offered by trained nail technicians who use good products,” says Capone.
Since looking good is such an important part of the Venezuelan culture, you’ll find women from all economic backgrounds in salons getting primped and beautiful. And don’t rule men out. Capone says that out of the 8,000-10,000 clients Spa Manos gets in a month, about 3% are men. The salon even offers a manicure and pedicures strictly for men.
French manicures rule and acrylics and gels are also quiet popular. Spa-style pedicures are especially popular among upper class women. And although women like their nails to look subtle, Capone says colored acrylic services are beginning to appear in some salons.
As with many other countries that do not require any licensing for nail techs, Venezuela’s nail industry faces the challenge of not having enough nail techs with the proper skills and techniques.
“The secret is training, training, and more training,” says Capone. “We need to keep working to justify to those people who are interested in furthering themselves in this career that it’s best to do through a company with experience that can offer them training.”
Acrylic nails are one of the most popular services in Venezuelan salons.
Venezuelan Nail Industry at a Glance
Population: 22 million
Area: 352,143 square miles (slightly more than twice the size of California)
Government: Federal Republic
Number of nail techs: 8,000 (est)
Number of salons 5,000 full service (est) 100 nails-only (set)
Licensing: No licensing required for nail technicians
Average Service prices:
Manicure: $3-$5 (USD)
Pedicure: $5-$8 (USD)
Full Set: $17-$20 (USD)
Fill: $12 (USD)
Popular services: Spa-style manicures and pedicures, acrylics, gels.
The word "nails" in the native language: uñas
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Business
Create a Salon Suite That Reflects Your Brand and Delights Your Clients
The most successful salon suites balance personality, function, and comfort. Megan Communale of My Salon Suite shares her best advice for designing a space that supports your business goals and leaves a lasting impression on every guest.
by Anne Moratto
Square's 2026 Local Economy Report Reveals the Neighborhood Network Effect
Square data shows that regular customers tip 11% higher and are shared across 32% of businesses in the same ZIP code, driving thousands of dollars in additional revenue per connection.
Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty
When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.
Sponsored by Amex
The Golden Touch: Luxury Service Helps Drive Loyalty at J Gold Salon
Inside the Systems That Power an Elevated Salon Experience From seamless online booking to a team-first culture, J Gold Salon in Atlanta offers more than great hair—it delivers consistent, high-touch service with the help of partners like Boulevard and American Express.
Sponsored by Amex
How to Build Career Connections in Beauty: Expert Networking Advice from K18’s Sabrina Sanborn
Want to grow your career as a beauty professional? K18 Sales Manager Sabrina Sanborn shares advice on networking, mentorship, and self-advocacy—from attending hair shows to finding the right guidance to reach your goals.
How Can I Minimize Cancellations and No-Shows?
A combination of clear policies, effective communication, and strong client relationships has helped me create a more reliable and efficient booking system.
Nailtorious Iconz Beauty Academy Announces the Rollout of its Professional Product Line
Founded by Cleveland serial entrepreneur Shaura Rodgers, Nailtorious has grown to include a nail supply megastore, training facilities, and retail line for nail techs.
Stylists Share Their Advice for the Post-Holiday Quiet Period
This period after the holidays can bring on a huge lull for hairstylists. We asked Cosmo Prof's team of professionals to offer their best advice on how to deal with the January-February slow period.
10 Housing and Interior Design Trends for 2025
Key highlights include a push toward inclusive spaces for all abilities, an emphasis on maximizing livable square footage, and a continued love for modern farmhouse exteriors.
Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express
The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.
Sponsored by Amex
6 Quick Tips for Building Financial Mastery
Want to become savvy about your personal finances, but don't quite know where to start? Anna Manukyan identifies six important concepts for building a strong financial foundation.
Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.
Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.
Sponsored by Amex
The Salon Today 2024 Technology Solutions Guide
This guide is your one-stop shop for a plethora of technology tools, software and services created to keep your salon or spa thriving.
Where Should My Money Live: An Account Breakdown
Anna Manukyan shares a breakdown of what different types of financial accounts should be used for.
Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business
Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.
Sponsored by Vagaro
Young Nails Biz Talk: Are You Getting Too Close to Clients?
Young Nails' Greg, Habib, and Tracey discuss whether getting too close to clients can damage your business.